Any O-27 or traditional O-gauge Layouts?

I use both. 027 in the center and o31 on the outside.

My layout is about 9 X 12, in sort of a triangle or a "P" shape. The inner track is O-27 profile, 54" tubular track from K-Line. The outer loop is O profile O-72 tubular track.

 

No switches, so everything runs fine, except for the time I tried to run a two rail Mountain on it.

My layout  is a traditional, conventionally controlled pike.

 

I have an elevated loop that uses 027 track, with the curves Marx 034.

You'll see that in the back of the picture where the elevated loop passes the AF

Union Station.

 

My main-line uses 036 Fastrack, with one loop of K-Line 031 Super K track.

 

 

Ken

My O27 layout. 

i run good old O27 with 1121 switches on 2 ikea desks in a L shape. it's pretty busy, i kinda want to tone it down a little but i don't know how lol

The PRND&L uses O27 profile track, with O34 (Marx) and O42 diameter curves and O42 switches. 

 

 

 

0-27 track, but 42 and 54" curves.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm running conventional with Realtrax and 4 loops O31 and O54, 2 main level loops and as an homage to the Lionel showroom layout an upper level dogbone and a "subway" level.

 

I use 031 for my Christmas layout, and 027 for my portable door layout.  I just don't have the space for larger layouts with wider curves. (But I wish I could do both!! LOL!!)   I run postwar, MPC, and modern Lionel as well a smattering of K-line, MTH, and Williams.   I experimented with Atlas 036.  I think it's great track and liked the 036 diameter, but I prefer the tin plated steel track for magnetraction, and the 031 fits better with my space issues.

 

Rick, Mpls.

I use O27 with O42 curves.  I run conventionally and with TMCC and run both Postwar and TMCC equipment. 

 

 

Yep, 027 all the way for the 3-rail portion, with curves of 034, 042, 054 and 072.  An American Flyer loop uses GarGraves track.

I have an 8x20 layout which has three inter-connecting loops, two of which are 072 and the third along with a rail yard facility is 031.  Everything is Lionel tubular track which I have ballasted, weathered and installed track ties.  I operate with TMCC but also run conventional as well.  I love running my post-war engines and rolling stock.

What a fantastic layout!! Any more pics?? Nice work!

Most of my layout is O-27 profile tubular track, in 27" and 42" diameter curves. However, I do have some Fastrack where a 36" curve fit the available space better.

 

a 3x3 027 layout (no excuse you can't do O in a small space!), some things have been added since this photo was taken, and yes I'm aware the locos derailed in the picture. This was taken just after they layout was reset up after a 10+ yr absence.

basically that Marx crossing gate has been relocated to the lower right hand corner with a Gateman in it's place, some Kline signs have been added as well

green painted plywood. O27 tube track. Pre&Postwar Lionel,Marx,except for one lone MTH M1a and a WBB J class.And Plasticville and Marx buildings in my crappy basement.

 

Roger that!!  This is an extremely well done layout!!

 

Posted by trainsRMe:

 

 

 

AMCDave and Wood, thank you for the kind comments.  They are much appreciated, coming as they are from "peers" in this hobby.  The layout is 8'8" X 15'3" and represents three months' work, exclusive of the framework itself.  Here are some fresh photos.

Thanks for the additional phots.....looks even better....really like the above shot. Thx

I saw your Frosty Bar posted a few days ago.  I like the way you grouped and enhanced the Plasticville structures on your layout.

 

 

Three months worth of work.  You're a busy man...  It is very nice.  Good size but small enough to finish with complete detail.  I sometimes get frustrated with the size of my layout because it takes a long time to complete the table.  Mine is approximately 18' X 18'.  But, it is always one step at a time and I so enjoy working on it.  My emphasis is to detail the layout and I am making good progress.  But, no way will it be finished in three and a half months... LOL

Again gents, thanks.

 

Wood, that's a good-sized endeavor you're undertaking there.  It sounds like you're working on each step to completion on the whole layout.  Some in-progress photos of your efforts would be of interest here, I'm sure. 

I was reading in these post about larger O-27 curves..... I have so 42" and have heard of Marx 34" ( I understand it's rare these days) but is there a source for NEW O-27 profile in 54 inch and 72 inch curves?  I have to make a choice on a new track style since I lost the Atlas O in the divorce...

Norfolk and Way posted:

I was reading in these post about larger O-27 curves..... I have so 42" and have heard of Marx 34" ( I understand it's rare these days) but is there a source for NEW O-27 profile in 54 inch and 72 inch curves?  I have to make a choice on a new track style

Yes, there are multiple choices in O27 profile track radius.  It is available from any LHS or on the internet.  Lionel made this track in O27 radius, O42 and O54.  It is also available in individual 9" straight lengths or in 36" straight length.  You can buy it brand new or used and it is available in abundance at very inexpensive prices.

In regard to larger diameter curves I believe K-Line made some O72 and I do not know about Marx but a simple search should give you the information.

I personally love the track for very sentimental reasons.  It was my childhood track.  I also like it for very practical reasons.  It is extremely durable.  Has excellent conduction qualities.  It is easily modified, with a dremel tool, to any length you need.  It is slightly flexible to mate in smaller or larger radius.  It is easy to mate with Gargraves and Ross switches.  (I had nothing but trouble with the Lionel O27 profile switches.)

The major downside is if you are seeking to enhance it's appearance with ties you only have the choice of 3RPlastics.  They are nice but considerably larger then other stock track ties found in Gargraves, Atlas, etc.  I have used the 3RPlastics and I am comfortable with the look.

TrainsRMe posted:

It sounds like you're working on each step to completion on the whole layout.  Some in-progress photos of your efforts would be of interest here, I'm sure.

You nailed that one exactly.  I started my layout in the traditional way with a Christmas layout of my childhood trains for my Grandchildren.  I made the mistake of typing "lionel" into eBay and found 10,000 postings.  The 1950's era trains never went back in their boxes.

The beginning was an "operating layout" and I went from a 4x8 32 sq. foot sheet of plywood to my current 18' x 18" layout with roughly 300 sq ft.  I decorated with accessories and built some industrial areas and towns.

Then I made my second mistake and joined this forum.  I was blown away by the artistry, craftsmanship and plain fun people were having here.  That is when I got serious about modeling.    I have posted several times about my progress and rather than putting up a bunch of pics already presented, I have listed some of the threads.  Just click below and you can see what I have done.

100 ton Coaling Tower:

https://ogrforum.com/t...00-ton-coaling-tower

Elevated Main Lines:
 
https://ogrforum.com/t...-elevated-main-lines

Slowly upgrading my Toy Train Layout:

https://ogrforum.com/t...g-a-toy-train-layout

I am in the process of re-designing the middle of three separate platforms for my trains.  Tracks include Lionel 0 gauge tubular and also 027 and some Gargraves.  There are 8 trains running simultaneously along with a trolley

Having some trouble attaching my photos....

Photos

Photo at night

so wonderful to see so many great layouts, don't see much of these in the magazines anymore. I am continually surprised at how many people like myself use O27 track.

Great pictures guys of what you can do with 027. I grew up using 027 since I was 5 years old. Great memories. 

 

Wood, we have to get together again and run some trains.

Very nice GG-1fan.  Being a member of the Crappiest basement society, I especially like the nice train room. 

 

Thank-you, Wood, for the compliments, but if you could see that part of my basement now with my re-designing of the layout, it might give you a run for the crappiest basement around.  This generally happens twice a year anyway because I take the layout down completely every year and replace the space with furniture for our Super Bowl party.  But this time it will different:  It will be there to stay and the party can go upstairs!  Just getting too old to climb under tables anymore to do wiring.

More detailed pics

...

Great looking layouts y'all, even those in crappy basements. 

It seems like everyone is having fun and that's what counts, right?

I suppose I should show my layout since I started this thread. At 39" x 80", it's not as big or impressive as most shown here but it's still fun!  lol

While the pictures show Marx trains, I also run postwar Lionel, plus a few pieces of MPC stuff. I don't run these Marx tin trains along with the Lionel stuff though. The scales are too far off. lol

My layout is 1950ish, for the most part, using o gauge tubular track and many Plasticville buildings. I have some O27 track on the trolley loop. Much of my track dates to my original layout...1954. Most rolling stock is PW or MPC, with a relatively small amount of newer or foreign items.

Very nice layout indeed. What really impresses me is "three months of work"??? My hat's off to you. It's taken me three months to finish a few buildings, and that was working on them almost every day. Of course if I could turn out that layout in even 6 months............... What would I do next.......

Yeah, interesting comments, Charlie.  Retired at the time, I worked on the layout 9 hours a day, much to my cardiologist's consternation.  I blame that drive on the fact that I worked in manufacturing for 34 years:  Everything was rush, rush, keep caught up, get it done.  Sometimes though, I remember my granddad, who worked slow and steady.

 

Buildings didn't take up any time.  They are mostly Plasticville or Marx, and the rustic home was built of fireplace matches years ago by my son and a friend.  And of course things have been added to the layout since.