best small locomotives for 027

Check Tandem and postwarlionel for images & details. They are not perfect, but are good internet resources.

 

 

My personal favorite for small engines is the mpc era lionel alco PA units. They took way more cars than I should have put behind them, however the buzzer horn was not the best. Nowadays I would say the lionel docksider would be my pick.

What about the 1946 0-27engine, #1666?  I bought one in 1947.  Reviewed in OGR Magazine Run 270 by Ed Boyle. Beautiful lines, great tender. It was the loco for a freight set I purchased at a local Firestone Store. Had it until 1952 when I went off to college and I sold it.  Repurchased one again just a few years ago.  This one I'll not be selling. Dick

I would suggest postwar Lionel 2023 and I have run them on several of my portable O27 layouts for many hours at a time with no issues. I would also suggest MTH Railking f3 engines. They are a compressed size but run very well through the O27 switches and look good doing so too!

I believe the OP says that he has one of these (1666).  I agree with you, a great little engine.  Mine runs like a sewing machine.    

Wow, I did not expect this level of interest or replies to this question.   I appreciate all the input and will review what has been written.  A little more info,  i have put up a small Christmas layout that will evolve into a temporary winter layout, up until March or April.  I am using 2 hollow core doors connected by a bridge.  One door has Ross switches and ross, Curtis and Gargraves track.  A wye turns onto the bridge.  The other door is all 027. A loop with a passing siding and reversing loop.  5 switches jammed into a small area.  I don't really expect to run more than a 3 or 4 car train of traditional size and small scale cars.  Given the small overall size, that is why I am trying to stay  with small locomotives that will successfully operate over the 027 switches.  Anyone have the small Atlas SW locos and do they work well on 027?  Lionel's camelback in Lion Chief looks interesting, but I will probably be disassembled by the time that comes out.  Were the track mobiles  made to pass  over switches well.  Those using the Plymouth switchers from Kline, don't they stall on switches much like the Beep?

I have a Williams by Bachmann O27 Alco set, basically a reproduction of the Lionel 2023 with two can motors, that I'd sell if you're interested.  They'll run well on O27, and they're smooth-running and powerful.  Let me know...

One of the better Vulcan switchers might work for you, the ones with the diecast frame and siderods.  My two go through switches just fine.  I believe Lionel even made a version with command control and electro couplers.

I have a Plymouth and a Porter and as cute as they are, mine don't smoothly run over my 027 back to backs. I also have an Atlas SW8 which does well through there, but I'm less than impressed with the sound that comes out of it's tiny speaker, if that matters to you.

 

Roger

Here's a Marx 666 and a Marx 1666. These have been repainted. They normally come in basic black.

 

Here's the Lionel Vulcan and NW-2 switchers (the good versions!).  Lionel remade these with command control in recent years.  I pulled these from ebay just now, both were around $100.  Shop around and you'll find them for less.

 

Never got the hang of the picture posting thing, but here is a pic of a PW 2023 ALCO.

 

They normally come as an A-A set, one powered, one dummy. But you can often find individual pieces at shows.

 

The pilot is fixed, resulting in the unprototypical coupler opening that lets it get around O27 curves. Of course, pilots that pivot with the truck aren't exactly prototypical either!

 

Hi Len,  when you open up the post reply look to the bottom for add attachments.  It has a green cross.  Click on that and look in your computer files for the photo.  Click on "open" and another window will come up.  Look for the check box by "insert photo/video in post body (large)" and check that.  That will blow it up in your post.  The last thing that I do is check "collapse attachments box at bottom of post."  Then submit reply.  Hope that helps.

 

And here is a 624 C&O NW-2 from the bay.  A little ragged, but it probably runs fine, and less than $100.

 

I was able to pick up a slightly used second example for $45 just a few months ago.  They truly are the best bang for your buck when you consider they look perfectly at home on an 027 layout yet are accurately scale.  Apparently there's even room for a little ERR magic if needed.

Bruce

Here is a picture of my Marx 1998 great running engine.

 

This is another Marx 1998 engine motor and frame with cut down Lionel SW-1 switcher body painted in B&N colors (Bauxite & Northern, sub of Alcoa in Bauxite, Arkansas).

 

It is a custom job with Lionel coupling on the rear and Marx coupling on the front to allow switching both types of cars.

 

If I can not find replacement Lionel couplings, I cut a coupling off a cheap plastic Lionel truck from a cheap Scout gondola, flatcar etc.  They do not operate but are easy to shim to height and bolt on with two nuts to keep from working off.

 

I have used this method to make trucks for a couple of built up set of Lionel 2400 series passenger cars. The 2400 have hard to get long arm couplings.  I cut the couplings off Scout trucks and bolt the couplings to the body and use the coupling less trucks on the cars.

 

 

 

 

They both run, turn and reverse very fast as they are small, light and have 2 way E units, (R, F, R, F etc.)

 

Charlie

I have two 1998s that run great and were cheap. I want to, somehow put Lionel knuckle couplers on  one of them to pull Lionel cars. Might repaint it, to. scale-wise they are closer to my Lionel steamers.

 I'm not too familiar with Marx but those 1998's are a neat little loco.  Can't say as I recall seeing them before this.

 

Bruce

Those Marx switcher locos are being sold new as rmt's bang. There are still some left if you go to rmt's website.

If you go with one of the Marx 1998, I would shy away from one if it has the Diesel Roar in it. I've never taken the shell off mine to see how it works, but near as I can tell, they put a bicycle wheel in there and put baseball cards in the spokes. It will drive you nuts in short order.

 

They are neat little units though. Instead of being a B-B truck configuration like they appear to be, they are really a 2-4-2 configuration, and look to use the same reliable motor that most of their steam engines use. I don't know how easy it is to convert them to knuckle couplers; both of mine have Marx plastic "scissor" couplers.

 

And finally a warning: Be careful buying Marx. I made the mistake of buying 2 Marx 6" passenger cars about 5 years ago. I probably own over 100 pieces now, and am probably buying more Marx tin than anything else O gauge. It really grows on you, and it's hard to turn it down because it's usually pretty affordable.

 

J White

 

for cheap at the shows or the bay, the K-Line MP15 diesels are nice. They're a bit smaller than the Lionel NW2, and have two motors. Pretty nice ones tend to go around $40.

 

Here's one for reference.

 

Anyone run the little Lionel#41 Army switcher over the switches etc ??  I have one but needs some gear work or something.  I like that little K Line. I bought a nice early Lionel GP7 at a good price, cleaned it up and it ran great but way out of scale to my steamers so I got rid of it.

Not a huge fan of diesels but this one looks cool I might have to look for one

The Army switcher uses the same chassis as the Vulcan, they will run fine over O-27 switches.  

 

RE gear work:  One thing that often gets lost when taking these apart is the very tiny ball bearing that sits at the end of the armature shaft.  They need that.  BTW, they are very noisy when running - they don't need a sound system!  

That's not the MP-15 switcher, that's the Alco (now made by RMT).  The MP-15 is larger, like the Lionel NW-2.  The MP-15 is one to consider though.  I have one that I slowed down by wiring the two can motors in series.  I also installed a MRC sound board in it.  Here's one.

Prewar 224E...can be had for around $50...shop around on ebay...has Baldwin wheels, but no smoke...with smoke, get a 675 or a 2035...small version of a Pennsylvania k4, but comes as a prarie...all three of these engines pull like champs, 10, 15 cars with no sweat...you will need to find post war tender to pull late model stock, as pre war has different coupler style...atlas industrial rail for nice 027 rolling stock...

thanks for the correction John. 

 

Tim

The small K-line switcher above is indeed now sold in a visually improved version as their "Bang". It has nice-looking pilots and a detail change here and there. Excellent graphics.

Couplers stick out too far.

 

I have one (NYC). I also have one of the K-line versions as shown above, plus

I have a pair of the original Marx ancestors of them both.

 

Actually, the only Marx DNA in the K-line/RMT version is the body tooling. Nothing

else about the modern ones was ever Marx. 

 

They are pretty decent high-end toy representations of an Alco S-4 switcher. I wish that

RMT had changed the gearing. Too zoomy.

Those K-line switchers could probably beat out a French TGV.  That's why I rewired my MP-15 motors to series from parallel - it makes it behave.

I've done the same with all of my K-Line Diesels. Late K-Line production actually included a DPDT switch underneath near the direction lockout switch to choose between parallel and series.

Makes a lot of sense, actually.  It takes almost no effort or cost and then you have it both ways.  

I have a Williams NW2 with the motors wired in series that works very well on my O-27 "infield loop." Goes through the switches in any direction flawlessly.

The k-line Alco converted to TMCC and rewired in series is a great little diesel. Same with the Lionel MPC NW-2.

All the diecast 0-4-0's and 2-4-0's are great little conventional steam switchers.

My favorites are the scale K-line 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 switchers in both command and conventional. Just MHO.
I also have a scale NW-2. Made by MTH I think. Looks nice but couplers need to be tweaked. Bad design causes the to open on curves.

Those PW Lionel 2-4-2 Vulcans and Turbines are utterly kool!   the old ones can be equipped with lights, using GOW bulbs....and some extra weight helps too.  Make sure you get one with the axle gear intact,  Some of these oldies wre not lubed properly, or at all, and burned out.   I lube mine up every year before use.  They are slow and somewhat noisey....and loaded with personality !   The newer incarnations with tires will pull better,  but watch that you don't fry the motor !

Someone made a great point about the old Lionel GP7-9 locos.  Usually great runners, they add tons of PW "feel" to any pike.   The WBB Geep is much the same but with a more modern chassis and two DC motors.  Wire in series for better low end.  The newer CC Lionel GEEPs have a pair of tires on the power truck for some added  T.E. and feature a more modern horn and reverse.   I like all three of these guys and have several of each.   The Atlas GPs  are tops for looks, but I don't think they'll do 027.

After working on the track for a few weeks and running some locomotives let me update my findings.  First I need a dope slap for not trying  the lower voltage range on my RW transformer.  Really improved the K-Line s2 speed. Still fast but so much better.  So far

the S2 has worked flawlessly on the 0-27 switches.  By far the best I have at this point.  of course the 1666 steamer works pretty good too, a occasional pilot issue.  The last one that I have been trying is the little 41 Army switcher.  This one is giving me issues when going forward through the switches.  The rear truck shorts and causes it to stop on almost every switch.  If I run it in reverse it works fine.  I have experimented by both pulling and pushing cars.  I've examined the trucks and can see a slight difference in the sheet metal design, so I am guessing that one truck was either replaced or a design changeover was made when it was produced. All 3 locomotives run fine on the 031 section of Ross switches.   i am greatly appreciative of all the input, and will be looking for some of the units suggested at some train shows in the near future.  I just wish it was easier to find Lehigh and New England or D&H  stuff.

 

Must be something not right with your #41.  I have that one along with a #51 and a #53 (with front coupler added), all 3 of which share the same chassis, and have never had problems with them going through 0-27 switches.  If nothing is obvious, take that front truck off and see what the engine does.  If that solves it, try replacing the truck with a different one.

Here is what I run on my layout, it's all postwar equipment including Lionel numbers, 675, 1666 and 2055. I am thinking of getting the MPC Lionel Pensy 0-6-0 for yard duty. If I don't get that I will probably find a nice ATSF NW2 diesel. O-27 Lionel switches digest all of those just fine.