How much you want to bet

Since Lionel was aware of the issue I would think that they have corrected the loco so it will travel around 031 curves otherwise they would have corrected the catalog.

you can't expect a almost scale engine to go around O31. The new one you are ordering will not go around O31 this time either. 

You should have learned your lesson the first time no matter what the catalog says. 

 With the exception of Lionels "k line tooled steamers"Lionel "reruns" are almost always made with the same tooling. If it was o-36 last time theres 99.99% chance it will be o-36 this time. Most of the catalog descriptions are copy and pasted from previous catalogs and there are numerous errors in every one.

Refunds are costly, so my guess is they have no desire to go through this again with you or anybody else.

The first scale Lionel Trainmaster was in FM demo paint scheme and then they produced a DLW RR model. Both these would take O31 but they single axle drive. The Wabash has 2 powered axles but needed O36. Who knows what the 2014 version will do.

i could not agree more! instead of the loco ,buy some 072 curve track to run it on,-jim

I would not even consider running a scale or near-scale Trainmaster on anything less than O42…for appearance sake if for no other reason.  

The MTH Trainmaster I have on preorder (FM Demonstrator livery) is also cataloged for O31, but when it gets here it'll be run on O42.

They don't care.  It only affects people with less than O36 and they use the returns for parts that they need and sell for more than the locomotives themselves.

Lionel is discontinuing their tinplate O-27 ant O-31 track, They make Fastrack O-31 and switches, but I suspect that will be used mostly for upgrades on older layouts.

Good riddance!

I have a box of 70+ pieces of Lionel 'O' gauge track available (more straight than 031 curves) for $35 if anyone is interested. Also some 90 crossings. There is no shortage of it out there...

OK, since no one else has actually responded specifically to your question, I'll bet $1 that it won't run on 031.

Gilly

Gilly and RickO - I came to the same conclusion and cancelled the order. Ordered a MTH Imperial J 4-8-4 instead - not scale but looks good on youtube.

The RK Imperial J is an absolutely beautiful model. I think you'll be very pleased with it. If you really want a Train Master, the WbB will handle 031. Not command control, but they're good, simple (and inexpensive) pullers.

Gilly

did you email mike reagan directly?  that is his department now, product development.

Actually I did email M. Reagan but never got a reply.