LionChief Plus Mikado 0-27 Curves?

Nobody has an answer? Before anyone tells me to contact Lionel, they just told me 0-31 because that is what it says on the product page on the computer. 

I have the earlier TMCC version of the MIkado - it runs happily on 0-27.

MIKE

The draw bar on LionChief engines is what will give you the most difficulty negotiating O27 curves. It doesn't have as much range of movement as one would expect in a Conventional engine. Even it were truly rated for O27 the small gauge of the wires connected to the drawbar may not hold up well constantly moving through small curves. Especially if you are running on the tight curves you should check them periodically to make sure they aren't rubbing or getting hung up. I love the LionChief product but I'm not so sure Lionel should have ever made an inference these engines could handle anything less than O31. I'm changing out any O27 I might run LionChief on to O31. This is just an opinion based on personal observations from a guy who is pretty liberal in operating and best practices procedures.

I had wondered about the very point you made Matthew about the drawbar connection.

Going through Lionel catalogs, some of the locomotive types in LC+ came in train sets with 027 track. The Ballyhoo Circus set came with a 4-6-4 Hudson (19-1/2 inch length). Others not in sets with 027 track, are clearly stated as being able to negotiate 027 curves. When introduced in 2007 as a traditional Mikado (19 inch length), it is stated as minimum curve 027.

I personally do not have those locomotive types to know for sure. The traditional Berskshire will absolutely run on 027 curves. As will the diesel locomotives cominng now as LC Plus. The Geeps and RS-3's all clear 027 switches.

Years ago, I talked with a train rep at a dealers show and inquired about this: why locomotives that WILL clear 027 switches and run on 027 curves were now being advertised as 031 minimal curves. And I was told in so many words "There's a perception that 027 equates to toy trains. Even though some clearly full scale cars will run and clear 027 curves, the perception is still toy. Which is why were now trying to refrain from using the 027 term."

I for one wish that the catalogs were accurate about the ability to negotiate a minimal 027 curve meaning they will also clear the switch box housing. The new 2014 Industrial switcher and Dockside low end starter sets are all listed as 031 minimal curve. Anyone who's been in the hobby awhile knows these will easily run on 027 curves. And they are also obvioulsy toy trains - no mistaking those sets for anything else.

I realize some of this is marketing. FastTrack comes in all train sets. But while many products are listed in the 2014 catalog as minimum 031, others like all the separate sale rolling stock (pages 66-97 RTR) are listed as minimum 027.

Thanks folks. My concerns are not with 0-27 switches - threw those out and went with all Ross switches some time ago. 

Slightly concerned about the drawbar being the limiting factor. I was briefly able to put one through its paces last weekend but didn't even think to look at the drawbar but I remember it have a lot of swing. Perhaps I'm wrong. Just don't want to make a $350 screw up since I am buying the engine primarily to run on my 0-27 loop. 

I have looked at the drawbar spacing for all of the LC+ steamers.   The Hudson and Pacific have options for close-coupling (extra mounting holes on shank on the tender side).   They run fine on O-36 close-coupled.   So with the wider coupling, they might very well run on O-27, Mikado included.   But sorry I have no O-27 to test with to be sure.

I headed over to the Virginia Museum of Transportation to run trains. I'll take my son's Lionel Mikado and see if it will run on the O-27 there.

Scott Smith

Scott: Cool. Can you see if the drawbar appears to pose any issues?

Ken- So it is an adjustable type drawbar? That may work...

SJC:  not really an adjustable type drawbar.   The tender shell must be removed (easy) and the front truck removed (also easy) in order to reseat the drawbar closer. 

I have another thread here on the forum about that, let me see if I can link to that one.

https://ogrforum.com/t...54#33106235267820154

The insert link icon is not available to me at the moment, but clicking on the above link is working for now.

The VMT has O-27 track running through our kid level layouts. This should answer the question once and for all.

Scott Smith

Scott:

That answers that question...thanks "Like buttah"!