O42 switches

GP38's with pilots on the trucks should be OK.  Pilots on the body of the loco could be a fiffernt matter.  Passenger cars:  check each type.  2-8-0's:  check each model.

If that Lionel switch is similar to the one in 031 curve size, you will be limited to running 17 inch passenger cars and SD-45 diesels because of the switch motor housing and trains trying to hit the housing.

 

Try to buy either an older K-Line(before Lionel) switch made for 042 or a Ross Custom switch in 042.

 

Somewhat off the main topic but RMT makes an 072 switch in the K-Line Super Snap track style, and the solenoid with wire hook-ups is mounted on the side.

 

Lee F.

Lionel # O42 switches are manual, switches that match traditional "O" gauge straights and curves (O31). They are equivalent to #O22 remote control switches.

 

There new Lionel 042 remote switches available too. I have a few here. Looks like just about anything could pass through them.

Rob

Lionel has been marketing some 0-42 switches that are identical, or nearly so, to the K-Line 0-42 switches. I don't know if Lionel is still selling those since the demise of K-Lionel.

I have never heard of an 042 switch being remote. Lionel 022 is remote.

Lionel made both manual and remote 042 switches. They use 027 profile track. I've had them on my layout for years with no problems. These are not the K-line ones.

  Ed

 

Pete

 

Texas Pete's picture is the old K-Line switch in a Lionel box. ACDX Rob's picture is an 0-27 profile switch, the original Lionel design. I don't know if Lionel is still making the K-Line style switches or not. The latest Lionel catalog I have handy (2011 v. 2) shows the 027/42 switch, but not the 42" 0-gauge switch. Only the 31" and 72" switches are shown in 0 gauge tubular. Lionel may have had to drop the K-Line switch when the K-Line marketing agreement expired. 

A Lionel 042 switch is a MANUAL switch Period..I don't know about after 1969.

Lionel made a wide radius 42" diameter Switch in 0-27 profile. Part # 5168. Just about everything sparks going over it because of lousy design. No indicator lights. Just the red and green flag which is easy to turn into a switch with a t shaped piece of brass. But why bother. Just get the low profile K-line version in either o-27 or o with tiny LED indicators.

Just so everyone knows what we're talking about:

 

Lionel O-27 model 6-65167(also known as 5167(R) 5168(L)) 42" Remote switch:

 

 

Lionel model 042 O-31 "O" switch:

 

 

There are lots of the K-line and K-Line by Lionel Remote 0-42 "O" Gauge switches available. Even some without the low profile motor. They are on e-Bay - Look uo K-line Switches.

There are lots of "o" but hardly any 0-27. Especially the low profile ones cause I have grabbed just about every remote one offered on the bay since Jan. even got lucky and found a few in Charles Ro bargain bin for less then on the e-bay. For that matter, everything in there bargain bin is usually a fraction of online prices.

I use what Texas Pete has-

Rob

That is the best switch for o tubular in my opinion. And it readily available. I just prefer 0-27 so I go with the brown o-27 version. Much harder to find in the low profile version because K-line only made for a couple of years.