Standard gauge track pins/track plier question?

Ron, the pins and rails are the same.  I learned this by making 5 rail track (O and Standard gauge combined).

O gauge track pliers work fine.  I am looking for a set that slightly crimp the sides of the rails for better retention of the pin.  Maybe someone can help us.

Good luck with Standard Gauge , it is extremely addicting.

Bill

Just regular linemans pliers work well for pulling and pounding in pins with the flat side.  I use a pair of wire stripping pliers with a skinny point to pinch tracks.  Basic tools work fine.  You don't need anything fancy.  Same tools for wiring.

The only pliers I am aware of that have the "barb" on the underside are made by the same guy who makes the Ttracker tool. No website, you have to e-mail him.

Steve

William 1

Thanks for the idea of crimping with the wire strippers.  Too simple and logical of a solution for my brain to comprehend.

Bill

Thank You Papa Eastman, I just sent a email for availability and pricing, will post here once I have it. 

Who's track Pliers do you use?

Steve,

I was thinking of yours where you squeeze and crimp in one step.  Mine don't have the barb so they only squeeze.

RonH posted:

Thank You Papa Eastman, I just sent a email for availability and pricing, will post here once I have it. 

Who's track Pliers do you use?

Ron

I use the ones from Ttracker. Had them for years.

Steve

I hear you drill the linemans  pliers,

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Thank You Papa Eastman, I just sent a email for availability and pricing, will post here once I have it. 

Who's track Pliers do you use?

Ron

I use the ones from Ttracker. Had them for years.

Steve

Ron,

I'm just a old phart, too. My Ttracker have been my partner longer than I can remember. You won't regret spending a few dollars more.

Seal Beach Bill is correct with the pins being the same.  The problem some people run into is trying to use 0 and 027 together.  027 was designed for cheap inexpensive locos made around 1925-1935 when Lionel & American Flyer acquired Ives, who produced the lower standing 7/16" rail height & lighter steel track,  0 track is 11/16" tall and the pins measure 7/64" compared to 027 pins at 3/32".  There are four rail tracks that were produced by American Flyer, and the only legitimate 5 rail track was made by Hoge Mfg. co, in 1935 for the "Shovelnose Streamline 900", which needed the two extra rails for (1) bell & (1) buzzer, and the extra rails were brass strips standing upright.

Standard O and standard gauge are the same pins.  O27 are different.

Bringing up an old thread here. It answered my question about O gauge and Standard Gauge pins being the same. I'm wondering if someone can identify the pin shown on the bottom in the photo with the pointed ends and the little tab staked into it.  I have a handful of these mixed in with the others.  Are these the original pins that came in very early Standard Gauge track ? Any advantage to having that little locking tab ?

Thanks in advance..

Gerry

On a side note I found it interesting that Lionel offered a set of factory made track pliers in their post-war catalogs. I guess I always assumed it was a tool that was  developed later on by aftermarket companies.  This page is from 1955-56 and shows the different features it had.  I don't think I have ever seen an original pair for sale. 

(EDIT: I used the old Lionel part number to search Ebay...found an original pair for $245 plus shipping. Guess I'll be using the ones I have. )

Flyer "O" / "Wide Gauge" would be my guess...

ADCX Rob posted:

Flyer "O" / "Wide Gauge" would be my guess...

I agree with Rob. Seen quite a few like it with my early Flyer.

Steve

For track tools try https://www.tinman3rail.com/?page_id=267

They have the pliers and tools to repair the track and also the ties which have bent, along with pins new and used, insulators and stainless steel pins for sale!

Well I was about to concede that Rob and Steve were right about them being AF pins but I opened up a very original 347 set I have in the master box and every piece of track has those pointed pins with the tab. I doubt that anyone would have pulled out all the pins at some point and replaced them with AF pins so now it's got me again thinking Lionel also used these pins during certain years. I'm still open to changing my mind if someone can indicate otherwise. 

I can't speak as to AF using those pins but Lionel definitely did. I inherited  my father's Lionel O gauge from the 1920's, he didn't have any Flyer, and the pins were in the track and 106 bridge. They are tinned and the tab is nice as the pin won't rotate. Actually nice pins to use, the drawback is the sharp point.

It finally happened.

The world is actually ending...  we are discussing/studying track pins.

I'm just kidding.  Talk about whatever you want.  It's just slightly hilarious to me, as my local group here often kids about such conversations actually occurring.  Never thought I'd see the day.  

Ives1122 posted:

 It's just slightly hilarious to me, as my local group here often kids about such conversations actually occurring.  Never thought I'd see the day.  

And now you are a permanent part of this conversation!

Hmmmm, Nation Wide you just let us know you're a pin perfect one!

Gerry - every piece of wide-tie Lionel SG track that I have, has those pointy “flag-pins”, as I call them.

Would love to find a source for them.

Fran McM.

I'll sell you some for 25 cents each.  How many do you want ?

I think those pins must have been standard until Lionel invented the pins with the round groove, I guess some time in the 30's.

I have my uncle's 10 E set that as made between 1928 and 1930.  the original rack in the set had only that type of pin.  Some Standard gauge track that I bought later at a train show had the conventional pins with the groves.

I've looked through Greenberg and other reference books that I have and cab't find anything about track pins.