Transitioning 0gauge tracks

Email your parts dealer and request "O27 to O31 tubular track adapter pins".

Gargraves mating pins will work in a pinch.

The major problem is track height, and the thickness of the tubular steel.  027 is 7/16” tall, versus 0 at 11/16” tall.  The holes for the track pins are both different, and it doesn’t give a good electrical connection, even if you can find the transition type track pins.  It’s more grief than a good solution.  The track height would require shimming also.  It’s your call!!

Susan, you list part #s,lionel,mth,atlas? Also was going to use ho cork road bed or cedar shims at turnouts. Teledoc mentions track material thickness and now I'm concerned about my locos with traction tires. Would they be cut even if I sanded across them?

The 027 track was created during the Ives- Lionel transition, following Lionel’s takeover.  Lionel started making smaller inexpensive locos (Winner Line; Lionel Jr.; Lionel-Ives), that ran on 027 track.  They found it could be made with thinner steel, and in a lower profile (7/16”), quicker and cheaper, as compared to the 0 Gauge Track.  

Thanks for your input. Any takers for 110 pieces of 027 and 3pair of switches? Lol 

The theory is spot on with thickness of the metal in O being a few thousandths thicker. But I ran for a few years without loss of a tire. The sharpness of edges is more the concern. The rubber will just compress then ride up a rounded edge.

  I don't feel the bump is much different from the flair old track developes on the tubes if it's "old Christmas track" disassembled often.

Beveling the O size would help.

I think it was smoother to close the O down, but harder to do as the metal is thicker.

Driving an O pin into 0-27 can create a bumb in the rail. It's better to spread the web and work only the outer portion of a rail (center only needs a smooth top.)

I didn't shim or fasten the track down either. Making sure the pin is secured tightly in the O, the shorter 027 "hangs" on the pin keeping the top smoother. I also very lightly curved the pin towards the ground.

Why bother?  Because it was on hand

On a layout with nicely secured track, shims, and wire drops; no pins are needed. (plugging ends with just about anything would firm ends enough there should never be a collapse that missaligns).  Using adapter pins on fastened track with wire drops should be no issue.

I guess it boils down to form or function. Function is my only concern. 

K line made wide radius O27 track. Or just transition to Gargraves or ross, available in any radius you’d need, which is the same height as O27 so there’s no shimming requires. 

Dont see why you would want to convert between o27 and standard o, there’s better options out there.