Turnouts for 027 Tubular Track

Lionel catalogued 042 remote switches in 1990,  they also has 042 and 054 track. Those were catalogued for a few years.  I don't know about 054 switches for the 027 type track.  Perhaps K-Line?

I use O27 track and have only found Lionel and K-Line making wider than 27" diameter turnouts, and they were limited to 42".  I like K-Line better because (1) they can be independently powered and (2) they come with lighted controllers.

I've heard that Ross or Gargraves switches can mate with lower profile O27 track and that they might offer wider diameter but have never investigated those options.

My engines will accept 054" radius. I was looking at 042" radius but decided against it because probably too tight for my engines to run through the turnout. I see that Ross and GarGraves sell mating pins for 027 track. But, will there be a difference in the height of the rails?

My guess is that you'll need to somehow lower the switch machine or raise the track.  Perhaps roadbed under your track but not the switch will do the job to get them to align height-wise. Just don't have any experience with Ross or GarGraves switches.

Have you confirmed that a 42" curve definitely will not work?

If your engine's or engines' minimum diameter is/are 54", you MAY be able to squeak them through a 42" turnout depending on the engine itself and the layout. A 42" diameter turnout heading into some straights may work while taking the 42" curve into more 42" curves connected together would likely not. An "S" of 42" curves as is often done for a siding could be a problem with that bigger locomotive.

Tough situation. I prefer the lower-profile O27 track to O but you're experiencing probably the #1 disadvantage of O27 track.....switch/turnout limitations. All of my engines handle 31" or 27" curves, so not a problem for me but that's a limitation I had to accept 20 years ago.

Gargraves switches drop in with 027 track. Its close enough to the same height, just use transition pins. Ross track is a little taller than gargraves, but if you took a belt sander to the bottom of the ties, you could make those work as well, or shim up the track a tad. Just use the transition pins to connect the switches.

My layout is all 027. I did a transition from a 5122 switch to MTH Scaletrax (not Realtrax) for a yard lead. I just soldered a short piece of tubular to the switch. Grinding and fine tuning was done once installed on the layout.

Don't know what is available anymore since MTH discontinued the track years ago. The switch machines are not the most reliable either.

Here are height comparisons between Gargraves and Ross switches vs Lionel 027 style track.  Minimal transition under the Lionel track required.  Ross are so smooth, while Gargraves are also readily available on eBay at reasonable prices.  But without controls - add a Caboose Industries throw for manual control.

Im using Lionel, K-Line, Marx, Gargraves, and Ross on my layout - whatever I could get at auctions and estate sales.

transition track pins from local model RR shop

Ross vs 027 above

Gargraves vs 027 above.

Thank you to all who replied. Very helpful!