Were post war engines made to run on O-31 track?

All postwar Lionel trains manufactured 1945-1969 will run on O-31 track and O-gauge (catalog #022) switches.  Most (but not all) of the trains can also run on O-27 curves but some longer cars and locomotives will hit the switch machines on O-27 switches so they won't work on an O-27 layout.

Post war . non scale will run on O-31

Ok that is what I was looking for. I didn't want to have to buy more track. Thanks John

You're going to be good to go with just about all Lionel Postwar and O-31 track. The only issues could be with longer locos like the GG1 or the FM Trainmaster. They should be OK but there might be some overhang. Also, if you have tunnels on your layout you have to make sure there is appropriate clearance.

@Radioman77 posted:

...wondering what engines (PW) won't run on them so I can avoid problems...

All will run on "O" track, but the 1654 will bounce badly on the 022 switches and will, like some other sliding contact equipped locos, sometimes lose contact with the center rail on 022 & 020X tracks tripping the E unit.

Thanks I'm glad my plans will work. As for overhang the biggest I have is a Budd car MPC I think. I have experienced the clearance issue with it, so I'm mindful of that. Now to finish the repairs to the room and figure out what plan will fit. John

While they will run on O31, if you are in the layout planning stages I suggest that you consider O42, O54 and O72 tubular curves - all were made by Lionel

@Lionelski posted:

While they will run on O31, if you are in the layout planning stages I suggest that you consider O42, O54 and O72 tubular curves - all were made by Lionel

Good advice that I myself learned here and have followed. Basement layout 2.0, while still using O27 tubular track, has only 42", 54" and 72" curves. No 27" curves other than in the yard where the switchers and freight cars will handle them fine.

thanks for the good advice. I don't want to buy more track unless necessary. I already have a lot of O-31 track. From what has been said with some good planning and trying things out it should work. Don't plan on O-27 curves in the mainline, might use in the yard and sidings. If I were to use O-42 or O-54 what switches would I use? I have several 022's that I want to use. John

If I were to use O-42 or O-54 what switches would I use?

There are many options.

-Lionel 022, 5123 & 5133, 65132 & 65133, 65166 & 65165, 5166 & 5165, 23010 & 23011, 711 & 721, 12080 & 12081.
-K-Line K375 & K376, K763 & K764, K775 & K776.
-RMT / Ready Made Toy RMT99764, RMT99763, RMT99775, & RMT99776
-O-Line Reproductions OLR604 & OLR605, OLR606 & OLR607.

Thanks now have a lot of thinking to do.  John