Is there any LionChief Diesel or Steam Locomotive that will run on O27 tubular track on a layout with 27 inch curves?

[Rsdavis]

I know Lionel basically states that from my research that every Lionchief capable diesel or steam locomotive requires O31 fastrack and a minimum 31 inch curve on your layout. I have a layout which uses O27 tubular track and has 27” curves. I have run GP9 diesels (Union Pacific Powered and non Powered Lashup set) which are 14.5” from coupler to coupler with no issues but these are not LionChief capable. Are there any options for a LionChief capable engine to run on my layout. Changing my layout to O31 Fastrack is not an option. I have limited space in my apartment and is not an option. I like the LionChief control concept with sounds and would like to get a diesel or steam locomotive.

 

[Bruette]

Welcome to our forums, I am always happy to see another O gauge railroader!

This is one of those topics where the “Lionel O‑31 minimum curve” label tends to frustrate many O‑27 operators. Mainly because the reasoning behind it has more to do with marketing and standardization than with actual mechanical limitations.

Lionel’s modern product line is built around FasTrack, and the smallest FasTrack curve is O‑31. From a marketing standpoint: “Minimum curve: O‑31 works on all FasTrack layouts.

Most modern locomotives have more detail and overhang. Even some small LionChief locomotives have:

• Larger pilots
• Longer drawbars
• More overhang

These can bind on O-27 curves.


The good news is there are several LionChief locomotives, both diesel and steam that will run on O‑27 curves, even though Lionel lists them as O‑31.

LionChief steam switchers like the 0-8-0 will run on O-27. Even small locomotives with pilot trucks can sometimes cause issues. They will work if the wheelbase is short enough and the track is smooth, especially at the joints. Track switches can also cause problems.

Short wheelbase LionChief diesels like the GP series and switchers will work on O-27.

I'm sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer. I don't use O-27 track. You could try the O gauge railroading online forum. I'm all but certain you will find operators who can give you firsthand knowledge of LionChief locomotives that will work on O-27.

Let us know what you end up running and we love photos!

 

[Rsdavis]

Thanks for the reply. I will check out that forum to see if anyone has listed any locomotive models that are compatible with O27 track and 27 inch curves. Would be nice to have an ongoing list since I imagine there are some modelers out there who have small layouts who might want to run Lionchief.

 

[Rsdavis]

I have a pretty good list of diesel engines and steam locomotives I have run on O27 track and 27 inch curves. I have no switches in my layout so I can not speak to the issues the engines might have so keep that in mind. I have a basic layout.

These are the engines I have and tested:
- Alco Diesel (6-18922, 6-18923, 6-11707)
- GP-9 Diesel (6-18569, 6-18657, 6-18817, 6-11956)
- GP-7 Diesel (6-28536, 6-18840)
- GP-30 Diesel (6-28839)
- GP-38 Diesel (2034200)
- F3 ABA Diesel (Menards 2759144, 6-18115)
- FT ABA Diesel
- H12-BE 44 Diesel
- H12-44 D/C Switcher
- NW2 Switcher (6-82163)
- 0-6-0 Dockside Switcher
- 0-8-0 Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 2-8-2 Mikado Jr Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 2-8-4 Berkshire Jr Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 4-4-2 Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 4-6-4 Steam Locomotive and Tender
- 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive and Tender

You need to have good clearance on curves due to engine overhang. Also I did have two low hanging parts on one steam locomotive which were mounted via a screw that needed to be removed to deal with milk car platform clearance. Figured the two parts were mounted via a screw should you need to remove based on layout. They were small pieces and not noticeable if removed.

I have three sections of operating track and no issues with the track. You just need to make sure your layout board is flat and level or you will had issues with these track sections. Engine will stop due to pickup rollers not hitting center rail at track connections.

As far as rolling stock anything over 13 inches is pushing the limits and just looks dumb. Also flatcars or low riding rolling stock should Be kept to under 12 inches.

In general any engine over 14.5 inches long or engines with more than two trucks or more than 4 wheels per truck is pushing the limits on 27 inch curves. Clearance on 27 inch curves is important with these larger engines. O27 Switch clearance will be issue however I believe K-line switches work well. Also short or long drawbars between locomotive and tender can create an issue.

I believe Lionel is still using tooling from the above engines that they made decades ago that ran on O27 track and is why they still do today even though the claim O-31 min curve on their product pages. Plus I do not think they want to test on tight 27 inch curves.

Disclaimer:
I can speak for all engines of type above will work on 27 inch curves but I have had luck with those.

 

[Michael B]

Could you please post a pic of that 0-8-0 on one of your turnouts?
Also, a pic of your layout which you did all the testing on?
We love photos...

 

[Bruette]

I have a pretty good list

That is an understatement, you have an extensive list!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[Rsdavis]

Could you please post a pic of that 0-8-0 on one of your turnouts?
Also, a pic of your layout which you did all the testing on?
We love photos...

Probably be easier to just show you a video of my train walls and what I have run on my modest layout or test track. The video Train Walls has all the locomotives and rolling stock I have run on my modest layout.