Fitting Menards and Lionel Rail Track Together O Gauge Trains

[@flybabyw6550]

Lionel made 027 and 0 gauge track. They will work for both trains as the width of the rails are the same. What I would recommend is when putting the 0 and 027 together, that the first tie of the connecting 027 be supported by a 1/4" pc of wood or plastic and the second tie being supported by a 1/8" pc which will provide a gradual transition support for the 027 coupling track when it meets the rest of the 027 track.

[@dimensions2and324]

Great. I like the shorter rail heights and smaller tie size of the 027 track. I think it is more realistic and doesn't distract from the trains as much. I like "0" gauge switches more than 027 so I am planning to combine them and add risers under the 027's ties to match them in height. Thank you for the video.

[@pourindiesel]

thanks for the comments!

[@WarnerVH]

It's been said below that you are mixing O and o27. But this is still useful. Also, as we know you can get conversion pieces of track too; but in a pinch this is possible.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for the comments!

[@areizman]

Menards is O, Lionel track shown is O27. Your video should be titled fitting O27 to O. If you insist on fitting O27 to O it's a lot easier to cinch the larger O holes tighter and insert the smaller O27 pins into the O rather than the reverse that you are doing. No matter what, I recommend building your layout with O and to not use O27 track.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Both are the same gauge of 1.25” but Menards, Lionel, K-Line and other O gauge taller track uses a thicker tube and thicker track pins. I’m building a new tubular only layout which I wanted 36” curves in and only Menards has 36” diameter. I have a lot of 027 track but since it’s such a hassle to mate O to 027 tracks I’m buying a bunch of Menards tracks.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for the comment and info! I also use a lot of Menards track.

[@douglasware1115]

The Lionel track is 0-27, Menards sells both 0-31 and 0-36 which are larger tubes and sit higher. The 27, 31 and 36 are the diameter circle each one makes. That's the way I understand it.

[@tman3022]

Lionel 0 and Lionel 027 have the same distance between the outside rails, and that is where the similarities end. Lionel 0 gauge track looks just like the Menards track, with black ties. You would have a problem putting a Lionel 0 and 027 track together as well. Sorry you're not comparing equals.

[@josephholtrop5535]

That’s my thought too.

[@penrodautorepair3170]

Lionel makes adapter track pins. From O gauge to O27 scale. That would be the proper way.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for the info and commenting!

[@penrodautorepair3170]

pourindiesel I’ll post the Lionel part number. I have to look it up.

[@penrodautorepair3170]

2948 010 Lionel part number

[@tomkletzel8495]

You are trying to mix apples and oranges! The Menard's track you show is O gauge and the Lionel track you show is o27 track. If they were both of the same gauge none of the work you claim necessary would be needed. Please know what you are talking about before giving advice.

[@crabbinmoose8583]

Hey Tom, these two tracks ARE actually the same gauge...."0" or zero gauge having the same space between the two outer rails. The "smaller" 27inch diameter track was simply designed during the great depression to accommodate "smaller scaled" equipment and tighter curves. It was made cheaper by reducing overall materials on both the rails and the ties. This was done in order to still be able to sell trains by cutting factory costs instead of raising customer prices. Interestingly enough, the cardboard center rail insulators never changed size or color when "027" line was first produced and neither did the width between the rails change to this day. Equipment wise, axles and wheel sizes of both "O" and 0-27 including the diameter and spacing from flange to flange stayed exactly the same. The main difference between the two types of 0 gauge rail itself is actually found in the (code) or total height of the rail from its head (top) down to the web (bottom) and also in the circumference of the pin tubes (upper tunnel shaped area of the rails where the wheel "tread" and center rollers of equipment makes contact with the rail. Zero-31 inch diameter track (also known as regular "O" gauge or high rail ) is tall and has a slightly larger circumference (tunnel) at the rail head, while the Zero-27 inch diameter track is shorter in overall height and has slightly smaller tubes and pins. This does NOT mean that 0-27 track cannot be made to work with (high rail) "O" especially where clearance or scaling is an issue.

[@alanloughridge1799]

Exactly!🙄

[@mikesmith3049]

Nice demonstration but you are trying to put Lionel O27 Track together with Menards O gage Track. The Menards track goes to together well with Lionel O Track. The Menards track is very similar but the plating is different but over time they tend to look the same. Your O gage switches being the 031 and 072 should match up. The 027/042 switches might be a little difficult since there is about 1/4" difference. In the process of building a layout with Lionel O gage track and O27 42" radios switches. Could not find them in O gage so will need to fill the void with some cutouts. BTW those who have searched eBay about a year ago. I bought up all of the O72 and O27-42 radius switches. There must have been a drop in the market 🙂

[@jackmeyers9291]

Your mixing two different sizes of track the taller one is "O" gauge and the shorter one id "O27"

[@larryarcher4502]

most people refer to the taller one is high rail better known as o scale the smaller one is o27 as somebody else said

[@johnchase7667]

As stated you have O and O27 track. Lionel made both. Menards track is O and is identical to Lionel O track.

[@pourindiesel]

Thank you for the info, and thanks for commenting!

[@wolfgangflywheel483]

Menards makes a adapter piece! No need to modify anything!!!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Menards track is the vest

[@opeyshop]

go to the welding shop and get some brass weld rod that fit in o gauge track, then cut to pin rail size little over inch then put drill press using a files turn one end it to o27 track pin then cut some wood to grade to rail height that so easy and look better

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for the knowledge and comments!

[@opeyshop]

the O27 can be used as 83 yard track and o gauge for main line which i do

[@pourindiesel]

Good idea on the 027 yard limits track

[@GfwTrains]

Very interesting. I did not know you needed to do any work to get them to fit together. Is the Lionel track "O" or O27?

[@lisachubrilo]

Trying to buy a train set to match o guage. Is an ho train set the same?

[@pourindiesel]

Negative. HO stands for 'Half O'

[@traintimeboy]

Can I make that same s shape in a closed circuit?

[@pourindiesel]

With enough track and room space anything is possible. Sometimes I will mount track in a vice and cut to create a custom length piece for a floor layout to meet up correctly.

[@jandrewmcmahon5334]

note! the me nards track is O gauge not o27. I found out the hard way that the Lionel Trussell only work with Lionel O gauge or Lionel o27 track. It has to do with the distance of the tie from the end of the track. Also where the bottom of the tie is bent up is higher on the Menard's then the Lionel thus not allowing the Menard's track to fit into the track plate on top of the Trussell Andy

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for the information

[@cliffordkiehl3959]

This presentation is incorrect and misleading for a new hobby'er . If you are trying to mate 027 track to O gauge track, Lionel sells a special pin that is two diameters. One side of the pin mates with O gauge and the other with 027.

[@lynnmiller8919]

O27 track is 027 track makes no difference who makes it. In this video he is matching 027 with Lionels old O gauge track. In the 50's, Marx was a competitor of Lionel and they both used 027 track at that point. It appears that Menards is now using the more popular 027.

[@scpvrr]

Menards track is NOT O27. It is the older O standard.

[@crabbinmoose8583]

Marx track came in 0-31 curves (for a larger diameter circle than lionel) but it was still the same small height rail as lionel "0-27" track, so you can have a double track line with 27in lionel track for the inner loop and 31in marx for the outer loop. BTW, marx track has cylindrical pins with sheared tips while lionel has "bullet tips" and the "T" rail is folded down (opposite of marx which is folded up into the web of the rail).

[@NewEnglandDukes]

It would probably work with Lionel 031

[@benztrainz9030]

menards track is NOT 027 menards track is O gauge track. lionel made 027 track and O gauge track. lionel O gauge track is EXACTLY the same size as new menards track...

[@pourindiesel]

thanks for the comment. Ben, it would be nice if you allowed comments on your videos as it will engage more viewers. I do appreciate your videos and knowledge!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

The only track I use is menards o gauge

[@spacetruckerrob]

The Menards track is O ! You need Lionel or K line O Scale tubular! O-27 is the same width as O ,but not as big! It was designed in the 70’s by Lionel for the starter sets! It was cheaper to build! Today only the Purists run O-27! I don’t know why Menards sells that track as 0-27!

[@pourindiesel]

thanks for the info Roberto!

[@Deadbuck73]

I’m thinking the 027 was designed much earlier than the 70’s... my locomotive from the early 50’s is an 027... all the track that was on my dad’s layout from the 50’s was 027...

[@spacetruckerrob]

Deadbuck73 Really I thought before MPC everything was standardguage!

[@DavesTrainsAndAutomobiles]

Too bad Menard's don't carry a nice selection of G scale track That's where I'm at..... great video.. Check out some of the trains I have on my channel

[@pourindiesel]

thanks for the comment. will sub

[@radioflowers]

some lionel track has the same design as the menards track

[@thespikeandrailproductions7902]

I’m not sure why you need to fit the two different sizes together. You said yourself Menards track is really cheap. This video just confused a lot of beginners with this mis information.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for commenting.

[@harryhenninglll117]

You need to pull your video stop and do your homework on what you are talking about. You are taking Menard O gauge track and comparing it to Lionel 0/27 track witch are not the same. Lionel made O gauge and 0/27 gauge track. Get some help from a professional that can show you what is right or explain it to you. This information will confuse lots of novice people like yourself.

[@pourindiesel]

Thanks for commenting

[@521batman]

Lot of unnecessary work

[@RenaissancePeopleNYC]

Menards is junk! The ties don't come to the edge so track clips can't be used. It is GARBAGE!

[@josephpolanin182]

I have had the same experience with track clips. I have started using 4in black cable ties and thread them through the little holes in the track. It takes a little longer but is even more effective than track clips.