Lionel Track Types

Lionel Track and Scale

• Model train track gauges are represented by single or multiple letters that correspond to the track gauge of the prototype tracks (real-life, full scale trains). The scale is stated as a ratio, which in the case of O-gauge is 1:48 scale, or 1/4 the size of the real-life version. In this scale, a 50-foot boxcar is reduced to 12.5 inches, and track spacing is shrunk to a width of 1.25 inches.

O-Gauge

• O-gauge has been around since 1915 and is produced in 5-, 10-, and 40-inch length straight sections and 27-, 42-, 54-, and 72- inch curves. O-gauge track is not a perfect 1:48 scale, which would be spaced at 1.1223958 inches if gauged accurately. It was adjusted to 1.25 inches for convenience. O-gauge track has a black metal tie fastening the three rails together and produces a 31-inch radius curve. Though all Lionel trains can run on both O- and O27-gauge tracks, larger and longer locomotives require O-gauge track to maneuver the curves. O27 and O-gauge tracks cannot be interlinked since O-gauge track rails are 1/8-inch higher (11/16 inch rail height) than O27-gauge.

O27-Gauge

• O27-gauge tracks are produced in 5-, 9-, and 35-inch straight sections as well as 27-, 42-, and 54-inch curves. It has a rail height of 7/16-inch, a brown metal tie that joins the three rails, and a curve radius of 27-inches (hence the name O27). The rail width is the same as O-gauge.

Fastrack

• Lionel Fastrack has straight track pieces produced in 1 3/4-, 4 1/2-, 5-, 10- and 30-inch lengths as well as curves manufactured in 36-, 42-, 60-, 72- and 84-inch lengths, and curve radius of 36-inches. Its main drawback is that unless there's insulating material (i.e. cork) between the track and the table, trains set up a vibration in the table which creates a lot of noise. Fastrack comes attached to gray roadbed material, which has realistic looking rock ballast between the rail ties.

Super O-Gauge

• Super O-gauge track was the precursor to Fastrack. It is incompatible with the other Lionel track types. It was introduced in 1957 as a realistic alternative to the tinplate track types (O- and O27- gauges). Super-O track had a brass center rail, brown plastic ties and metal reinforcing ties. Lionel stopped production of Super-O track in 1966 because it never really took off with train hobbyists.