What Gauges are Most Lionel Trains?
by Mike Brey / Bob Aberman
What's Gauge?
Gauge is the width of the track. Only trains that fit the track will run on it.
What's The Difference Between Gauge and Scale?
Scale size of the model, relative to the real thing. Gauge is the distance between the rails. For more on that, read this article: A Word on Gauge and Scale.
Which Gauges Are Most Lionel Trains?
Most Lionel trains run on two similar, related track gauges: O gauge and O-27 gauge.
What's the Difference?
Curves in O-27 gauge are tighter than in O gauge. That means that some of the very longest O gauge cars and locomotives are too long to turn the tight corners of O-27 gauge layout. All O-27 gauge cars and locomotives will work on O gauge track.
Lionel trains and track come in different gauges. Lionel O gauge and O-27 gauge trains are our most popular. We also sell S gauge American Flyer trains, which are slightly smaller, and G (garden) gauge trains, which are slightly bigger. When shopping for a train or train set, be sure to choose products that are designed to work together. Usually that means they need to be the same gauge.
If you're new to model railroading, you might be wondering, "What exactly is Gauge?" That's simple. Gauge refers to the distance between the outside rails of your track. (Your train's wheels roll along these two rails; the third, or "inside," rail is for power.)
O and O-27 gauges
Lionel manufactures two kinds of three-rail track -- Lionel O-27 gauge and Lionel O gauge. Both are actually the same gauge -- 1 1/4 inches between the rails -- but serve slightly different needs.
Lionel O-27 gauge track makes tighter curves than O gauge. Assemble O-27 curves into a circle and you get (surprise!) a 27-inch diameter circle. If your railroad has limited space, choose Lionel O-27. It's value-priced, offering various curves and crossovers as well as manual and remote-control switches. O-27 comes standard in all Lionel ready-to-run starter sets.
Lionel O gauge track comes in wider curves for bigger trains and layouts. The smallest circle it can make is 31 inches in diameter. O gauge also has a slightly taller profile for deeper wheel flanges. Lionel O gauge is designed to fit virtually all Lionel locomotives and rolling stock, including scale-proportioned pieces. Some larger Lionels will run only on O gauge track.
Gauge vs. scale
As you now know, gauge refers to track size. Scale, on the other hand, measures the size relationship between a model and its real-world prototype. For example, a Lionel locomotive that is 1/48th the size of the real thing is called 1/48th or 1:48 scale. (As it happens, O gauge trains are 1/48th scale.) Sometimes the terms "gauge" and "scale" are used interchangeably even though, technically, they're different.
Other gauges
Lionel has been making toy trains for a century, and we've manufactured products in a number of different gauges:
2-7/8-inch gauge: Joshua Lionel Cowen's first train, The Electric Express, ran on 2-7/8-inch track. Lionel made trains in this gauge between 1901 and 1905.
Standard gauge: In 1906,Cowen announced his new "standard gauge" (2-1/8 inches wide), which Lionel manufactured until 1939. (
OO gauge: Lionel OO gauge is 1:76 scale and very close in size to HO. It was manufactured by Lionel between 1938 and 1942.
HO gauge: At 5/8 inches wide (with a scale of 1:87), HO is exactly half the size of O gauge. Lionel made HO gauge from 1957 to 1967. (It's the most popular gauge on the market, but a bit small for young hands.)
Other gauges in use today include:
TT (Table Top): TT is 1/100 scale and (we've heard) popular in Russia.
N Scale: N is 1:160 scale and the second most popular scale after HO.
Z scale: This is the latest gauge from Europe, with a scale of 1:220.
Used with permission. Copyright (c) 2000 Lionel L.L.C. Copyright (c) 2012 Brey Corp. t/a Hobby Works.
As an avid model railroading enthusiast with a deep knowledge of Lionel trains and their various gauges, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article "What Gauges are Most Lionel Trains?" by Mike Brey and Bob Aberman.
Gauge and Scale Distinction: The article begins by explaining the fundamental concept of gauge, which refers to the width of the track. Only trains that match the track's gauge can run on it. The distinction between gauge and scale is then clarified. While gauge pertains to the distance between the rails, scale denotes the size relationship of the model to the real thing. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding both gauge and scale when selecting model trains.
Popular Lionel Train Gauges: The primary Lionel train gauges highlighted in the article are O gauge and O-27 gauge. Both gauges have a track width of 1 1/4 inches between the rails. O-27 gauge has tighter curves compared to O gauge, making it suitable for layouts with limited space. The article advises that O-27 gauge cars and locomotives work on O gauge tracks, but the reverse is not always true due to the tighter curves of O-27.
Additional Lionel Train Gauges: The article briefly mentions other Lionel train gauges, such as S gauge (American Flyer), which is slightly smaller than O gauge, and G gauge (garden) trains, which are slightly larger. It emphasizes the importance of choosing products with compatible gauges when assembling a train set.
Track Size and Characteristics: Lionel manufactures two types of three-rail track—Lionel O-27 gauge and Lionel O gauge. O-27 gauge track forms a 27-inch diameter circle when assembled into a circle, making it suitable for layouts with limited space. O gauge track has wider curves for bigger trains and layouts, with the smallest circle it can make being 31 inches in diameter.
Gauge vs. Scale Clarification: The article reiterates the difference between gauge and scale, highlighting that gauge refers to track size, while scale measures the size relationship between the model and its real-world prototype. It uses the example of O gauge trains being 1/48th scale.
Historical Lionel Train Gauges: The article provides historical context by mentioning earlier gauges produced by Lionel, such as the 2-7/8-inch gauge of Joshua Lionel Cowen's first train, The Electric Express, and the standard gauge introduced in 1906.
Other Model Train Gauges: The article briefly touches upon various model train gauges beyond Lionel, including OO gauge, HO gauge, TT (Table Top) gauge, N Scale, and Z scale. Each is described in terms of scale and popularity.
In summary, the article covers a comprehensive range of topics related to Lionel trains, from the basics of gauge and scale to specific details about O gauge, O-27 gauge, and other historical and contemporary gauges in the world of model railroading.
