I have recently started acquiring some used track for display shelves. While 0 and 0-27 are very similar the latter has much smaller rails. Can anyone explain the reason for the evolution? Was it merely for appearance or some other reason?
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If I'm not mistaken, the evolution has to do with the trains. 0-27, per my understanding, started out as only 0-27 curves until gradually getting larger. The O Gauge track accommodated the larger trains unlike the 0-27. Why both were produced instead of one or the other beats me.
While 0 and 0-27 are very similar the latter has much smaller rails. Can anyone explain the reason for the evolution? Was it merely for appearance or some other reason?
The reason was most likely COST. It was cheaper to make 027 for starter sets than O gauge back in the 1950's. That continued throughout the postwar, MPC/Lti eras.
Yes, the 027 track originally came with the less expensive Lionel sets. The funny thing is, it's actually more realistic than tubular O, which scales 3' high! Even the narrower 027 ties are closer to scale, though still way too big, of course.
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