Copyright 2002 T. Sheil & A. Sheil  All Rights Reserved

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4' by 6' Layout Plans

for

O-42 with O27 Track

O27 has its reputation as a lighter, smaller O gauge track with a tighter 27" diameter curve and shorter "straight" section.  In that alone, it is excellent for layouts in small spaces.  However, there are wider diameter curves available in the O27 track system.  34", 42" and 54" curves are available for use with O27.  What makes O27 special is the height and shape of the rails.  O27 rails are lower than standard O Gauge, and thus are more realistic in profile.

This collection of layouts uses a minimum 42" diameter curve with the standard straight sections of O27.  Because of the shorter straight, it tends to be more versatile than O even when using nothing but wide-diameter curves.  O27 also has the advantage of being far less expensive, and far easier to give a more realistic appearance.  

Circular railway with spur - for all type operations (18) Lionel® O27 O-42 curve 30° (4) Lionel® O27 single straight (4) Lionel® O27 O-42 lefthand turnout (4) Lionel® O27 half straight (2) Lionel® O27 O-42 righthand turnout (4) Lionel® O27 track bumper (2) Lionel® O27 O-42 half curve 15° (1) Lionel® O27 operating uncoupling track (1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store (1) Plasticville #1602 post office (1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market (1) Plasticville 1620 loading platform (1) Plasticville 1618 TV transmitter station (1) Plasticville #1303 log cabin (1) MTH 30-9018 hardware store (1) MTH 30-9056 Auto Parts store (1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store (1) MTH 30-9058 grocery store (1) MTH 30-9004 RailKing hobby building (1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store (1) MTH 30-9082 hotel (1) MTH 30-9107 operating station platform (1) MTH 30-9063 milk platform (11) MTH 30-1078 O-scale round lamp	Our example looks like man a small suburban shopping district amid a more rural environment.
This simple railroad is basic but versatile. (14) Lionel® O27 O-42 curve 30° (3) Lionel® O27 O-42 righthand turnout (1) Lionel® O27 O-42 lefthand turnout (7) Lionel® O27 single straight (2) Lionel® O27 half straight (2) Lionel® O27 track bumper (1) Lionel® 9224 horse car platform (1) Lionel® 9220 milk car platfrom (1) Plasticville #1622 dairy barn (1) Plasticville #1601 barn (1) Plasticville #1408 windmill (1) Plasticville #1617 chicken coop (1) Plasticville #1617 corn crib (2) Plasticville #1617 dog house (1) Plasticville #1804 green house (1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home (1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house (1) Plasticville 1618 TV transmitter station (2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform (2) Plasticville 1200 station platform (2) MTH 30-50002 13" fence (2) MTH 30-50002 16" fence w/gate (1) MTH 30-9007 RailKing farm house (5) MTH 30-11012 operating crossing gate w/signal	The farmland setting in our example goes well with our choice of accessories: operating cattle platform and operating milk station. Of course, you can make scenery for any terrain you desire.
Here you have a nice little freight operation plus a streetcar system, should you desire it. (12) Lionel® O27 O-42 curve 30° (4) Lionel® O27 O-42 righthand turnout (2) Lionel® O27 O-42 lefthand turnout (7) Lionel® O27 single straight (3) Lionel® O27 half straight (4) Lionel® O27 track bumper (3) Lionel® O27 O-42 half curve 15° (1) Lionel® O27 operating uncoupling track (1) Lionel® 9220 milk car platform (1) Plasticville #1801 bank (1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store (1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store (2) Plasticville #1626 corner store (1) Plasticville 1613 large super market (1) Plasticville #1853 drug store (1) Plasticville #1602 post office (1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market (1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station (1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house (2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform (1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower (6) MTH 30-11012 operating crossing gate w/signal (1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill (10) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp	The resemblance to a suburban or off-highway strip mall is not accidental.  These are common in this region, and we left plenty of room for parking.
A simpler circular railway for longer trains. (22) Lionel® O27 O-42 curve 30° (2) Lionel® O27 O-42 righthand turnout (2) Lionel® O27 O-42 lefthand turnout (2) Lionel® O27 single straight (4) Lionel® O27 half straight (2) Lionel® O27 track bumper (1) Lionel® O27 operating uncoupling track (1) Plasticville #1801 bank (1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store (1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store (2) Plasticville #1626 corner store (1) Plasticville 1613 large super market (1) Plasticville #1853 drug store (1) Plasticville #1602 post office (1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market (1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station (1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house (1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house (1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home (1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house (1) Plasticville #1908 split-level house (3) MTH 30-11012 operating crossing gate w/signal (10) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp	Here we have the center of a suburban town, with residences and apartments on all sides.  Towns like this are common on the East Coast.

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