Atlas used to sell transition joiners for going from code 100 to 83. I think lots of modelers just use a joiner on the code 100 rail. Flatten the "free" end of the joiner and solder the code 83 to the top of the flattened area and file if needed for a smooth transition.
I looked at the Atlas site and they still list Code 83 transistion joiners, item # 551.
swapilot wrote: Everything I have read suggests that I should use a heavier code of track for my mainline than in my yard (ie 100 vs 83). So my question is, what is the best way to transition from code 100 track on a mainline to code 83 track in a yard? I figure it may take some grinding so the transition is smooth enough so my switch engines will not derail when they take a load of cars from the yard onto the mainline.
There are transition joiners availible anywhere track is sold. You may have some filing to do, but it won't be excessice.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I have Atlas Code 100 butted against Atlas Code 83, held together with nothing more complex than plain-Jane Atlas 'universal' rail joiners. Since the ties under the Code 83 are .17" deeper than the ties under the code 100, the railheads come out even. By cutting a little more than the minimum from the Code 83 ties to clear the rail joiners, the joiners don't force the Code 83 down or the Code 100 up.
My only concession to the butt joint is to take a tiny bevel in the top inside corner of the railhead, to eliminate the sharp corner that might give a flange something to climb over. But, then, I do that at EVERY rail joint.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)