Question

[Anonymous]

I am getting ready to create my first layout and wanted to what brand or code of track would be to be the to use. The layout will be built in modules 2' wide and approx 3' long. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated.

Gman

[simon1966]

I have just had to make the same decision and have now laid about 200ft of track in my first layout project in many years. I think the decision should be based on many factors. What you want to run, how realistic do you want the track to look, what control system you plan to use, and how much do you want to spend. Perhaps local avaialbility is also important. For me, I plan to run both US HO and UK OO scale. Code 100 was the obvious choice to eliminate problems with the flanges on my older UK stuff. I chose Atlas flex track, combined with PECO turnouts. Atlas track has proven to be good to work with and relatively inexpensive. I am less concered about the prototypical look as I am the desire to run a mixture of rolling stock. Do a quick search of the archives on turnout selection and PECO, will come up time and time again. They cost more than some, but asside from some frog issues, I have been really pleased with the quality of them. I am using insulforgs as I plan to get DCC up and running in the near future. Of great importance to me, both Atlas and Peco are available at very competetive prices at my local hobby shop just down the street. (If anyone if from the Metro East of St. Louis, go to K-10 in Maryville amazing place). It might be helpful to list your own criteria and see what suggestions you get. Have fun, I sure am.

Simon

[snowey]

what scale are you modeling? Tell us that, and someone here can answer your question.

[Anonymous]

It will be HO scale. I plan it to be modeled after a real railroad in the deisel era. i have been doing my homework by reading every magazine plus i have several old track plan books and others. I was just curious as to what people find the most reliable track type is to lay.

[snowey]

I'm not in HO anymore; I was but an unexpected move forced me to switch to N scale. But I can still answer your questions. In HO, if you want the track to look more realistic the best size rail is Code 83 or 70. The best track brands are Shinohara (Walthers), Atlas, Peco, and Kato "Uni-Track".

[CP5170]

Gman: From My experience, select the turnout that you want to use and then select the track. For example, I started with Shinohara turnouts in code 83 because I thought that it was more prototypical. Subsequently, I used Peco turnouts in code 100 for my hidden staging areas. If I was to do it over, I would use code 100 because I like the Peco turnouts and after ballasting not many people can tell the difference. Also code 100 seems to be the most popular and therefore available everywhere and more resonable priced.

Hope this helps...Ken