Help..new to the whole layout plan..

[Anonymous]

Ok..As some of you already know..I`am getting ready to start my first layout after 2 years of delays..Went shopping today for power and all..Didnt get anything yet[}:)]..But the hobby shops that I went to..Both asked what type of track I was laying..Told both shops that I had the code 100 track..One guy didnt like it at all..and said to go with code 83..Brown ties..and lower rails..and the 100 has black ties with a bit higher rails..He didnt care for the 100 ties at all..So I looked around..Never saw 1 track that was 83..all 100 code..The other hobby shop told me that code 100 is the best and to keep what track I have already..Please help..i`am kinda lost on the track now..

Have about 3 packs of 18" radius
2 packs of 22" radius
1 straight terminal
3 packs of 6" straight
all in 100 code..so I do away with them???

[Anonymous]

Hmm.

I read your post twice. Then again word by word. Your Hobby Shop (LHS) #1 said "I dont like code 100..." but only sold code 100. Based on your information that there was no code 83 around in that store.

Your second store said 100 is the best.

I hope that is how it came out. Now. In HO scale code 100 was all we had for "Flex track and sectional track" until about the mid 90's. I think Brass was the standard until nickel silver was accepted more widely recently. Back to sizes..

My Brother once had a layout in a garage, the code 100 track was thicker and stood up to the cold and hot days in the year. The locomotives had deeper flanges than they do today. I think IHC is one of the few hold outs with deep flanges. They are stronger and will stand up to changes in weather better than the code 83.

Final benefit of code 100.. not as realistic or "Scale height" but will run just about any wheel that is made in HO. and stands up to weather.

Code 83 is considered a smaller rail height and will not accept the old big flange engines very well if at all. I personally have chosen to use code 83 because the engines look better on the smaller rail. A friend of mine used code 83 on his track in HIS garage over the winter and most of the track survived rather well I think one switch had to be put back in gauge.

I do have some sections of 100 track on the work bench but the layout will have code 83. I consider track cheap. So. Nickel Silver code 83 is my choice. I have nothing left from the "Big flange" years and dont expect to run any in the future.

There are other codes for handlaying and other manufacterors of rail products. I think MR released a track guide detailing everything recently. I have to go back into the pile and look.

So. Code 83 for me.

[Anonymous]

Darren,

No, I wouldn't do away with them, but I would avoid buying any more (good for you and the power packs!) until you get an idea of what you want to do. What you have is enough to set up a loop to "entertain the troops" until you can get some research/planning/building done.

Andrew

[cwclark]

personally...i like the code 100 rail...code 83 is ok too but the 100 holds up better...it is a higher rail and over the years using a bright boy to clean the track I still have a lot of rail left...a lot of people will use code 100 for mainlines and code 83 and 70 for sidings and industrial yards...you might want to consider using "Flex track" instead of buying all those short pieces of track..it will be cheaper in the long run and the flex track is more versitile to use...chuck

[Anonymous]

I'm from the N-scale world, so my opinion shouldn't matter as much as any of the others here, but I'd voice a second to the motion that you try out flextrack, in whatever code you choose. Laying flextrack is not hard, but it does require a firm roadbed to be mounted on, which is something that you can neglect and skimp on with the smaller sectional track; in other words, the flextrack will force you to do a quality job. Not to mention the benefits of having fewer track joints, where electrical and derailment problems dwell, and the ability to lay out your curves to any old radius you desire.

Personally, I'm using code 55, which in the N-scale realm bears approximately the same relationship to our normal code 70 that your code 83 does to 100. It calls for a little more skill and care, and may mean replacing some wheelsets in older equipment, but the look is so much better. I've heard of many modelers, though, opting for the larger rail size in any hidden-from-view areas, like in tunnels or at staging yards, simply because of the increased reliability. So, even if you opt for code 83, the code 100 you've got can be useful in some places.

[Anonymous]

Ok..Thanks..Yes..After the first hobby shop told me that I should use the code 83 rather then the code 100..I went looking for it..Never saw it in his shop..Funny...Hmm..Can you buy code 83 at hobby shops??? Or only online?? And from what I have read..I should start to use code 83..and use the code 100 where it wont be seen!!

[CP5170]

I use code 83 for mainline and code 100 for hidden staging. However, when you paint, weather and ballast your track, I'm not sure that the 17/1000 of an inch makes much difference. If I was to do it again, I would probably use code 100 as turnouts are cheaper and more readily available.

Good Luck...Ken

[Anonymous]

Ok when you say turnouts..as in the part or 100 code its self??

[Anonymous]

Ok..After doing some reading and reasearch..I have found alot of your big layouts that you read about in MRR use code 100 track..like the 3.5 million layout in Chicago used code 100 track..and many others as wel..I guess its all about what you want..So i`am going to stay with the code 100...Thanks for the help all...trust me i`am sure i`ll be posting more as I go along!!

[Anonymous]

Hmm..well it's a personal choice thing really:

Code 100: durable good for new people, as most loco's will run fine on it.

Code 83: more prototypical, but being shorter in hight can cause derailments if not laid right.

Code 70 and 55 are also available, but i would recommend against them until you get the basics down.

Code 100 is fine for you now, since that's what you have, but later on you may want to switch to code 83 as your expiriences and skills increase. It should be noted though that Code 100 is not as readily available as it used to be and may be phased out in the coming years in favor of code 83. I'd say probably another 10 years before it's not made anymore, except maybe by 1 or 2 manufactuers for nogstalgic reasons, like brass rail is now.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Thanks bro...Now..i`am stuck again..Everytime I read these posts..My mind goes crazy..lmao..

[Anonymous]

ive got one worry here


those 18" curves arent going on your mainline are they!!!!!![:0][xx(]

[Anonymous]

No...

[Anonymous]

First a comment, track doesn't wear down with bright boy cleaning, though contemporary thinking is beginning to move away from abrasive track cleaners (microscopic scratches holding dirt).

You might want to say roughly where you live, that way some one might be able to direct you to a better LHS. Or order over the net and pay by money order if you don't have a credit card. There are some very good ones and just ask for a recommendation and you will be swamped with replies.

And this is something no one really discusses yet most guys have experienced. Allow for your tastes in things model railroad and layout building to become more "sophisticated." What you like now isn't necessarily what you will like latter. For example, pretend sectional track doesn't exist, you'll be much happier in the long run. The first early stages of laying your flex track might challenge you - but only mentally - once you have discovered how easy it is.

Go slow, including that power pack, you might be better off with a cheap dcc unit. Think things through, ask lots of questions, be prepared to change your mind, accept the challenges, and don't allow fear and frustration freeze you.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your input..Its been a big help..And just to think..I was getting worried that you all would ask me to slow down on these ?`s..Trust me ..I have loads!! But once again..Thank you all.