code 83 to code 70 track connection

[RR Redneck]

Yeah, I've heard that the Walthers makes a good product.

[wjstix]

Here's what a search of Walthers website came up with:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Track&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=transition&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

[darrel480]

Micro Engineering does make joiners for this purpose but I just use the larger code 80 joiner and smash it down a bit on the code 70 side.  They work fine.  I did this because the Micro Engineering bridge track is code 70. On both ends of the bridge I needed to join the code 70 bridge track to the main line code 80 track.  If you are joining code 80 to code 70 you will also have to file down the code 80 at the joint otherswise there is a bump.

[wjstix]

I believe Walthers still makes transition tracks for code 83 to code 70 (and code 83 to code 100) as part of their code 83 trackline. They're a short section of track, maybe 3-4" that are actually two pieces of track of different codes soldered together. Very easy to use, but can only be used on a straight section of track.

[bigpoppa]

Thanks for the tips fella's and btw I live one hour from the Sierra railroad that Guy mentioned.

 

[trainnut1250]

What I do is use the code 83 railjoiner and mash 1/2 of it flat with a ailr of pliers.  I then solder the code 70 rail onto the flattened part of the railjoiner.  The unflattened portion fits onto the code 83 rail in the usual fashion.  The code 70 rail and the code 83 end up at exactly the right height.  -  Nevin

 

I use this method as well but find that it helps to grind down the bottom of the code 70 rail just a bit to get a perfect transition.

I have also sucessfully left the joiners off completely and butt soldered the rails against each other after shimming the code 70 ties to match up the top of the railheads.  I then spike both sections of track around the joint to make sure it doesn't move out of alignment horizontally.  Looks much better and has been very reliable operationally.  Obviously I don't rely on this joint to conduct power to other track sections beyond the joint.

BTW: I did see some transition rail bolt plates joining differing rail sizes on the Sierra Railroad (California) last spring in front of the Jamestown station.  So there is a prototype for these joiners.

 Guy

[concretelackey]

What I do is use the code 83 railjoiner and mash 1/2 of it flat with a ailr of pliers.  I then solder the code 70 rail onto the flattened part of the railjoiner.  The unflattened portion fits onto the code 83 rail in the usual fashion.  The code 70 rail and the code 83 end up at exactly the right height.  -  Nevin

Nevin,

 I would only add that I flatten the code 83 joiner in a small vise to make sure it is as flat as I can make it.  For whatever reason I don't seem to get it quite flat enough with a pliers.

John Timm

Isn't that why they invented Vise-grips?  Use them for code 83 - code 70 joiner mod, and for lots of other things having to do with shaping steel stud material into railroad-useful forms.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

guess its time to update the old adage.....All we need is duct tape and wd-40 and vise-grips. If it moves and it shouldn't you tape it, if it doesn't move and it should you spray it, if it don't fit you squeeze the crap out of it until it does.....

[tomikawaTT]

What I do is use the code 83 railjoiner and mash 1/2 of it flat with a ailr of pliers.  I then solder the code 70 rail onto the flattened part of the railjoiner.  The unflattened portion fits onto the code 83 rail in the usual fashion.  The code 70 rail and the code 83 end up at exactly the right height.  -  Nevin

Nevin,

 I would only add that I flatten the code 83 joiner in a small vise to make sure it is as flat as I can make it.  For whatever reason I don't seem to get it quite flat enough with a pliers.

John Timm

Isn't that why they invented Vise-grips?  Use them for code 83 - code 70 joiner mod, and for lots of other things having to do with shaping steel stud material into railroad-useful forms.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[Jake1210]

BP,

I believe Atlas makes specific transition rail joiners for going from Code 83 to 70.

Tom 

 

Actually, that is Micro Engineering, IIRC the joiners you are thinking of are 100 to 83. Atlas doesn't even sell code 70 track.

[NevinW]

That is really good idea.  I have one set of pliers that is really effective but the others do not work quite as well.  the vise would solve that problem.  -  Nevin

[desertdog]

What I do is use the code 83 railjoiner and mash 1/2 of it flat with a ailr of pliers.  I then solder the code 70 rail onto the flattened part of the railjoiner.  The unflattened portion fits onto the code 83 rail in the usual fashion.  The code 70 rail and the code 83 end up at exactly the right height.  -  Nevin

 

Nevin,

 I would only add that I flatten the code 83 joiner in a small vise to make sure it is as flat as I can make it.  For whatever reason I don't seem to get it quite flat enough with a pliers.

John Timm

 

[NevinW]

What I do is use the code 83 railjoiner and mash 1/2 of it flat with a ailr of pliers.  I then solder the code 70 rail onto the flattened part of the railjoiner.  The unflattened portion fits onto the code 83 rail in the usual fashion.  The code 70 rail and the code 83 end up at exactly the right height.  -  Nevin

[tstage]

BP,

I believe Atlas makes specific transition rail joiners for going from Code 83 to 70.

Tom 

[bigpoppa]

Could somebody out there give me some advice.  I need to know how to connect code 83 to code 70 track.  I have some code 83 rail joiners.  Do I just attach with these and flatten at  the ends of the rail?