I have tried asking this question before but never seemed to get a straight answer.
A certain shop offers 100 pieces of Model Power Code 83 HO flex track at around $1.60 per piece. However, I don't know anything about Model Power track and don't know of any local source (So Cal) where I can closely examine this stuff. I have heard that the Code 83 is nickle-silver and that this track holds a curve after shaping though some have said it is tough to shape. I can deal with that.
What I really want to know is how the Model Power Code 83 compares visually and dimensionally to Atlas, Walthers and Micro Engineering flex track. I will probably be using Atlas #6 Super turnouts with one or two Walthers curved turnouts. Does the Model Power track match the Atlas and Walthers track visually and dimensionally?
Hornblower
Visually the Model Power code 83 flex ties & spike detail is noticably different from Atlas code 83. It is closer to the Walthers / Shinohara in tie details ( Slightly larger spike heads ) and definitely in the tie profile ( Much thinner than the Atlas ties ).
The rail itself it similar in profile, but in mixing the two types of flex with Atlas & Walthers / Shinohara switches I realized that the Model Power is more like code 85 or code 87. The rail is ever so slightly taller.
Once I got everything together I can't really say that the differences are objectionable. It easily passes the 3 foot rule test.
Mark Gosdin
4merroad4man wrote:No. Sometimes goes out of gauge when flexed. Poor detail compared to others. Save your money. Do it slow, do it right. Buy ME track or next in line Atlas. Learn to work with the stuff....see another thread in this section.
I don't know what you're doing when you're flexing track, but the MP track doesn't go out of gauge any more so than the others you mentioned. While the MP track may not be up to ME standards detail-wise and pretty close to Atlas, it goes for 1/3 or less of the price of ME, (not everyone can afford a Cadilac).
As for any slight mismatches in rail height, that's what files are for, even the real railroads have to grind their welds joint smooth. The main thing is to take your time.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
I just checked 3 pieces of Atlas, 2 of MP and 2 of Shinohara, all are wide in gauge ranging from 1/64+ to 3/64+, with the Shinohara being the widest. Unless you're running Proto:87, then the 3 brands I checked are within NMRA tolerances, i.e. the rails didn't drop into the notch on the NMRA gauge. Most turnouts have even more leeway.
Thousands of people have been using Atlas and ModelPower track for years without gauge issues. Your requirements may be strickter than most of the rest of the planet, that's your choice and that's fine.
Mark,
Thanks for the visual and dimensional information. This is exactly the info I've needed.
We used a mix of Model Power and Atlas flex track on our HO scale club layout. The Model Power track was marked as "GT Italy" on the bottom and Atlas was marked "Made in the USA." Now Atlas is made in China. I think Model Power is still from Italy. The Model Power rail is a little stiffer than Atlas, but I think the Model Power crossties are a more realistic size. Once it is down and ballasted, you can't tell the difference between the two brands and we have never had any problems with either one being out of gauge. The rail height was exactly the same on both.
I have ran into a difference between rail foot width and height between Atlas and Peco code 83 HO scale flextrack and turnouts, with the Peco rail being slightly narrower.
willy6 wrote:A few years ago at a Model Railroad show, I was talking to the owner of a huge HO scale layout who proved to me he had alot of experience in layout building and said his advice would cost a dollar. So I gave him a dollar and asked about track. He said it's like buying cars, what you can afford and are happy with. However,something he said I never forgot,"don't mix your brand names of track,it's like putting a Ford engine in a Chevrolet". Since then I've always used the same without problems.
You should get your dollar back!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with mixing brands of track. Nothing.
Given the frequent problems getting ME turnouts, you'd never buy their flextrack if that were the case.
Hey guys. I'm new to the forum, and have a related question. I just ordered and received a case of Model Power Nickel Silver Flex Track. When I opened the box, the rail looks a light gold color. My first assumption was that they shipped brass rail instead of nickel silver, but when I dug out an old brass rail from years ago, it was much darker than this rail.
Should the MP nickel silver rail have a goldish color? The color doesn't match my Atlas nickel silver turnouts.
Any help or pictures would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Mark
Hello Everyone here! I bought six track bars of these here in Brazil. The price was attractive. In fact the track is a bit taller, like (in HO scale proportions) 1 cm higher, but it is because the ties of the GT brand track sold by Model Power is a bit lower, it is visible.
In some cases the modeller can lime 1 cm length the track or add a paper sheet pod to lift the Atlas track to match the height, but the contact with water from the glue mix may cause the the sheet to shrink, so the best thing to do is to assembly the railroad and then look for differences and lime the surface of the GT tracks a little, the result will be beautiful. When possible I will post pictures on my blog: www.hobbytrem.blogspot.com.
Kind regards,
Cristiano