On my previous layout I used Shinnohara/Walthers Code 83 on the visable part of my layout and Atlas Code 100 for the hidden staging yards. My staging yards wewr quite long so every 6' feet I had an Atlas rerailer section. It worked great.
My current layout is all Atlas Code 83. I buy my flex track in the 100 piece bulk pack. I use modular bench work. In my staging yards I use Atlas Code 83 re-railer sections at the begining of the staging yard and every other section (12 feet). If a car derails, and your train is moving slowly it usually will re-rail.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
If you want to make your hidden track bulletproof, the secret is to break the sharp corner at the top inside of EVERY railhead at EVERY joint, insulated or otherwise. A couple of quick swipes with a file or emory board will leave a 'facet' about .01 inches across the face and .05 inches along the length of the rail. This takes away the little step that a flange might catch on, and is the best single preventive action I know to avoid derailment problems at joints.
Of course, there is the matter of laying smooth curves and avoiding kinks - but that's an integral part of good tracklaying.
That said, as long as an NMRA track gauge is happy with the distance between the rails, it doesn't matter whether you use ME flex (the high-price spread,) Peco flex, Atlas flex, Life-Like flex or even raw rail spiked to pine planks for hidden track. I actually have two hidden yards that ARE (partially) raw rail spiked to pine boards (some of it brass, at the non-powered ends.) They haven't given me the first iota of trouble.
My suggestion? Lay your hidden trackage the least expensive way. Save your best quality materials for use where the sun DOES shine and the better appearance can be appreciated.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with LOTS of hidden track)
Hey everyone. This is something I've been mulling over for some time now. I have a bunch of ME flex already that I haven't yet laid down, and I've been wondering about its advantages in general over, say, Atlas.
Is using ME in hidden areas worth it? I know its a lot more expensive, but does it have any gauge advantages over Atlas? I'm just worried about derailments inside of my tunnels, and I want to avoid them at all costs and take no short cuts up front.