New layout

[Richard Kucharski]

New layout in single garage. Why would I want to use Micro Engineering vs Walthers code 83 track and turnouts? Rich.

[Richard Kucharski]

Oops, not NCE but Micro Engineering. Rich

[mls1621]

Rich,

I've used Micro Engineering flex track and turnouts on my N scale layout. I thought the tie spacing and color looked better than any of the others available. The turnouts need alittle more attention to detail because of the design of the frog, but I thought it was worth the effort because of how good they look.

Their preweathered flex track looks really good, but you have to paint the turnouts to match, as they don't market preweathered turnouts. Their bridge and trestle track has the correct tie spacing for the application and include guard rails and guard beams for an authentic look.

I know we aren't modelling the same scale, but when all is said and done, it's about how the finished product looks.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[Richard Kucharski]

Mike, thanks for the quick return. I will be modeling in H0. I have used Atlas in the past but I don't really like their turnouts. As long as I have to relocate I thought that I would change to code 83 instead of code 100. Unfortunately I have never seen Micro's or Shinohara's track in the few local shops that I have been in. Any help is appreciated. Rich

[Anonymous]

One thing to keep in mind: Peco at least does not offer Code 83 turnouts, just Code 100 and Code 70. Don't know about Walthers, Micro Engineering, etc. (worth checking before committing). I had planned to used Code 83 Atlas flex track and Peco turnouts. Have ended up with that flex track and Atlas turnouts. Hope I am not sorry. Have been following LHS advice on this my first layout, a simple 4x8 I am building with my grandson.

John

[orsonroy]

Actually, Peco currently makes code 100 and code 75 (they're the only ones that make code 75). They just announced a new line of US-standard code 83 track, but It'll take a few months for it to hit the stores.

I really like ME's flexctrack, and am using some of their code 70 and code 55 to supplement my Peco code 75. I really DON'T like ME's switches, because they're VERY delicate. I have a friend who owns a LHS, and he says about 1/2 of the ME switches he gets in come as "kits", since parts have fallen off en route. One reason I went with Peco 75 is because Peco makes the most durable switches on the market (and it was either them or code 100, which looks too big & clunky for me).

[Anonymous]

I stand corrected. Guess all I really knew was that Peco did not make Code 83 when I was buying turnouts. Really did like the Peco turnouts and wish I could have waited for their Code 83, but I am sure can understand how 8-year old grandsons can be. I have to keep reminding him that the most important thing we are learning with this project is patience. He knows the answer now when I ask. He just doesn't always remember until I ask. In any event, we are having fun and learning a lot.

John