ME track is great and what I use on the first layout. I plan on using it on the 2nd also. While more expensive, I like the ability to bend it without it becoming straight. The trick with ME track (perhaps others too?) is removing some ties that make a "V" shape once you curve the track.
Decades ago I purchased 3 cases (900 ft) of MP brass flextrack for $100 per case. I have only built two layouts in nearly forty years and it has been accomplished using that track.....unsoldered,re-cut to fit, and repainted. All turnouts are Atlas brass and been in service for decades. The MP track is a bit stiffer but I found that to make "straight runs" straight. On the other hand I had no problem with curve radius down to 22 inch. My experience wth MP flextrack has been very positive.
riogrande5761Might be better to start a new topic so the information is more up-to-date.
Yes. I was going to recommend that the OP consider Code 83 as a more realistic looking track, but I suppose it's too late for that now.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Yep, dangers of the "necro'd topic" - prices after 6+ years will not be the same!
Might be better to start a new topic so the information is more up-to-date.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
6 years after this thread began, Modeltrainstuff sells 25 MP code 100 for 79.95 and Atlas for 84.95. For some reason they have the MP track listed in the Steam Loco category. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Model-Power-HO-36-Flex-Track-25pcs-p/mdp-105.htm
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
My two previous layouts, and most likely my next one, will be Shinohara turnouts and Atlas trackage.
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Once everything is painted and ballast is glued down it all looks just fine to me.
Track detail means nothing, in wheels, couplers, and trackage... reliability and durability is all that counts or you will not enjoy your layout.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
One thing to consider is the profile/overall height of the rails and how it will potentially match up with crossings and turnouts of another brand, should you be mixing products. Atlas, ME, and Shinohara tend to match up well together. Peco takes a bit more finessing with joiners and shims but ultimately can be made to match well. If choosing Peco, I would want all Peco for all pieces and would be less inclined to mix it with other products to avoid the extra work. I don't know about the profile of Model Power.
As for appearence, I tend to agree with you. After paint and ballast, they all look the same to me.
Edit: Ha, I just got fooled by the recurring old thread trick.
- Douglas
I found a "super deal" on the GT track and snapped up 200 ft of it. After laying nearly 100ft over the past year I have found no problems what so ever. It curves nicely, has good tie detail, takes Atlas track connectors, solders well and matches Shinohara switches very nicely. If you're fixing your track in place with spikes, the rail web holds spikes securely.
I'm grateful for this thread because I had long wondered where to get more GT flex track. Now I know to get 'Model Power'. I've used a lot of it, and I reckon it's excellent stuff.
Mike
Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0
When I was building my layout, Model Power track was the cheapest and looked much better than the Atlas. The MP track even has tie plate and bolt detail.
The upper track is Model Power, the lower is Atlas:
The MP track is not as "springy" as the Atlas, it's more like the ME and Shinorhara. I have never had issues with gauge. It's been down on the layout for 20 years and works as well as when I first laid it. All painted and weathered it looks great and is hard to distinguish from code 83. I have some newer spurs that are c.83 and you have to get real close to tell the diff. I paid 99 cents per 3ft, I have 400 ft of on the layout and about 100 ft of Atlas (which is all towards the back of the layout or in tunnels so I don't have to look at it). my switches are mostly Peco which mated up just fine. There's an ad in the Jan MR page 33 Trainworld down in the bottom right corner showing MP code 100 for $199/box of 100 and code 83 $229/box of 100
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Hamltnblue Well model power is the company left over from Tyco/mantua. That should be enough to stay away. http://ho-scaletrains.net/tycotrains/id64.html
Well model power is the company left over from Tyco/mantua. That should be enough to stay away.
http://ho-scaletrains.net/tycotrains/id64.html
To digress away from the Model Power topic for a bit, it is a shame that the various entities that acquired and exploited the Tyco name over the years by bringing out junk managed to also degrade the name Mantua. While Mantua trains by today's standards would not be regarded as very detailed, nor did they necessarily follow specific prototypes, they were (and often, still are) extremely durable and smooth running and provided good value for the money. Tyco at its best -- late 1950s early 1960s -- was more or less the RTR version of Mantua, plus some plastic freight cars (with metal floors) of good but not remarkable detail and quality. That was when a Tyco train set, with perhaps their die cast 2-8-2 and some freight cars, or the die cast 4-6-2 and the streamlined shorty passenger cars, was a very good introduction to the hobby and would not frustrate the beginner with shoddy workmanship. Quite a contrast to what Tyco became. Who can count how many promising beginners were permanently turned off by Tyco?
Model Power has had its own quality issues over the years but they brought out some decent stuff from time to time.
Dave Nelson
According to your link and my knowledge, Model Power purchased most of the Mantua line. Model Power has sold improved versions of parts of the Mantua line since under the "Mantua Classics" name. Certainly, the 2-6-6-2 logger in both versions has met with a good reception. Many of us hope that Model Power will similarly bring out an improved General some day.
Model Power is NOT the company left over from the demise of Mantua. Model Power was an importer and manufacturer in their own name long before Mantua was bought. In the early 1990s, much of the Model Power rolling stock line was made by Frateschi of Brazil. Model Power has been an importer for a variety of overseas manufacturers over the years.
The Model Power flex track in question has already been identified as to actual manufacturer. I have never heard any complaints about the quality of the Model Power flex track from anybody who has actually used it. But because the Model Power name is often associated with toy and train set quality, the flex track has been assumed to be of low quality, too. As a result, Model Power flex track has been sold at bargain prices despite it's apparent good quality.
just my thoughts and experiences
Fred W
Springfield PA
As above the Model Power code 83 track is marked GT Italy. I am using it in conjunction Walthers Shinohara turnouts and it has a similar appearance and tie thickness whereas Atlas required shimming and had a different appearance.
The flextrack that Trainworld markets as a "Model Power" product is actually made by "GT". You won't even find flextrack on the Model Power website. I am currently using the code 83 GT track to build a medium size layout in my garage. The rail is indeed nickel-silver and the tie/spike detailing is pretty good. Best of all, the tie thickness is similar to that of the PC Board ties I have been using to build all of my turnouts. Laying the GT track is very similar to laying Atlas track as the rail is rather springy and one rail slides through the ties to allow curves to be formed. Just be careful not to twist the GT track as I've had a few rails pop out of the ties (and they won't go back in). Fortunately for me, I just use the rails from these faulty sections to build my turnouts. Overall, I think the price of the GT (aka Model Power) track is well worth any percieved gamble.
Hornblower
Thanks for the feed back it seems it's like I thought after the weathering and ballast theres not much difference. thanks again
I've used both HO scale Model Power flex and Atlas on a large club layout and once it is ballasted you can't tell the difference between the two brands unless you look very carefully at the size of the crossties. Model Power crossties seem to be more prototypically sized and spaced.
I have Atlas flex track and Micro Engineering on my current layout. It is code 83 not Code 100 you asked about. I have also used Atlas code 100 in the past. As said previously, Atlas is very flexible and good quality. Micro Engineering is flexible, but will a hold curve after using a radius tool. I have not used the Model Power flextrack, but the one post makes me wonder if it would be worth a try. Maybe buy a few of Atlas and Model Power and see what you think. They usually ard the cheapest in price. I also bought most of my Atlas flextrack and switches from NHShobbies. Very good prices at the time. PW
Some time ago someone posted with some good experience with Model Power flex track. I am relying on memory now but I think the comment was it was as flexible as Atlas and lacked the old fashioned looking "shoe boxes" simulating spikes and tie plates. I myself have never tried it but based on that posting, which of course I cannot find, I wouldn't rule it out. If the LHS sells it by the piece, give it a try.
I think the real decision to be made, assuming we are talking Code 100, is just how flexible you want the flex track to be. Some flex track, and Atlas is a perfect example, is extremely easy to bend, but has a natural tendency to straighten itself out. Other makes, and Micro Engineering is my primary example but I think Shinohara is also of the same sort, are bendable rather than truly "flex" -- and it helps to use various radius tools such as RibbonRail sells, to force the track to a given radius, when it then tends to "hold." Somewhat ironically i find it very difficult to get a perfect tangent with the Micro Engineering, even right from the store, and even after repeated runs of a RibbonRail 18" tangent gauger through the track.
Both types have their uses, their advantages and their disadvantages. And good work has been done with both.
My own experience -- purely personal -- is that I like the bendable but not very flexible track for my curves and the very flexible Atlas type track for the tangents. If Model Power looks better than Atlas it could have its uses.
Caveat: All of my new flex track is Atlas, but I also have some Shinohara and some "Brande X" left over from previous construction that I've laid in hidden staging.
Check more than just price and code (rail height.) El Cheapo may have steel or brass rails, which would make it no bargain - either should be a deal-breaker for new products.
Since I have enough track on hand to complete planned construction, I'm not in a position to discuss price. Whatever choice you make, happy tracklaying.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on flex track with hand-laid specialwork)
Check out NHShobbies, that is where I purchase mine and it was very affordable.
I've always used Atlas track., never had any problems. I dunno about Model Power, personally I wouldn't use it, nor do I have much desire to buy any of their locos or cars. Train set quality at a premium price.
If you're paying $4 or more for Atlas flex you're shopping in the wrong place. Modeltrainstuff is under $3.50 even for a 10 pack, it's well under $3 each in a 100 pack. There are also 25 packs. Ulrich is also under $4 for singles, with a discount for 10.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I'm looking to build a layout and in the stage of aquirering the materials. I'm going to use code 100 flex track and have been pricing different brands. I find Atlas runs a average of $4 a 3ft. section in bulk and I can get Model Power for $199 for 100. I know Peco or Micro engineering may look better but after painting and ballasting is there a difference in the products. As I see it they're all Nickle silver and plastic ties they're all mass produced so they're in gauge or they're all out of gauge. I think consistency should be the same . So I need some experienced MRR's to give me some input. I would appreciate it.