I have all Walthers code 83 track and switches on my layout want to expand and Walthers code 83 track is so hard to get was wondering what other brand code 83 track and switches fit well together with Walthers code 83 track and why is Walthers 83 so hard to get.
Due to variations in rail profile and tie thickness, mixing of brands should probably be kept to a minimum unless you're experienced and confident in your tracklatying skills.
Micro Engineering uses ties of similar thickness to Walthers. Atlas and Peco have considerably thicker ties that may require shimming to prevent unwanted vertical transitions. All of these brands have different rail cross sections. Variations in the base and/or web of the rail can make it challenging to use any one brand of rail joiners. Variations in the rail heads can require careful filing and fitting to eliminate rough joints.
If you can plan to have only a few joints between brands the extra work required may not be too bad. Just plan on having to do it, and be patient.
Walthers code 83 has been manufactured by Shinohara. Shinohara has announced plans to exit the track business, which may be playing a part in availability. I don't recall news about that being resolved.
Rob Spangler
I used mostly Walthers code 83 turnouts and I had a problem with some flex track. It might have been older Atlas flex track. Whatever brand, the problem was the ties were thicker. Sanding the last 6" or so of the flex track brought the top of the tracks down to match.
If the rail profiles are different, it did not cause a problem with the rail joiners, visual appearance or function.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
One thing I kept between my 1st and current layout is using code 83 ME track and Atlas turnouts. They work quite easily. I also use Atlas rail joiners since they're easier to use than ME.
I don't know if the limited Walthers track availability is caused by being more expensive or less popular.
I use Walthers turnouts and Atlas flex track. I use foam roadbed, which provides some give if there's a small vertical mismatch.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
As long as you can match the top and inside surfaces of the rail, you should be fine.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 As long as you can match the top and inside surfaces of the rail, you should be fine.
I use Atlas 83 flextrack, and mostly Walthers turnouts. On a former layout I did not adjust for their difference in tie thickness, thinking the caulk would pretty much fill in the gap. Not so, and as a result locos and cars had a noticable dip passing through the turnouts. Not an operational issue, and perhaps not unrealistic, but not something I wanted to see.
Following a tip in a MR article, on my current layout, I glue a strip of evergreen styrene .020" thick, (= the difference in tie Atlas/Walthers), .100" wide (= tie width) on every 4th tie. This provides a seamless connection.
Jim
hardcoalcaseI use Atlas 83 flextrack, and mostly Walthers turnouts. On a former layout I did not adjust for their difference in tie thickness, thinking the caulk would pretty much fill in the gap. Not so, and as a result locos and cars had a noticable dip passing through the turnouts. Not an operational issue, and perhaps not unrealistic, but not something I wanted to see. Jim
It goes without saying, shim as necessary; common sense.
This yard is a mix of Atlas, Walthers code 83, and some code 70 turnouts, as well as Atlas code 83, Shinohara code 70 flex.
I used my home-made version of these when connecting track of different codes.
I found that Walthers and Atlas match up well. Peco requires shimming to Atlas, so I assume it would also need shimming to Walthers too.
- Douglas
I use Walthers/Shinohara code 83 and Atlas flex and sectional tracks with no problem.
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I do not spike track down hard. I have always relied on the ballast glue to hold my track in place.
Tie thickness variation has never been a problem.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Doughless I found that Walthers and Atlas match up well. Peco requires shimming to Atlas, so I assume it would also need shimming to Walthers too.
Same here, which is mostly what is in the yard photo above. The only thing that has a noticable drop and needs a bit of shimming at the transition is the code 70 Shinohara track connected to code 83 Atlas turnouts.
So far the only Peco I have used are a few turnouts in my code 100 staging yard and they seem to be ok with the Atlas turnouts and Atlas flex.