NevinW wrote: Micro Engineering: code 70, very good looking. Downside: no #4 or 5, have heard stories about difficulty with getting the flex track to flex.
Micro Engineering: code 70, very good looking. Downside: no #4 or 5, have heard stories about difficulty with getting the flex track to flex.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
For all of the above reasons discussed and comments from multiple other threads, my current plan(always subject to change) is to use Micro Engineering Code 83 flex, and Walthers Code 83 turnouts, which will require shimming under the turnouts(1/32" according to other discussants). I might, however consider doing Fast Track jig-produced turnouts if I think I can take the time to do them(1 year back in the hobby and haven't even started my benchwork yet!!).
Jim
Peco also available in power routing insulfrog. Unpowered section is quite short but there is a potential short circuit at the frog. Centreing spring means ground throw or turnout motor not required. Expensive.
Walthers Shinohara. All live not power routing. Metal frog can be powered from auxiliary contacts. Unpowered section approx 29mm. If frog powered reduces to about 10mm. good appearance compared to Atlas. Worth the wait.
Central Valley-Dead plastic frog. Someone makes a cast metal frog you can use, but they cost as much as the turnout kit. Great looking. Great detail. Pretty EZ to lay. Comes with code 70 and 83 frog and guide rails. All turnouts are curvable.
Drawback-I wouldn't use it if your layout room isn't climate controlled. Rail is glued and/or spiked down. Gluing isn't good for expansion.
ME track is also available in code 55. Code 55 (75 lb rail) would be more appropriate for everything but the main line. I found the easiest way to curve ME track is to use a template - I cut mine from plywood. Use the plywood curve as a form, similar to the way tubing is bent. Cut off the last 1/2 inch or so that you can't bend into a smooth curve. Nice thing about ME track is that once bent it will hold its shape while you glue it - no need to pin while the glue dries. Also no need to solder joints on curves, or even use rail joiners if you don't want them.
Turnouts are also available in all sizes and rail codes from Railway Engineering, BK, and others not normally stocked at hobby shops. See Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette for ads from smaller and niche suppliers.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
You might go with Fast Tracks Jigs for your turnout. From all I've heard, it is impossible to buy a better one. It seems easy enough to do--although I've gotten a jig, I've yet to build my first.
Anyway, you can get them for any track--they make them for ME--I've got a new #4 Jig I'd sell--just kidding, it's a Code 83 ME. I've switched to #5 turnouts.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I am planning my new layout and am trying to decide what type of track to use. I am modeling pre-WWI so smaller track would be preferable. Code 70 or smaller would be esthetically ideal. I use DCC so something DCC friendly or DCC updated would be nice. Non-power routed would be preferred. I might consider code 83. I don't have much time so handlaying track may be impractical. Looking around the internet I find a number of choices:
Micro Engineering: code 70, very good looking. Downside: no #4 or 5, have heard stories about difficulty with getting the flex track to flex. Opinions about the flex track especially the weathered would be appreciated. If I had the room for all #6 this would be my first choice.
Peco: US code 83, nice looking turnouts, but very expensive, has electrofrogs
Shinohara code 70. Not sure this is DCC friendly yet, old shinohara are all live frogs. Great variety of potential turnout types. 3 way turnouts! With the exception of a #4 left hand turnout it seems to all be on back order and unavailable.
Walthers code 83. See Shinohara. Advertised as DCC friendly, not sure if this means live frog or not. Are these still power routing? Great variety, but all on backorder. Walthers says it is coming back in April.
Central Valley turnout kits. I can't tell if these are live frog or dead. At least part of the frog is plastic. Will take code 70 rail that is glued down in a slot to hold it in gauge. A variety of options available. Not sure how sturdy these will be. Does anyone have experience with these?
Atlas: code 83, easily available. Lots of track components. Dead frog, not power routing. Easily replaceable. Good price. Really ugly looking frog. ? reliability.
What have I missed here? Are there other options? I want something that looks good but doesn't take forever to complete. Let me know what you are using and what you recommend. - Nevin