anybody use the MP code 100 flex track ?

[Anonymous]

Anybody have any opinions ,comments on the Model Power code 100 flex track ? It's nearly half the price of Atlas, BUT ..... [:0] There's always a reason ! Any input on matching it up to other manufacturers track products ?

[bcammack]

I know that the code 80 N scale stuff is quite a bit stiffer than the Atlas stuff. This may apply to the HO flex track as well. I remember saying that it was good for yards and other places where you needed long, straight lengths of track.

[RedLeader]

What type of metal alloy it has? Be careful with this, or you'll end up with a corroded bunch of track, that you must be cleaning every day.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RedLeader

What type of metal alloy it has? Be careful with this, or you'll end up with a corroded bunch of track, that you must be cleaning every day.

Exactly. When I first got in the hobby I used this track. Didn't take too long before problems started popping up. I spent more time cleaning the track then running trains on it. The extra money for the Atlas track is worth it. It only takes a few swipes with a cleaner bar and it's clean. I've had my layout up and running for quite some time now and have only needed to clean the track once so far using Atlas.

Jeremy

[cacole]

I've used a couple hundred pieces of Model Power Nickel Silver code 100 flex track on the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's layout. The only difference between it and Atlas is that the Model Power track is not as flexible as Atlas. I think Model Power's track has more realistically sized and spaced crossties than Atlas track, but it is slightly more difficult to work with due to its stiffness, especially on the curves. Model Power track is made in Italy, by the way. The last Atlas flex track I saw was marked as made in China.

[Anonymous]

Cacole ; do you think the investment in the MP was worth it ? If you had to do it over again, would you just spring for the Atlas track ? Juby4life you seem to not recommend it at all. Do you think there were other factors (like humidity) that may have turned you away before a reasonable evaluation ? Since it's an Nickel-silver track, it should be as reliable as Atlas. I wonder if others found a similar problem.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

The last Atlas flex track I saw was marked as made in China.

The Atlas Code 83 flex track is made in China; the Code 100 flex track is made in the USA.

[cacole]

As far as the quality of the rail is concerned, there is no discernable difference between Atlas and Model Power. The only difference seems to be in the crossties and their stiffness. Model Power is no more difficult to keep clean than any other nickel silver rail.

[cwclark]

I agree with the above...Atlas is a lot more flexible then the Model Power track but the ties are more realistic on the MP...I just laid 310' of Atlas and now i have another 300' of MP track to lay...I usually get what is the cheapest when I compare prices and have found that there is not much difference in the two brands of flex track...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

cwclark ; I assume you kept the MP for the straighter runs. Does anybody have a decent guess on the radius degree that the MP becomes too hard to work with ?

[Anonymous]

The Model Power track I had was defintely different track then the Atlas. The metal that is. It didn't shine like Atlas' and seemed like a coarser metal. It was also very hard to solder to. This was years ago so my memory is too clear. Maybe it wasn't MP track but I sure thought it was. As far as different environment, this is the only house that I've had a layout in and the same room. I do know it wasn't brass. Maybe I got a bad batch.[:D]

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

I think juby4life is talking about the old steel track that model Power, Bachmann, and even Atlas used to sell, right next to the brass offerings. The newer Model Power track has Ni\ckel Silver rails, not plain steel like before.

[Anonymous]

Anyone care to chime in about the aprox. radius where the MP flex track starts getting tough to work with. If it'll do a 28 r curve , I might give it a shot on the whole layout.

[coal drag]

Buy a piece or two of each and experiment. You'll know first hand weather or not which one to buy. You can always use what you don't end up using in a yard or siding.

[Anonymous]

unfortunately MP isn't available by the piece. the smallest purchase that i've found is 10 pcs. and by mail order. if i order other things , i'll do that.

[BRAKIE]

I have used MP flex track on some of my past industrial switching layouts.It worked rather well.However,I prefer and use Atlas track..

[Anonymous]

Nobody seems to want to recommend it for curves. When I do start the new layout, I'll report back on the radius on which MP track starts to become too tough to work with, if that indeed is the case.

[cwclark]

My last layout was all MP flex track and i got a 15" radius out of it with no problem...my new layout will have no radii less than 26" so it's a good bet the MP track will work just fine...I like the stiffer track anyway..it stays in place better once it's curved...the atlas track always sprung back into a straight position before i could get it in place...Chuck

[Anonymous]

cwclark ; thanks for the follow-up . I'll order a bigger batch and give it a go !