Flex track

[Anonymous]

Which flex track is the best Atlas code 80, Atlas code 55 or Peco flex track?????

[Anonymous]

Well I have heard the atlas code 100 is practically indestructible but is prototypically too large.
Code 83 seems to be the favorite
Peco turnouts are modeled after european prototypes so to me looks weird on american layouts. I am using shinohara code 70 works real nice and has in my opinion more selction when I was pricing track I wanted to buy it from one place in one order not hunt for it piece by piece Walthers code 83 is that way and peco the same one person had one size turnout but not all the ones i wanted. I like the code 70 it looks close to the right size to the engines wheels.
I have parts ofmy mainline up now and the only problem I have is an old matua steam engine that needs new 6 wheel trucks with RP25 flanges.
No derailments to report of course it took me a long time to laytrack and I was very methodical about it and did not rush.

[johncolley]

It depends on the scale...you didn't say if you are doing HO or N! For HO I use microengineering code 83 for main and 70 for all off-main trackage. If in N I would suggest 55 for the best place to start.

[twhite]

I'm one of those old dinosaurs that still uses Atlas Code 100 flex track. Granted, it's much larger than the prototype, but with proper painting and ballasting, it tends to look smaller and more prototypical. For turnouts, I use Sinohara code 100 (you can also get it in code 83 under the Walther's name) and they work extremely well right out of the box. Very little--if any-- filing to get the points derail-proof. One of the reasons I opted out of Code 83 was that I have a couple of European prototype locomotives that I like to run occasionally, and the deep flanges seem to bounce along the ties with the smaller rail. So, Code 100. What the heck, my trains stay on the track--mostly.

[Anonymous]

twhite and unionpacific4018, I hate to make your replies pointless, but nedarb is definitely modeling N scale because Atlas doesn't make code 55 for HO. Other than that, I can't give my opinion because I don't model N scale.
Reed

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nedarb


Which flex track is the best Atlas code 80, Atlas code 55 or Peco flex track?????

None of the above.

BEST in what? Looks?, Function?, or Price?

If you look at photographs with trackwork of your favorite RR, Code 70 probably looks the most approximate for HO, with continous rail switch points and metal-rail frogs. N gauge? - you take what you can get.

Cheapest: Atlas or Model Power Code 100
Looks: Micro Engineering or Shinohara made.
Function: BK Enterprises makes a virtual derailment-free turnout with continous rail points and metal rail frogs. A kit to be spiked in place - not exactly for instant gratification.
Flexing: Some like it stiff. Some like it soft. Easier flexing is accomplished by loosening the plastic 'spikes' - which also loosens the tolerances (gauge).

Most modeler's want perfection and new people to the hobby want to know what is "Best"? - but generally buy what's cheapest - at least to start. You??

[BRAKIE]

For track that is readily available and affordable then Atlas is the brand to buy..
Atlas code 80 seems to be the most popular with the majority of the modelers.
The Atlas track is very easy to work with but,some what more flexible then most brands.
About C55.The C55 may require smaller flanges then what comes on most N scale freight cars and some brands of locomotives..For the cars you will need to switch to the MT trucks with the low profile wheelsets..

[Don Gibson]

BRAKIE:
Is there a difference between Atlas code 80 , and other's code 83?

IF Atlas 'Flextrack' is "very easy to work with", how do you explain it?

What is "Affordable"? - if not a personal opinion that varies greatly from person to person, and even product to product ?

[DSchmitt]

For N scale I use

Main lines: code 80 Peco switches with Atlas and/or Peco flex track Tjust use what I have handy and don't worry about mixing them.

Secondary lines: code 55 Peco with code 55 Peco flex track.

For special track work (for instance crossing). I use whatever brand I find that fits, which is usually Atlas code 80

Peco code 55 is really code 80, but its design makes it look smaller. I can run my 30+ year old equipment on it with no problem.

One reason I like Peco N scale track is that the rail head is narrower than some other brands. I think the width of the rail is more noticable than the height. Atlas Code 80 has a narrow rail head too.

I have also used sections of Kato Unitrack mixed in with the Atlas and Peco code 80.
The plastic connectors are easily removed (they are snap fit). Then a standard rail joiner fits.

I have not used Atlas code 55, but articles about it state that equipment with deep wheel flanges does not run well on it. This is not a problem with the better quality locos and cars made in the last few years. Wheels on cars can be easily replaced. Locos wheels are not easily replaced. It is reported that the older deep flanges work fine on Micro Engineering code 55.

[Anonymous]

I have enjoyed success with all three and can recommend them. I personally favor code 55 rail for N scale because it's closer to scale (code 40 is even better, but more finicky).

As for brand, it's rather a pointless argument. Use the one you feel most comfortable with.