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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by MiniCG Thanks guys! It didn't dawn on me that this could be prototypical. [:I] The current track we are using is Atlas code 100 snap track. We bought the starter pack just to see if our new Rivarossi Heisler would run. When we build our layout, we wanted to get the code 83 flex track. Is this a better track or should we go with Unitrack? TIA Cindy [/quote] What track you use is your personal preference based upon your experience with track laying and how realistic you want your layout to be. The "Code" indicates the height of the rail in inches. Code 100 = 0.100 inches, Code 83 = 0.083 inches, Code 70 = 0.070, Code 55 = 0.055 and Code 40 = 0.040. On real railroads, rail is measured in how many pounds one yard of the rail weighs. Today, most mainline laid with 132lb rail. Sidings and lesser used branch lines will be laid with lighter rail as it is less expensive, often the lighter rail was previously used at another location that was either upgraded to heavier rail, or abandoned and the rail taken up. In HO scale, Code 70 is approximately 100 lb rail. Code 83 equates to 132lb rail. Code 100 is oversized, but it is used often for model railroads due in part because some manufacturers produce locomotives and cars with long oversized flanges on the wheels. These long flanges will hit the ties on small rail sizes. Any HO scale wheels that meet the NMRA RP-25 profile will operate on most any rail size. Your new Rivarossi Heisler has RP-25 wheels according to Walters's catalog, so you should have no problem on smaller rail if you choose to use it. Note: If rail of different sizes is connected together, you will have to use an adapter joiner or track due to the height difference of the rails. Unitrack is Kato's brand of combined snaptrack and roadbed. There are others such as Atlas's True Track and Bachmann's EZ-Track. All of these use code 100 rail. If you do not want to lay seperate roadbed and track, or you want to quickly set up a temporary layout, this is a good product to use. However, at present, Unitrack, Truetrack and EZ-Track cannot be intermixed due to different designs in the locking mechanism. Regular track (without roadbed) can be intermixed freely among manufacturers, and there is more variety of ready-made track components available. Heisler locomotives are powerful slow speed locomotives designed to negotiate rough track and steep grades. They were used mostly on logging or mining railroads, that would eventually be taken up and relaid in another direction as the trees were all cut down, or the mine played out.. These railroads would typically use very light rail to keep the expense down. Ultimately it is your choice. I would however, recommend that you use nickel silver rail as opposed to brass or steel. Steel, though realistic, can rust, and brass will oxidize requiring frequent cleanings. Please note that Bachmann EZ-Track with black roadbed uses steel rail, whereby the EZ-Track with gray roadbed is nickel-silver. Hope this helps, Happy modeling! Dale B.
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