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Track Compatibility

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  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 6:41 AM

I'd agree with Tom, you can mix track but you have to be williing to make the adaptations.  For beginners I wouldn't mix it.  For experience modelers, its not a major issue.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
  • 12,914 posts
Posted by tomikawaTT on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 8:28 PM

I'm going to contradict Brakie here - but not really.

It is possible to mix track of the same gauge with wild abandon - Unitrack, flex track, Peco turnouts, various rail heights (codes,) even hand-laid on wood ties (or directly to a pine plank.)

HOWEVER!!!  Be prepared to do some serious shimming, and to get REALLY creative with connecting one rail to the next.  The only non-negotiable invariant is that the tops and inside edges of the railheads must be aligned within a (very) few thousandths of an inch.

OTOH, if you don't want the hassle, stick to one supplier.

Just my My 2 cents [2c].  Other opinions differ.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with a variety of rail heights from several flex-track manufacturers, plus hand-laid specialwork))

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:18 AM
I agree with loather..You got to use one or the other since Atlas's standard C83 is not compatible with Kato's Unitrack.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:11 AM
I would just use one OR the other. Your kind of trying to mix apples and oranges.
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Lewis Center, Ohio
  • 25 posts
Track Compatibility
Posted by Gary 740 on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:22 AM

I am planning on changing my HO layout over to Kato's Unitrack. If I do, how compatible is this track brand with Atlas code 83 track? There are a few instances where I might want to use the other brand.

thanks

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