Code 100 and Code 83?

[jrbernier]

If your engine derails after coming out of a curve, I would suspect a bad rail joint, or a dip on the outside rail. Also, what radius are you using? I have a 22" radius curve, and had a very small low area where there was a joint. All of my 4 axle engines ran through it fine. A brass SDL39(6 axle) would derail once in a while. My BLI USRA 2-8-2's would derail most of the time. A lot of 'trial & error' shim work and I was able to resolve the issue.

Jim Bernier

[AntonioFP45]

Regardless whether a modeler uses Code 83 or Code 100, it's a good rule of thumb to use the same type of rail on the Main Line portions of his/her layout.

It's not so much as a concern for the "untrained eyes" not being able to spot the difference, but for YOU the modeler since as time goes and we continue improving our layouts and advancing our "realism" skills, details like this suddenly become a little annoying.

I was considering using code 100 on my upcoming layout but have decided to go with Code 83 since it more realistically resembles the Class 5 mainline track of the American prototypes. However, if I were to use Code 100, I would definetly airbru***he ties with a mixture of brown and grime colors

(BTW: Code 100 resembles the "long gone" 155 pound per yard rail that the Pennsylvania Railroad used decades back on it's heavily used lines. You can see pictures of it in some Don Ball books. Those rails were tall!)

Cheers!

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joekc6nlx

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

On the mainline, yes it's a bad idea to mix code 83 and 100. Code 83 rail is .083" and code
100 is .100" so the difference is small but enough to cause problems.Atlas makes a
transition joiner but its better to stay with one or the other. Code 83 has brown ties and
100 has black ties. Dave

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall seeing some Atlas Code 100 retailed with brown ties. If that's true, then you can't go by the color of the ties. Just another thing to worry about - don't forget to bring the micrometer next time I visit the LHS. [:D]

I haven't seen any Atlas Code 100 in brown (not saying that it doesn't exist, I just haven't seen it.) but Peco Code 100 track has brown ties.

Not that it matters, really, if ties are black or brown or livid pink...If a model railroader is interested enough in wanting more realism by using Code 83 vs. Code 100 track, it's a pretty safe bet that they're going to paint the ties anyhow, thus making a difference in the color of the plastic ties fairly academic.

And, frankly, even Code 100 track with a coat of paint looks a hell of a lot more realistic than unpainted Code 83...a mere .017" in height doesn't mean much if it's all shiny nickel-silver on shiny plastic ties with no ballast. Of course, Code 83 or smaller rail would look even nicer painted...

[RhB_HJ]

If it's only one engine giving problems, check the wheels for proper gauge.

If it's several items always at the same spot check the track. Kinks, tight gauge, stray ballast and undulations being the most common causes.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joekc6nlx

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

On the mainline, yes it's a bad idea to mix code 83 and 100. Code 83 rail is .083" and code
100 is .100" so the difference is small but enough to cause problems.Atlas makes a
transition joiner but its better to stay with one or the other. Code 83 has brown ties and
100 has black ties. Dave

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall seeing some Atlas Code 100 retailed with brown ties. If that's true, then you can't go by the color of the ties. Just another thing to worry about - don't forget to bring the micrometer next time I visit the LHS. [:D]

Not to my knowledge. Code 83 Is brown and code 100 is black. And calipers are
quicker. Dave

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

On the mainline, yes it's a bad idea to mix code 83 and 100. Code 83 rail is .083" and code
100 is .100" so the difference is small but enough to cause problems.Atlas makes a
transition joiner but its better to stay with one or the other. Code 83 has brown ties and
100 has black ties. Dave

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall seeing some Atlas Code 100 retailed with brown ties. If that's true, then you can't go by the color of the ties. Just another thing to worry about - don't forget to bring the micrometer next time I visit the LHS. [:D]

[Jetrock]

I suppose the difference is in application--if you indiscriminately mix Code 83 and Code 100 you're probably asking for trouble, but if you use Code 83 for sidings and less-used branch lines and Code 100 for the mainline, you'll generally be okay. That way, the transitions are in lower-speed areas and utilized more by cars and switch engines rather than your big power. Transition joiners can help prevent that little bump in the rails, too.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

And mixing Atlas code 83 with any code 100 is not a big deal, because Atlas's code 83 has ties that are .017" thicker than thier code 100, making the bottom of tie to top of rail dimension the same for both types.

A C44-9W should hve no trouble with code 83, or even code 70 for that matter. It will be sensitive to both horizontal and vertical kinks.

I beg to differ Nigel[8D]:
The ties are thicker BUT if you connect the two using standard rail joiners the code 100 track is .017 taller than the code 83, making a noticable "bump" in the track.
http://community.webshots.com/s/image2/8/85/68/111888568EvEpkg_ph.jpg
The code 83 is on the left. Its a little blurry but I think you'll get the idea.
I tried to point it out with a pointer. look at the far rail to see it more clearly. Dave
If this pic doesn't load wait a few minutes and try again> It takes a while to become active on the web

[Big_Boy_4005]

Modelers always used to complain that code 100 was oversized, and code 70 was too small for mainlines. Code 83 has been available for over 20 years, but didn't become mainstream until Atlas started to make it.

As long as you make a smooth transition, It shouldn't make any difference. Only the well "TRAINED" eye will spot the difference. The "UN-TRAINED" eye will say "look at the choo choo".

Have fun![:D]

[Anonymous]

The problem could still be at the curves. My Dash 9's would come around a curve and be on the straight a way and the lead axle would not be on the track right. I thought it was a problem on the straight but that was because that is where I noticed it. I corrected the problem by removing the trucks and using a dremel ground down the sides of the frame where the trucks sit. That fixed my problem.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

For my first layout that I started with my father 20 yrs ago, I used all code 100 track, mostly Atlas. Now I use code 83 for all the mains, and smaller codes for the sidings, mostly code 70. I don't use code 100 for anything anymore because all my old track was brass and the corrosion is non-conductive so it all got replaced with the newer more scale rail.

The reason for the code size differences is to add just a little more realism to the layout as not all rail is created equaly in the real railroads, so you can emulate that on your layout as well.

Happy railroading [:)]

Warren

[nfmisso]

And mixing Atlas code 83 with any code 100 is not a big deal, because Atlas's code 83 has ties that are .017" thicker than thier code 100, making the bottom of tie to top of rail dimension the same for both types.

A C44-9W should hve no trouble with code 83, or even code 70 for that matter. It will be sensitive to both horizontal and vertical kinks.

[Anonymous]

Oooh, that helps out alot. Means I have no Code 83. Woohoo. Thanks!

[dave9999]

On the mainline, yes it's a bad idea to mix code 83 and 100. Code 83 rail is .083" and code
100 is .100" so the difference is small but enough to cause problems.Atlas makes a
transition joiner but its better to stay with one or the other. Code 83 has brown ties and
100 has black ties. Dave

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'm building my first serious railroad and have been using code 100 Atlas track for everything. At least I think I have. My question is really how much difference there is in size between the two and if it's a REAL bad idea to mix the two occasionally. I am, of course, having the first issues with derailing, espicially with a C44-9W 8 axle. It's not my turn radius', so I'm beginning to suspect I used Code 83 somewhere. Or am I barking up the wrong tree and the two are hugely different in size?