HO scale track size (code) question/opinion

[R. T. POTEET]

This is a moot point since I am not an HO-Scaler but before converting to N-Scale over a quarter of a century ago I had settled on Codes 83 and 70; were I to go back into HO-Scale I would return to that code of track.

[Gil Janus]

I'm using Peco Code 75 - most of my track will be either in streets, or inside of buildings, or on wharves and piers. Almost none of it will be fully exposed, so I'm not worried that it will look too British. And the yards will be dirt, just like the real ones, so I'm pretty sure that I will be happy.

I would have chosen Peco Code 83, but the lack of small, tight switches and crossings, made it difficult to choose, so I went with the Code 75. I'm not up to making my own - maybe in the future. I might pickup some of the street track (girder rail) from proto87.com and see how it looks and runs on the wharves.

I like they way Peco Code 75 looks and the little bit of it I've put down so far, my trains run on it very well.

Building a Brooklyn Waterfront shelf layout, to be served by a carfloat of course.

Gil

[fwright]

nfmisso

Hi Fred;

Code 83 is too big for the my application, number 6 turnouts are too long, which as far as I can tell leaves CVT kits with code 70, hand layed or Peco code 75.  The club I belonged in OKC did have not had good experience with Shinohara, and had excellent experience with Peco.  The ties will be pretty much buried at coal mine, so that is not too big a concern.

 

Thanks for the explanation.  It makes sense now.

Unfortunately for those of us who prefer lighter rail, the code 55 split the difference between the existing code 70 and code 40 rail.  Better would have been code 59 or 57 for 85 or 80lb rail, and code 49 for 60lb rail.  So we have to use code 55 rail for both.

For N, the ideal sizes would be code 45 (132lb rail, or 50lb rail in HO) and code 38 (100lb rail).  Code 40 = 110lb rail in N.

Putting the 2 scales together, the ideal lineup would be code 38 (100lb, 35lb), code 45 (132lb, 50lb), code 55 (or 57), code 70 (and/or 75) and code 83.  But I'm not sure the smaller differences would be all that detectable in a weathered track installation.  The need is probably there for an accurate 132lb rail in N for modern prototype main lines.

Fred

 

[pastorbob]

Since my layout was started in 1984, most of the mainline on all three decks is code 100, A lot of it is ME.  I also have used code 83 and code 70 on some more recent additions/changes.

Switches are mostly Peco and Shinohara.  Quite a bit of the mainline is handlaid code 100 on wood ties (NMRA MMR stuff), and includes some scratchbuilt switches for the same reason.

Bob

[nfmisso]

fwright

......

I'm curious as to why you would use Peco code 75 track with it's British appearance in regards to ties (sleepers) and tie spacing.  The turnouts in particular don't have a North American appearance.  Peco brought out their code 83 line to better model North American practice. 

Hi Fred;

Code 83 is too big for the my application, number 6 turnouts are too long, which as far as I can tell leaves CVT kits with code 70, hand layed or Peco code 75.  The club I belonged in OKC did have not had good experience with Shinohara, and had excellent experience with Peco.  The ties will be pretty much buried at coal mine, so that is not too big a concern.

[Ibflattop]

For my Mainline I am using Atlas Code 83.  For my Yard track and sidings I will use Code 70. Also I am thinking about trying code 55 for my upper part of my layout which is a Branchline off of the mainline to end at a Grainery.    Kevin

[Doc in CT]

Code 83 Atlas (mostly flex) on main level including yards.
Code 100 Atlas on lower level staging.
Commercial turnouts; blend of Atlas and Peco (where appearance counts)

[alco_fan]

The PECO C75 turnouts are pretty small, handy for tight spaces.

[fwright]

nfmisso

I am curious as to which track sizes (codes) HO scale standard guage modelers are using.  I am aware of code 100, 83, 80, 75, 70, 55, and 40 being used. 

• Which size(s) are you using?
• Are you handlaying track?

I am planning on a small coal mine layout, and at the present am leaning towards Peco code 75. 

Thank you

 

I'm curious as to why you would use Peco code 75 track with it's British appearance in regards to ties (sleepers) and tie spacing.  The turnouts in particular don't have a North American appearance.  Peco brought out their code 83 line to better model North American practice. 

As for me, I model 1900 in HO and HOn3.  For the initial track work, I am using Atlas code 83 and Shinohara/ME code 70 and 55 in narrow gauge in an effort to get the test track running quickly.  Additional and future track will be handlaid using code 70, 55, and 40.  Code 70 is really too big for the era, and code 40 is a little light for all but the least-used spurs.  I am using the different sizes to emphasize the differences in gauges and track usage.

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W

[dstarr]

My entire layout is code 100 flex track, mostly Atlas, some Peco and Micro Engineering. 

Code 100 is somewhat over sized for HO, but it is common as dirt and cheap.  Code 83 is about scale size for heavy mainline rail.  It's pretty easy to buy and will become the HO standard sometime in the future.  Unless your eyes are phenomenal you will not see any difference between 83 and 80.  Code 75 is not terribly common but is probably a good size for lighter rail used off the main line.  Code 55 and code 40 are so small as to cause trouble with even RP25 flanges hitting spikes.

If you are concerned with the appearance of the rail, paint it rust brown.  Painted rail looks much smaller than bright and shiney nickel silver.  

 

[shayfan84325]

 I use ME code 70 for the whole thing.  My layout is set in the early 20th century, and rail was lighter than it is now.  Code 70 scales to 6 inches tall; code 83 represents 7.22 inches, and code 100 is almost 9" tall rail.  For me, code 70 looks most realistic for most situations.

[Espee Black Widow]

I used Shinohara code 70 flex track and turnouts and a few code 70 Micro Engineering turnouts when I couldn't get the Shinohara's.

[trainnut1250]

Atlas code 100 in staging - 400'

ME code 83 - Class one Mainline - 100'

Me Code 70 - light branch line and sidings off of Class one - 150'

ME code 55 industrial sidings, yard sidings - 60'

The only scratchbuilt track is specialty turnouts and crossings - roughly 7 out of 70+ turnouts.  Most turnouts are ME in codes 83 and 70.  Others include Shinohara, Railway Engineering, Peco, Darr, BK and Litco

I would suggest switching to code 70 so that you have more options available from a variety of companies, presuming that you aren't going to hand lay your track.

My two cents,

 

Guy

[tomikawaTT]

For the 1067mm gauge lines on my layout (actual gauge 16.5mm.) 

The Netherworld (hidden staging and thoroughfares) Atlas Code 100 flex, hand laid code 100 specialwork.

Visible main line and other heavy duty track, Atlas code 83 flex (some on concrete ties,) hand-laid code 83 specialwork.

Secondary spurs, code 70,  handlaid.

Semi-abandoned spurs smothered in weeds, code 55.

That gives me a rough approximation of the actual rail sizes used by my prototypes (except for the Code 100, which isn't intended to see the light of day.)

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[Guilford Guy]

Code 100 on the module, Code 70 on the layout main, and Code 50 sides on the layout sidings. I've found that as the railhead shrinks with the smaller codes, you need to be more aggressive with keeping the track and wheelsets clean, but when keeping wheels and track clean it works fine.

[larak]

nfmisso

• Which size(s) are you using?

 

Code 100 on double track main, code 83 on mountain line, sidings, spurs, yard. Some code 70 on interchanging railroads, industrial areas and mtn. line spurs. A touch of code 55 for "abandoned" track.

If I had it to do over (with today's availability) I MIGHT drop down one size.

Karl

PS: no handlaying yet. 

[stilson4283]

Switches made using a fasttrack template.

Mainline: Code 83

Sidings/yards Code 70

All on CVT tie strips

Chris

Lancaster, CA

[Bill H.]

Rebuilding to true proto87 spec.

code 70 & 55 

turnouts handbuilt, (ground throws), track handlaid.

40% of equipment original wheels have been turned down to proto87 specs. (Microlux)

 

 

 

[RedGrey62]

Mainling - Code 83

Passing Sidings and Yards - Code 70

Industrial spurs - possibly Code 55

Ricky

[RailfanS]

I'm using Atlas Code 100 on my layout.

Jamie

[willy6]

I'm using HO scale code 83 Atlas.

[wjstix]

 I'm using Kato Unitrack for HO, with narrow-profile code 83 track.

[nfmisso]

I am curious as to which track sizes (codes) HO scale standard guage modelers are using.  I am aware of code 100, 83, 80, 75, 70, 55, and 40 being used. 

• Which size(s) are you using?
• Are you handlaying track?

I am planning on a small coal mine layout, and at the present am leaning towards Peco code 75. 

Thank you