flex track quality

[daniel1967]

I know model power is cheap in price.... and in my opinion, quality...
In the past , I've always used Atlas code 100. Seems ok in quality and I can usually find a box of 100 for around $150.00 to $175.00
Now with my new layout, I'm using walthers code 83 switches, and I'm thinking about using their code 83 flex track too.
The Walthers and other quality brands (peco, precision etc...) seem to run $5.50 a piece or more (even when purchased in bulk).

What makes them worth well over twice the price of atlas? because I can work with the tie thickness variations between brands ( atlas and walthers).

[%-)] thanks, dan

[orsonroy]

Peco hasn't released their code 83 track yet, so there's no real base of comparison for cost. I do know that Peco track is all made in England, as opposed to the far East, so they have to pay first world wages, which will be a LARGE part of the overall cost of their products.

As for quality, I've found that everyone but Micro Engineering is about the same. Micro Engineering track is possibly the most fragile on the market, but that's because it's the most true-to-scale track you can find.

[nslakediv]

go with the atlas, they are the most cost effective. i recently put down 125 pcs. on my new addition. i have tried the walthers and did not like the stiffness of it.

[philnrunt]

Dan- have you looked at Atlas code 83? I started replacing sidings with it a few years back, and it was priced right and well made. I never had the first bit of trouble with it. I am in the process of reclaiming my track due to tearing down the old layout, some of the track gets handled rather roughly, but it all (code 100 and 83) is coming up fine and will be relaid.
IMHO, this is another instance of Walther's thinking a bit too highly of their brand. Everything they stamp their name on seems to go for about 50% more than it's worth, even at sale prices.
Atlas makes good track, why pay more for the same or less quality? Good luck.

[newhavenguy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daniel1967

I know model power is cheap in price.... and in my opinion, quality...
In the past , I've always used Atlas code 100. Seems ok in quality and I can usually find a box of 100 for around $150.00 to $175.00
Now with my new layout, I'm using walthers code 83 switches, and I'm thinking about using their code 83 flex track too.
The Walthers and other quality brands (peco, precision etc...) seem to run $5.50 a piece or more (even when purchased in bulk).

What makes them worth well over twice the price of atlas? because I can work with the tie thickness variations between brands ( atlas and walthers).

[%-)] thanks, dan

Den, The problem with the Walthers track is it's made by Shinohara. The import costs are built into the cost of the track. $5.50 for each piece of track is outragous to me. Not worth the cost.

I am using the Atlas brown ties. Thie track has been upgraded and has smaller ties and spike heads. Looks nice. The tie height difference is not a problem with shims because I do use Walthers code 83 turnouts. It works out just fine for me.

[Anonymous]

Peco is superb quality in my experience. I'll admit that Kato Unitrack is probably the best out there, but it's a bit expensive. If starting a new layout, I would use the new Peco track (code 83) - I use code 100 at the moment which is good, but has chairs rather than spikes holding the rails - not 100% prototypical for US modelling but it works well and looks ok after ballasting and weathering (My approach is simply to clean the rail tops - the sides have become dulled from a combination of spraying on diluted PVA to fix ballast and general ageing over 3/4 years).

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

Peco is superb quality in my experience. I'll admit that Kato Unitrack is probably the best out there, but it's a bit expensive.

Excellant quality but since it is a sectional track system, its geometrics is limited.

[tomwatkins]

I use Atlas code 83 flextrack and Walthers code 83 turnouts and am well satisfied with both. The turnouts have to be shimmed because their ties are thinner than the Atlas ties.This is very quick and easy to do. I use Evergreen .020 styrene strip cut to length. I like the flexibility of the Atlas track compared to several of the more expensive brands.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[Don Gibson]

Engines will run on just about anything - including wood rail - except in HO models we need electricity to power the engine through the track.

Since all flextrack's work, the difference is in looking real.

It seems more than a few are finicky about how close to realism their $100 engines are, but are somewhat less concerned when it comes to track..

After all, they can save $1a foot! *

(current advertised price in MR: Atlas code 83 (3') $2.49 - Walthers Code 83 (3'4") $5.99). Page 96.*

[philnrunt]

Don- true so true,but if you save $ 3.50 each on 100 pieces of flextrack, you can buy 3 of those nice engines! Or a whole lot more flextrack.

[Anonymous]

When I do my [HO] layout over, I'm pretty much set on Atlas flex track , but am not so sure what tutnouts to use. There seems to be a lot of feedback here on Atlas turnouts being subpar. So going to Walthers or Peco seems the logical next choice. I would like to know if atlas turnouts are really the low end , and what are the other manufactures advantages over each other. I would use mostly #6 turnouts except for yard switching, which will be #4 & #6 . Thanks. Roman

[philnrunt]

Roman- again, I've used a whole bunch of Atlas turnouts, all manual, and I've found them to be reliable and well built. I did have a #4 that had a problem that I never could figure out, and replacing it was not a big deal because it did'nt cost $20 to begin with.
I'm sure Peco Kato and Shinohara turnouts are of higher quality, but price figures in to it also. If I were going to have a double slip switch with a triple pliet' and a backflip, I would probably buy the best possible trackwork, but when it's 20 right hand and 20 left hand # 6's, Atlas works just fine.[:D]

[Anonymous]

From what I've read on the forums, the problem with Atlas turnouts is not with them itself, but rather with how they react to the different throwing mecanism.

To recap what I've read around (please correct me if I'm wrong):
1-Atlas turnouts are not of the best quality, but still work fine
2-they tend to "blow out" from the force when switched by a twin coil machine
3-they should work pretty fine with turtle mechanism or manually

I've never build a layout, I'm still in the dreaming process until I can get a space for one, but this would be valuable information for me as when I get to buy my tracks, I'd like to know which brand to go for, so far, I'll go with Atlas flex (probably code 83), but I have no idea yet about the turnouts or the crossings.

[Anonymous]

I'll probably try some of the atlas where I can manually switch them, and go for Walthers or Peco for areas I can't reach, and most of the mainline. If they don't work out well , I'll be able to switch them out fast. I'll take the advice of most , and not use twin coil switches , as it seems the fast /abrupt action, misaligns the points. I'll report back later this winter on what I used ,and how everything is functioning.

[Anonymous]

I've never used any flextrack other than Atlas. Both code 100 and code 83 have worked wonderfully well for me. I have both Atlas and Peco turnouts and have nothing but praise for both. I used Caboose Industries ground throws on the Atlas turnouts and just rely on the spring mechanism on the Peco turnouts.

Cheers,

Ed

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

From what I've read on the forums, the problem with Atlas turnouts is not with them itself, but rather with how they react to the different throwing mecanism.

To recap what I've read around (please correct me if I'm wrong):
1-Atlas turnouts are not of the best quality, but still work fine
2-they tend to "blow out" from the force when switched by a twin coil machine
3-they should work pretty fine with turtle mechanism or manually

I take exception to #2. The only moving parts in a turnout are the points. Atlas points are held by rivets. The more fragile Code 70 turnouts primarily benefit from the gentler (and more expensive) slo-motor switch machines.

ATLAS' 'turnouts and switch machines are mass production items targeted for the new modler starting with a 4' X 8' board. Tighter tolerances here are not deemed beneficial since a multitude of product's need to be accomodated. It's smart to relax the tolerances to handle more products - Deeper flangeways for the older Rivarossi product - wider spacing of guardrails for all the out-of guage wheels that are common . Don't believe me. Take an NMRA guage to the turnout sometime. I am of course refering to the Code 100 product which has been in production 50 years and is still popular because of 'price' (and cheap to make).

Turnouts adhereing closer to NMRA specs are harder to make and cost more for that reason. They also cut down on wheel bounce and derailments on rolling stock - assuming they are in 'spec'. They go 'click' rather than 'clack'. Metal frogs are better than plastic, and when made out of rail, look better than castings.

ATLAS' Code 83 is a later design and I won't address since I don't use. I don't think it will replace Walthers' Shinohara-made track, since the reverse seems to be the norm.

[Anonymous]

I've been using Atlas Code 100 flex & turnouts, but the module set that I just bought (And which is forming the core of my new layout) uses ME code 70 and 83 flex along with ME(Code 70) and Walthers/Shinohara(code 83) turnouts. I suspect I'm going to be using either Walthers/Shinohara or Peco Turnouts with ME Flex for the rest of the layout.

I'm not particularily impressed by the ME turnouts, on the other hand, I need to modify the Shinoharas for DCC compatibility.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rororo

When I do my [HO] layout over, I'm pretty much set on Atlas flex track , but am not so sure what tutnouts to use. There seems to be a lot of feedback here on Atlas turnouts being subpar. So going to Walthers or Peco seems the logical next choice. I would like to know if atlas turnouts are really the low end , and what are the other manufactures advantages over each other. I would use mostly #6 turnouts except for yard switching, which will be #4 & #6 . Thanks. Roman

Not "Sub-Par" - Entry level.

I think most would rate what they are using #1.
From posts:

ATLAS turnouts and flextraxk is the most popular (and cheapest) ... Surprise!
PECO rates better than Atlas and is using old Atlas plastic frog design.
MICRO-Engineering rates better than PECO (for DCC and Code 83)
WALTHERS / SHINOHARA - less derailments -more professional looking. Code 100 -83-70.

SECTIONAL track and roadbed seems to be the least popular - any brand.
How soon we forget that's where we all started.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mykroft

I've been using Atlas Code 100 flex & turnouts, but the module set that I just bought (And which is forming the core of my new layout) uses ME code 70 and 83 flex along with ME(Code 70) and Walthers/Shinohara(code 83) turnouts. I suspect I'm going to be using either Walthers/Shinohara or Peco Turnouts with ME Flex for the rest of the layout.

I'm not particularily impressed by the ME turnouts, on the other hand, I need to modify the Shinoharas for DCC compatibility.

The Shinohara made turnouts would benefit by installing gaps before the frog for DCC, The ME turnouts already have an isolated frog (casting). I think if you add any Peco, you'll be disappointed.

Newer Walthers/Shinohara production is supposed to have the DCC modification