I am starting a new layout (ended my old layout and starting fresh). I need to buy new track and I typically have just bought what my lhs had for flex track. I think they sell Atlas. I just am wondering with other brands like Peco if there is a better brand over others? Same question for the cork roadbed, I think my store sells midwest brand. I probably should expand this question for turnouts as well. I appreciate all of your expert advise and recommendations.
thank you!
Chuck
http://www.chuckcondron.com/CCLayout/index.html
Depending on the brand, the price of track can vary quite a bit so that may affect your decision. Also how they flex can be a determining factor. Some stay in the shape they have been flexed to and others spring back to straight. I chose mine solely on how it looked, the other issues were not as important.
As far as what's best, I'll leave that question for wiser people to answer. I think it is more a personal preference issue than anything else.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
VulcanCCIT I am starting a new layout (ended my old layout and starting fresh). I need to buy new track and I typically have just bought what my lhs had for flex track. I think they sell Atlas. I just am wondering with other brands like Peco if there is a better brand over others? Same question for the cork roadbed, I think my store sells midwest brand. I probably should expand this question for turnouts as well. I appreciate all of your expert advise and recommendations.
Define your criteria for "better" or "best", and we might have a chance of advising you correctly.
Some brands look more realistic than others. Some cost more than others. I might value appearance over price; you might be just the opposite.
Some brands of flex track have "springy" rails, others hold the curve they are bent to from the get-go. Some are more difficult to curve than others. Again, depends on personal preference in how you lay track which you might prefer.
Turnouts vary in wiring, appearance, and price. Of course, like track you can mix and match from different brands. You do have to be prepared to shim those brands whose ties are not as high as another at the joints. But I don't consider that difficult, but you might decide it's not worth the trouble and stick with one brand.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Different looks and flex with each brand. Atlas stays flexy/whippy which I happen to like. It will not hold a shape once you bend it to a desired radius. Atlas turn outs are not as protoypical looking as Shinohara/Walthers or Peco "American" brands. Big fat frogs ;-) They are the least expensive, generally and have many users. Peco turn outs have a spring loaded feature that hold the points against the rail(s) for more assured electric conductivity but these springs may need to be stretched to reduce their strength a bit to allow tortoise electric/ slow motion switch machines to work well with them. Atlas switch machines are generally avoided as a coil/ snap switch type. Easy to burn them out if the electrical switch is held too long.
Micro engineering makes a very nice, VERY stiff track with nice plate and spike detail. Users love it's ability to hold a curve once it's bent (even when waved around in the air!) but others like myself find it fights me too much and I'd rather just nail it down as I go with Atlas.
Trainworld has sales on Model Power track which I've never seen myself but haven't heard great things about it from a few friends who went back to Atlas.
Atlas code 83 matches up with Shinohara/Walthers rail height but not with Peco's original track. (The American version might be different).
For ease of local purchase Atlas track with Shinohara turn outs has been my choice. I wasn't happy with the looks of the Atlas turn out frogs but am with their flex track. If you decide on Shinohara/Walthers turn outs be sure to order as soon as you can because they can sometimes be hard to find between production runs.
Hope you find that helpful for starters.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Awesome responses from all of you and I thank you! Some asked what was my criteria for best. I was not really sure until I read the responses. I would say for me best would be realistic, and durable. I guess they all are fairly durable. I must of always been buying Atlas as it was the type that sprang back to shape (Unless I glued it of course). The type that stays in the shape you bent it too sounds cool if you are doing track planning, then I could change my track plan easier correct? What type is it that stays in shape?
Once it's down and ballasted, it's really very hard to tell the difference between the different brands of flex track. Model Power flex has stiffer rail than Atlas, and Peco seems to have the most flexible, but again it's a matter of personal choice with no one brand being any better than the others that I can tell.
I'm not sure if there is a best, they all have unique characteristic that some modelers enjoy and others don't. I've had excellent results with Walthers/Shinohara track and turnouts---to me they were easy to install and look very nice, particularly after weathering.
One word of caution: if you do mix and match brands be aware that the tie thickness is not the same from one brand to another. It's ok to mix and match, but you will probably need some kind of shim to adjust for the different heights, usually a thin piece of styrene works very well.
Wayne
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
Capt. Grimek Trainworld has sales on Model Power track which I've never seen myself but haven't heard great things about it from a few friends who went back to Atlas. Jim
I don't think Trainworld has any more Model Power (actually GT brand from Italy) Code 83 flex track as I seem to have received the last 50 pieces. I had ordered a pack of 100 but they called and said they could only dig up two packs of 25. Their current ads no longer list the Code 83 flex track so I guess its a done deal from them. A shame since the price was significantly less than even Atlas Code 100 and the track is of good quality. Yes, it takes a bit more work to shape a curve but once you figure out how, it works nicely. Also, it is indeed nickel silver rail, not brass as some people have claimed.
Hornblower
I have used Model Power code 83 with Walthers turnouts. One thing I did find is that the rail profile of the Model Power is a little greater than Walthers, 0.090" compared with 0.085" for Walthers, enough to create a noticeable discontinuity at the joint.
Our group has just purchased a batch of Peco code 83. Initial impression is that the Peco turnouts look a little better than the Walthers. I haven't worked with the track yet so it will be interesting to see.
Bill
RE:Best Code 83 Track brand?
This might be a pretty subjective topic! I'm guessing many of the answers you get would reflect simple bias.
If I were to start over again, I doubt that I would be willing to pay the extra cost of code 83 track and turnouts. My Atlas code 100 that is painted and weathered looks fine to me and saved me hundred of dollars over Code 83. At the time I started however, there was only hand laying, Shinohara (Walther's) and maybe Peco 83 as options to Code 100!
Yes, I can see that Code 83 is more realistic, just unconvinced that it is that more realistic to warrant the extra cost!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Capt. Grimek Atlas code 83 matches up with Shinohara/Walthers rail height but not with Peco's original track. (The American version might be different).
I don't believe that this is correct. Atlas code 83 and Atlas code 100 will match in rail height. However I find that I always have to shim Shinohara/Walthers code 83 turnouts to get them to match Atlas code 83 in height.
Code 83 rail height is supposed to be .083, code 100 is .100. Code 100 will be .017 taller than code 83. If your talking about track height (Rail and Ties together) then maybe...
NP2626 Code 83 rail height is supposed to be .083, code 100 is .100. Code 100 will be .017 taller than code 83. If your talking about track height (Rail and Ties together) then maybe...
If you actually measure the rail height (rail alone) of different brand track, you will find that few are actually 0.083" or 0.100" in height. As previously stated, Walthers Code 83 is around 0.085" while Model Power (GT) Code 83 is around 0.090" high. Add in different tie heights and vertical misalignment between brands becomes a chronic problem.
Yes, rail and ties together. Atlas has thicker ties under their code 83 so that the combined height of the track and ties is the same as their code 100. However, that combination makes the Atlas code 83 track assembly higher than the Walthers/Shinohara track/tie combination.
Are there any European companies manufacturing/marketing Code 83 track and turnouts?I'm asking about any company making Code 83 for European market.
I'm not talking about American companys having their Code 83 made in offshore companies such as China, Korea, Japan, Europe for their American clients.
Peco would be one exception, as they are 'European', or at least once were.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Except Peco 83 is made to US standards. Their 100 and 75 is made per UK standards.
Roco, at least their roadbed track, is code 83.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Atlas turnouts have points that want to migrate back to center if not held in some way. Atlas flex track is springy. Atlas products are probably the least expensive, but that doesn't mean they are not robust.
Peco turnouts have a "click" to the point rails when switched, so they hold their position tight against the rails. Peco turnouts are more compact than Atlas which can be an advantage in a layout that has several turnouts clustered together. Peco flextrack will tend to hold its bend. Peco products are probably the most expensive but it doesn't mean they are constructed better, IMO.
Micro Engineeering turnouts hold their points against the rails like Peco. Their flex track is less bendy than the others and some think that makes it more difficult to work with. ME is considered to be the most realistic looking of all track products.
As another has mentioned, be careful in mixing brands. Its not a problem, but Peco will have a slighty lower tie height which requires some shimming of their track in order to perfectly match the others. So if you pick Peco, you might want to make sure you use both their turnouts and flex track. Atlas and ME tend to match up well so you can mix flex and turnouts if you favor one product over the other.
- Douglas
It's all a matter if personal preference. There's pros and cons to each brand. And while some of the more detailed and beautiful looking ones look awesome they are a lot more expensive and harder to work with. None of the commercial turnouts complain with nmra spec either.
If you want a compliant nmra code 83 turnout, get a fast tracks jig and build it yourself.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Appearance is important to me, however, who has the largest selection of turnouts, Curved turnouts, crossovers, Ys, double slips, etc?
Life is easier if you don't have to use shims and/or bring out the file. This might even be more important than appearance if you want a lot of turnouts.
railandsail Are there any European companies manufacturing/marketing Code 83 track and turnouts?I'm asking about any company making Code 83 for European market. I'm not talking about American companys having their Code 83 made in offshore companies such as China, Korea, Japan, Europe for their American clients. Peco would be one exception, as they are 'European', or at least once were.
Are you planning on running European trains?
Sheldon
Best? For me? Best for Sheldon? Best for Tom or Ed? Best for you? I can not answer which is best for anybody other then myself.
For me it Peco switches and Micro Engineering flex track.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Best is extremely subjective.
I like ME flex, but turnouts are mixed.
Others prefer other track.
So, best is extremely subjective.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
DoughlessAs another has mentioned, be careful in mixing brands. Its not a problem, but Peco will have a slighty lower tie height which requires some shimming of their track in order to perfectly match the others. So if you pick Peco, you might want to make sure you use both their turnouts and flex track. Atlas and ME tend to match up well so you can mix flex and turnouts if you favor one product over the other.
I'm using Fastracks turnouts--which use ME rails. I was planning to use Peco track because it is 25% cheaper than ME. Now it sounds like maybe I should be thinking of going with Atlas.
Added: Atlas is just a few pennies less than Peco for a pack of 100.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
The best one is the one you like, not what someone else likes.
I would suggest you stick with one brand of everything because mixing and matching can be a pain.
SpaceMouse Doughless As another has mentioned, be careful in mixing brands. Its not a problem, but Peco will have a slighty lower tie height which requires some shimming of their track in order to perfectly match the others. So if you pick Peco, you might want to make sure you use both their turnouts and flex track. Atlas and ME tend to match up well so you can mix flex and turnouts if you favor one product over the other. I'm using Fastracks turnouts--which use ME rails. I was planning to use Peco track because it is 25% cheaper than ME. Now it sounds like maybe I should be thinking of going with Atlas. Added: Atlas is just a few pennys less than Peco for a pack of 100.
Doughless As another has mentioned, be careful in mixing brands. Its not a problem, but Peco will have a slighty lower tie height which requires some shimming of their track in order to perfectly match the others. So if you pick Peco, you might want to make sure you use both their turnouts and flex track. Atlas and ME tend to match up well so you can mix flex and turnouts if you favor one product over the other.
Added: Atlas is just a few pennys less than Peco for a pack of 100.
I assume you mean buying just the rail?
ATLANTIC CENTRALI assume you mean buying just the rail?
I use just the rail in making turnouts, but I use flex track for everything else.
SpaceMouse ATLANTIC CENTRAL I assume you mean buying just the rail? I use just the rail in making turnouts, but I use flex track for everything else.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I assume you mean buying just the rail?
Well, Atlas flex track can easily be bought for 25% less than PECO.
Check out www.modeltrainstuff.com just for one.
Necro topic alert.
Some maybe responding to this as if it is a new topic. Atfirst I thought it was a new topic but it is years old.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983