So basically I prefer whatever track will work, look and operate well. Like others, I have a combination of brands. Flex right now is mostly Atlas code 83 and 100, and some Walthers code 70. In future layouts I'll likely try some others like ME or Peco. For turnouts I have a combination of Atlas code 100 and 83, Walthers code 83, Peco code 100, Shinohara code 100 and 70. I expect to be buying Peco code 83 in the future as it is American prototype and great quality, will probably try ME also.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I'm using HO Kato Unitrack. The rail is a narrow-profile code 83, noticeably narrower than Walthers or Atlas code 83. It looks pretty close to scale. I still have a fair number of cars with plastic wheels, and when replacing them with metal wheels I've been using semi-scale wheels. They work fine on the Kato track.
Unitrack has disadvantages; particularly in HO, there's a limited number of choices like basically only two turnouts (No.6 and No.4) and seven curve radii (starting with 24" radius "conventional curves", there are three sizes bigger and three smaller, each 2-3/8" apart). The advantages are near prototype appearance of the rail (and painting the rail and some ties and weathering the pieces adds to the realism) and reliability, plus being able to lay out a trackplan first and do real-world testing before making it permanent.
On the LM&E all tracks are code 100 Atlas and peco turnouts, some with Blue point controlers but most five finger manual.
Johnboy out....
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Atlas code 100 for the entire layou.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Atlas and ME code 83 mainline, and ME hand laid code 70 yard.
New layout will have same ME code 70 yard (salvaging all handlaid trackage), and ME 83 mainline. Staging will be the Atlas 83.
I've grown to liking the ME flex better, as, at least for me, it holds better curves than the Atlas flex.
Turnouts are mixed of ME, Walthers/Shinohara, and Atlas. (With handlaid mixing in on new layout, made of ME code 83/70.)
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.
I use a few different brands.
This track is Micro Engineering. I use codes 83, 70 and 55 from them
This yard is Shinohara, mostly code 70.
And this yard is Atlas 83. I also use Atlas code 100 in staging.
Rob Spangler
peahrensMy current layout is 2012 vintage track. I chose Atlas code 83 flextrack and Walthers-Shinohara code 83 DCC friendly turnouts, liking the wide turnout selection.
This is what I'm using as well. I've got a few pieces of ME code 70 to use at the coal loaders and a few pieces of ME bridge flex.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Shinohara code 83 with Walthers turnouts actuated with tortoises. I wanted to try the Shinohara track so bought a box to start with when I began constuction of the layout. Then the Atlas track became unavailable so just stuck with the Shinohara. But I also used a few sections of ME bridge track and I hand-laid rails on wood ties for my trestle.
I don't have any vintage locos with deep flanges, not that I would consider running anyway, and I like the way the code 83 looks. I ran across a deal on the Shinohara track a while back and got a couple of boxes at half the going price, so have enough to keep me busy for quite a while.
Not sure it is worth the price tag, but I like working with it. A lot stiffer than Atlas so it holds a bend, but not as stiff as ME track.
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
Micro Engineering flex track and Peco switches.C83.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
All in N Scale.
The only track I owe is basically in train sets, back in the 1990s. Atlas and Bachmann.
I do have a few Kato straight tracks from their passenger train car sets. And 3 packs of 15" radius curve for a complete circle.
I do not own any switches, buildings, scenery, and people because mainly all my money goes to locomotives and freight cars.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
My current layout is 2012 vintage track. I chose Atlas code 83 flextrack and Walthers-Shinohara code 83 DCC friendly turnouts, liking the wide turnout selection. I would do the same if doing over. What I would not repeat was three Atlas 90 code 83 degree crossings, which happen to be in series and gave fits to too many wheels trying to traverse them. Some filing corrected the significant problems. Don't know if the problems have been corrected.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I use atlas code 100 sectional track, with some flex track for the long straightaways on cork roadbed.
-Peter. Mantua collector, 3D printing enthusiast, Korail modeler.
DAVID FORTNEY neither can I Mel, I have 3 Rivarossi cab forwards and they are keepers. They all run great and look as good as anything out there today IMO. A buddy of mine has a nice layout with hand laid code 100 track so I run them there, he really would like to have them so he just drools when I come over Lol. The junk is sold but my steam engines are keepers. Dave
neither can I Mel, I have 3 Rivarossi cab forwards and they are keepers. They all run great and look as good as anything out there today IMO. A buddy of mine has a nice layout with hand laid code 100 track so I run them there, he really would like to have them so he just drools when I come over Lol.
The junk is sold but my steam engines are keepers.
Dave
Peco Code 100.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
When I started my layout I used Atlas code 100 track and Atlas switches. Code 83 track was hard to come by as it was new. Eventually I switched to Atlas code 83 track and Shinohara switches. The only place there are any Atlas switches left are in hidden staging. My hand laid track is Micro Engineering weathered rail. I use a dremel tool with a wire brush to clean the ends of the rails.
If I were to make major changes or add-ons, I would seriously consider going back to code 100. It's much cheaper and more robust-IMHO.
All Peco for me. I also use the Peco switch machines, and control them with NCE stationary decoders.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
rrebell Was going to go code 83 but was scamed back in the mail order days,
Was going to go code 83 but was scamed back in the mail order days,
Back in the 1980's I was scammed by a major mail order company too - one of the major advertisers in the magazines; I think they went out of business right after I sent my order and money and that, as they say, was all she wrote. I fount out later they were closed and never so a refund, but I don't recall it was much that I lost, more the rude awakening.
Shinohara code 70. Was going to go code 83 but was scamed back in the mail order days, so stuck with the code 70. If I was to start over I would go Peco code 83, even though my stuff works great the Peco is not as delicate.
RR_Mel DAVID FORTNEY Any engines with deep flanges sit on a shelf and look pretty or they are sold. Dave I’m in love with my Rivarossi Cab Forwards, can't part with them over flange size. Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
DAVID FORTNEY Any engines with deep flanges sit on a shelf and look pretty or they are sold.
Any engines with deep flanges sit on a shelf and look pretty or they are sold.
csxns Atlas code 100 flex Peco code 100 turnouts.
Atlas code 100 flex Peco code 100 turnouts.
Mike
My layout is Peco code 83 because Atlas wasn't available when I was laying track. Switches are a variety of Peco, Atlas, and Walther's Shinohara.
Same as you Mel, code 100 in hidden and staging for lower cost and more durability and code 83 in visible areas, and some code 70 in yards.
I'm an N Scaler and my choice was Peco Code 55. I chose it because it's sturdier than Atlas C55, abit less expensive, can accomodate old locos with pizza cutter wheels and the turnouts are pretty bullet proof.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
I have ME code 83 track on my layout. While more expensive than Atlas, I like that the former is pre-weathered and bends easily. Connecting ME track is easy b/c I scrape off the weathered ares with a knife or other sharp object.
I hand lay mine. Code 83 rail
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Although I used code 83 atlas track and turnouts on my former layout but since I moved to a smaller home and have onset Parkinson's I have been using HO Kato unitrack. The best track with roadbed out there. Their turnouts and track are bullit proof. It is code 83.
Russell