Starting on the right track

[Anonymous]

Hi All,
I am slowly getting ready to lay track for my basement empire, while I am considering HO code 83, but I have two small children that in time will become more attracted to my layout, so I figure I better get something robust like code 100 that would stand up better to their mistakes. There are several companies that manufacture Code 100 flex track. I was thinking of Atlas because of the price and it seems to be good. But I would like to get the opinions of others as to their experience with flex track on their layouts. Which company do you like for quality, and trouble free operation?

[Fergmiester]

I use Atlas for my Flex track as that's the only stuff I can get locally. I use Peco for turnouts and I'm more than satisfied with them.

Fergie

[johncolley]

Hawk, Atlas is good for what you have in mind, but you might find buying in bulk from Walthers may give you a better price in the long run. As you said code 100 is a little more robust for the little ones to learn on. One thing to consider is to start with a small section close to the aisle that will keep them busy in code 100, and do the rest of the layout in your preferred sizes like 83 and 70. Later, when they have learned to respect and properly use it, you will have easy access to replace the learning section to match the rest of it. I think they will surprise you if they are taught the right way. One other thing, if you are going to use DCC you can set a top voltage limit which will limit accidental runaways. Happy Railroading in the New Year! John

[jrbernier]

My layout was started in 1987 and uses Atlas code 100 flex and Atlas code 100 Customline turnouts for the most part. Other than 1 turnout that had the ties melt(dead short on the turnout linkage wire), I have has no problems. I have 43 turnouts(7 powered with Tortoise motors). I use #6 for all mainline trackage like at sidings or cross-overs and in my staging area, and #4(actually #4 1/2) for spurs and in my yard. Now I run mainly 4 axle diesels, and 40' freight cars, but I have added steam in the past year and my Spectrum and BLI steamers have no problem with the Atlas track. If I ever build a new layout, I plan to use Atlas code 83 trackage.

Jim Bernier

[robengland]

I don't see that code 83 is any less robust than code 100. Personally I'd go for code 83. By the time they are of an age to trust them with locos and rolling stock (my son is 5 and I trust him now), the code of the rail won't matter.

[twhite]

I use Atlas and Sinohara code 100 track on my layout and Sinohara code 100 turnouts, and have very few problems. The main difference with the brands of flex-track is that the Atlas is 'springy', always insisting on returning to its original straight shape while you're laying it, and the Sinohara holds whatever curve you lay it in. Other than that, the two brands are excellent and largely trouble-free. One nice thing I've found about the Sinohara turnouts is that you very seldom have to file the turnout points to prevent derailments, something that cannot be said of ALL commercial turnouts. And the Sinohara turnouts are 'selective routing' instead of 'common', which saves a great deal of wiring in dead-end holding yards. However, with Sinohara turnouts, you need separate motors to power them, whereas the Atlas turnouts generally come with either an above or below table-top power mounting. Either one's fine, but those are my preferences. As to code 100 vs. code 83, after ballasting and painting, quite frankly, I can't tell the difference.
Tom

[CBQ_Guy]

For turnouts I would go with Peco. They are the closest to "bullet proof" and most reliable that you'll find, IMO.