Walthers Code 83 Bridge Track

[maxman]

SeeYou190

Central Valley also manufactures some bridge ties that are useful.

CV bridge ties:

https://www.shop.cvmw.com/Truss-Bridge-Ties-HO-Code-83-70-ME-1900-8.htm

 

[Medina1128]

I use Atlas HO through code 100 truss bridge. The code 100 track can be removed with a pair of pliers. Then I slide in a section of code 83, which I secure with CA on the outside edges of the track.

[doctorwayne]

I'm pretty sure that this is Micro Engineering bridge track...

...while this is from Central Valley...

Wayne

[richhotrain]

SeeYou190

I am really surprised that Atlas has never offered HO scale code 83 bridge track sections.

-Kevin 

In general, bridge track is hard to come by. Atlas has never really gotten into specialty track. They do produce crossings, but mostly it is turnouts, sectional track and flextrack.

In the past, whenever I needed specialty track, I turned to Walthers Shinohara. That included curved turnouts, 3-way turnouts, double slips, double crossovers, and, of course, bridge track.

Rich

[SeeYou190]

I am really surprised that Atlas has never offered HO scale code 83 bridge track sections.

-Kevin

[MisterBeasley]

I've made my own bridge track from Code 83 Atlas flex track.  It's pretty easy to slide  whole sections of ties off the ends, cut the spacers out, and replace them when you have enough.  Because the ties are closer, you will end up with extra rail.  I've found, to my surprise, that the extra Code 83 rail works fine as guard rails for the bridge.

The job is tedious, but not difficult.  I only began doing it because there was no bridge track available at the time, but it really improves the appearance of the bridge.

[richhotrain]

RJE3

DO I need to use the Walthers bridge track?   

Sure you do if you want your bridge to look anything like most of the railroad bridges in this country.

Rich

[SeeYou190]

RJE3

If I use the Walthers bridge track (single track 18") will it line up ok with my Atlas track on either side of the bridge?

I have used Atlas track with Walthers/Shinohara turnouts and bridge track with no problems. I mount the bridge track to the bridge, then shim the bridge mounts to get the rails into vertical alignment.

RJE3

DO I need to use the Walthers bridge track?  

No. I actually prefer Micro-Engineering bridge track, but it is hard to find in code 83 right now. Central Valley also manufactures some bridge ties that are useful.

-Kevin

[rrebell]

Shibohara is out of buisness for a couple of years now and Walther code 83 now is in-house.

[gmpullman]

RJE3

DO I need to use the Walthers bridge track?

You don't have to use the Walthers (Shinohara) bridge track. It is strictly for appearance sake:

PRR_EF-15_2_crop by Edmund, on Flickr

The ends of the Walthers bridge track step down from the bridge timbers so some shimming is inevetable. You can raise or lower the bridge deck when calculating for the height difference.

Regular Walthers code 83 flex track has a slightly thinner tie height than the Atlas code 83. Walthers has redesigned their track "system" since Shinohara ceased operations some two years ago.

I understand their bridge track has been modified, too, with separate end pieces that join the center sections. The stuff I am familiar with is a single length just under 20" long with "tail-pieces" about 2½" long which transition to regular track profile ties.

Good Luck, Ed

[RJE3]

My layout is Atlas HO Code 83 I suppose the question is if I use the Walthers bridge track (single track 18") will it line up ok with my Atlas track on either side of the bridge?

DO I need to use the Walthers bridge track?