track tie height question

[Anonymous]

I know some manufacturer's track has different tie thickness than others. For example: Atlas code 83 ties are thicker than Micro Engineering code 83 ties.

Therefore, the two types of track can't be put together unless you shim the one with thinner ties.

Well, I want to use Walthers/Shinohara turnouts on my next layout, but their flex is a bit rich for my tastes, so I was going to use ME flex.

Anybody try this? Are the tie thicknesses of Shinohara and ME track the same (or close enough)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Rob

[dknelson]

A cheap and easy way to shim is with successive thicknesses of tape, such as masking tape or duct tape. But make sure it is a high adhesive tape, not painters tape with its low glue content.
This same method also works for superelevation using 1/4 inch wide masking tape. You lay down a long piece then successively shorter pieces to built up a very gradual incline. Only a few pieces, maybe 3 or 4, turn out to be enough to match the height of different flex track ties
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Well, the problem with that is I would be using the Atlas flex (Thick ties) with Shinohara turnouts (thin ties) so I'd need to shim ONLY where the turnouts were - no transitions needed, I guess.

Anybody know the height difference between them? Would sheet styrene work (my guess is yes).

And, does anybody know if Shinohara turnout ties and ME flex ties are the same thickness?

Thanks,

Rob