I used Atlas code 83 flex track for years. Switched to Peco because it mates to the Peco turnouts a bit better. A few observations:
I like the way Peco holds its curve, rather than the springy nature of Atlas. With the Atlas, the last few inches are harder to bend, and doing so forcfully could result in the track popping out of the ties. Soldering two sections together avoids that, then it also forms a natural easment at each end, but there needs to be a strong anchor at one end as you bend two sections around. That doesn't work well with the way I lay track. Haven't had any issues with Peco popping out.
Any kink that's formed in the Atlas track makes it almost impossible to return it back to straight. Since Peco track molds easily, I just lay it on its edge on a table and form it back straight very quickly.
Both the ME code 83 joiners and the Atlas N gauge code 80 joiners work well with Peco 83, but are harder to fit onto Atlas 83. Those joiners both shorter and smaller, so they look better, IMO, then the Atlas code 100/83 joiners which were the standard joiner I used on Atlas 83.
Both tracks are both good products. Preferences differ.
- Douglas
Stiff flex track holds the curve much better for laying track, but you have to be way more careful.
The weathering on ME track makes it more difficult to bend. I got non weathered on purpose after trying a piece or two.
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Yes Mike, very familiar. When I was building my first layout I used the Fiber Turnout Ties but in 1951 the only rail stocked at H&H Hobby Shop in El Paso was Iron rail. By the time brass rail was available in the mid 50s I was working for a chain of drive-in theaters repairing speakers and the old tube amps for 60¢ per hour and could afford the buy ready to go Atlas turnouts and flex track with brass rails. No more spiking hand laid track from that point on.A 36” section of brass flex was 45¢ in 1955. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
OvermodKevin, can you be more specific about all the ways it is 'unpleasant'?
Not really, I just have a harder time working with it than my old standby Atlas Code 83 flex. My issue is probably just inexperience with Micro Engineering/Weathered Rail/Code 55 all rolled into one.
I do not like to post bad things about a manufacturers/products that are opinions, personal taste, or user error. This might be all three.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I am not sure if the unpleasentness comes from it being weathered or code 55. Maybe a combination of both.
Bayfield Transfer RailwayI use Micro Engineering flex track unweathered, and find it very pleasant to work with. I am given to understand the weathered track is less so.
The only Micro Engineering track I have used is there HO scale code 55 weathered track. It is not pleasent to work with, but if you want code 55 HO track, it is the only game in town.
I am not sure if the unpleasentness comes from it being weathered or code 55. Maybe a combination of both.
Mel how about these
I use Micro Engineering flex track unweathered, and find it very pleasant to work with. I am given to understand the weathered track is less so.
Didn't have any of that, but since I have the MR 75 year DVD, I remember seeing Atlas fiber tie strip in the old Atlas ads.
I only recently started using Peco flex and have not had any issues witht he rail popping out of the spikes. I find it a good medium between Atlas - super flexible but doesn't hold a curve, and ME, hard to smoothly bend but but stays bent. At least, the Code 83 stuff, never touched Peco Code 100.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Yes, Atlas made the fiber ties in a 25’ roll for $1.25 and I bought 36” iron rails a nickel each or three for 10¢. Don’t remember how much a bag of spikes cost. (1951)
I was at war with my Dad, he said the tiny trains would never stay on the track. He was a Lionel 027 guy all the way. He did buy me my first nice pair of long noise pliers for spiking the rails.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
RR_MelYou dated your self Wayne with the stapled brass rails to fiber tie strip....
Hey, Mel, at my age, that's likely the closest I'll get to dating anyone.
RR_MelRemember the fiber tie strip before brass rails?
Do you mean the tie strips were available without rails? I don't recall seeing it, and am pretty sure that my first layout was done with brass rails already affixed in the fibre tie strip. It was flexible, but not as flexible as the stuff offered nowadays by Atlas. This would have been mid-'50s.
Wayne
Lastspikemike richhotrain Lastspikemike I found Peco frustrating to bend at the ends because the rail would pop out of the spike heads. Atlas doesn't do that... Wrongo! I prefer Atlas flex track to Peco flex track, but if you are not extremely careful, the rail will pop out of the spikes. Atlas Custom Line turnouts are even more susceptible to pop out. I must be more highly skilled then, I guess.
richhotrain Lastspikemike I found Peco frustrating to bend at the ends because the rail would pop out of the spike heads. Atlas doesn't do that... Wrongo! I prefer Atlas flex track to Peco flex track, but if you are not extremely careful, the rail will pop out of the spikes. Atlas Custom Line turnouts are even more susceptible to pop out.
Lastspikemike I found Peco frustrating to bend at the ends because the rail would pop out of the spike heads. Atlas doesn't do that...
I found Peco frustrating to bend at the ends because the rail would pop out of the spike heads. Atlas doesn't do that...
Wrongo!
I prefer Atlas flex track to Peco flex track, but if you are not extremely careful, the rail will pop out of the spikes. Atlas Custom Line turnouts are even more susceptible to pop out.
I must be more highly skilled then, I guess.
Alton Junction
Heck I had some of that stapled brass rail flex track laying around. My parents first had a layout sometime in the mid 50's. Had some Mantua couplers, too.
Mem-ries ...
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
You dated your self Wayne with the stapled brass rails to fiber tie strip. Remember the fiber tie strip before brass rails?Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I guess that you've sorta already answered most of your question. I've always used Atlas flex track, right from my first layout, with code 100 brass rail in fibre tie strips, and likewise for their turnouts, which were kits at that time.
I've not used Peco flex track, but do have a number of their Code 83 turnouts, and have no issues connecting them to the code 83 Atlas flex track. I've also used Shinohara, and Micro Engineering turnouts with Atlas flex, along with Central Valley's kit-type turnouts.
Even when different brands have different tie thickness, simply solder the rail joiners in place, and let the end of the track with thinner ties "float" above the roadbed. Once the track is ballasted, it will be unnoticeable.
I have intermixed Peco, Precision Scale, Shinohara, Walthers (also Sinhohara), Micro Engineering, and Atlas track. It can work just fine.
The important part is that the tops of the rails and inside rail edges must be smooth at the track joints. This sometimes involves soldering the joints and finishing them with files at differing brands track joints.
For a beginner, Atlas offers a good variety of trackage components, and their turnouts are easy to wire, so that is a good choice.
Feel free to ask any other questions.
which is better or easier to use for a beginner and can you mix the two brands?
edit: just remembered I have 28 feet of peco track from god knows where/when so I think i'll use that
Building my first layout, 4x8 contemporary urban area in HO scale