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 The short answer to various track codes is that they represent the rail used in that period. Code 55 would be typical of rail in use in the late 1800s, code 70 around the turn of the century up through about 1920, code 83 from the mid 1920s through the post war period and code 100 represents the heaviest track in current use. Obviously some lighter (ie smaller) rail persisted into the later periods in branch line and yard service. The general rule of thumb is the heavier the traffic in terms of usage and weight of rollingstock the heavier the code of the rail. For a beginner all this discussion of 'code' is largely academic. Though it matters to me and many others its really not critical at your stage. As to locomotives: Steam and diesel HO engines use the same electricity for power and are similar 'under the hood'. In general a diesel of the same weight will pull a bit better than a steamer. Another largely academic quesiton at your level. If you definately prefer one over the other go with it. The power pack question, at your level stick with DC until you decide whether you are going to both stick with the hobby and need to go with DCC (digital command and control). DCC offers lots of options for operation which DC doesn't but is correspondingly more expensive. Also DCC is getting cheaper as time goes on. In that sense its similar to computers. You have noticed that many of your answerers ask 'what era are you interested in?' The reason for this question is that the choice or era determines the answer to two of your questions. Those of rail code and engine type. Give it some thought, once you decide other decisions flow from it. I STRONGLY SUGGEST, INDEED URGE YOU to read as many of the getting started in the hobby books as you can. Kalmbach publishes several you would find useful. Also visit your local model railroad club or clubs, even if these are different scales than you intend to use. Many of your questions are more easily answered with visual aids aka model railroads ;). As you go along and questions arise use this forum to pose them. We all need advice and suggestions from time to time. Its the reason for this forum.
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