TA462 wrote:I can only tell you what I use so here goes. Atlas makes Code 83 track, I use it and have never had any problems with it. It looks great and you can buy it in bulk, usually at a discount rate at your LHS. If they don't want to order it for you at a reduced rate then move on to another LHS. I'm not sure if you can buy it direct or not, anybody know for sure? Is it the best? I really don't know but it works well for me.
With the exception that I use Atlas code 100 (modular standard). I can't speak for other Brand Names, but Atlas is extremely reliable, robust and sturdy.
I checked, and you can purchase directly from Atlas, but it is at FULL retail price, plus shipping.
Hi,
The leading manufacturers (Atlas, Peco, Walthers, etc., etc.) all make a quality product. My guess is that price - and availability to some degree - is the major decision point for most of us. I personally have used Atlas for 30 years or so, and have never had a problem with it - either code 100 or code 83 HO. I chose Atlas for availability originally (it was the only show in the LHS at that time), and continue to use it because of price. If money was not a restraint, I would probably go to one of the higher priced brands, but I suspect my trains would not run any better for it.
Pick what you like and can afford, and you can't go wrong.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
It seems that modellers with varying experience and means use a wide range of track products, including raw stock to handlay mainline and spur trackage. I have seen Code 100 used very convincingly, and use it exclusively myself. It is from Atlas. I like it, it is foolproof, and always in gauge. Trouble is it looks about 25-20% oversized in most respects, not the least of which are the humongous spike heads. Otherwise, it's a cinch to lay and maintain.
Guys like Joe Fugate, if I have it right, really like ME track, Code 83 and Code 70. Chuck lays everything by hand.
If I were going to do it all over again (and I guess/hope I will in time), I'd go with ME Code 83 if for no other reason than it is better looking in the tie detail and arrangement, and it would look much better in imagery.
-Crandell
selector wrote: If I were going to do it all over again (and I guess/hope I will in time), I'd go with ME Code 83 if for no other reason than it is better looking in the tie detail and arrangement, and it would look much better in imagery.-Crandell
I've been considering that too for the next time around. It would be nice with an all C70 track. With Atlas prices recently announced to be raised the difference is less as well.
So far I've started with some Roco c83. Then when I built in my garage I used C83 from Atlas and their #8 turnouts. Any and all problems did not come from the product, it was my mistakes and nobody else's fault. I have one piece of C83 from peco, I bought it to see how I liked it. It looks and feels pretty good so that is also a contender.
Magnus
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Micro Engineering rail. Kappler ties. Handlaid track.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
By the way Poteet, I believe that your quote:
"I'm not a failure; I've just discovered ten thousand things that don't work." - Benjamin Franklin
is actually attributed to Thomas Edison, he made it after being questioned on his search for a filament for the light bulb.
I love the quote and (being from Philadelphia) I love quotes from Ben Franklin, but I think this one is really Edison's.
I use Atlas code 100 sectional track on cork roadbed on my layout. It looks great and works perfectly smoothly, and it was pretty cheap too. The only derailments that have ever happened have never been caused by the track.
Avoid IHC track at all costs, brass or steel. All of my IHC track is warped slightly and rises a little at the ends, making both looks and operation poor.
_________________________________________________________________
One company that gets overlooked is Model Power. I've been using MP track (code 100) for over 20 years. It's always at least a dollar cheaper than Atlas code 100 and looks much better:
It's not as springy as Atlas and not as stiff as ME.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Folks,
From the other side of the Atlantic, the best track is PECO 83, very good quality & design, nice turnouts, either "insulfrog" or "electrofrog" and very easy to build any kind of curve radius with the Flex track, the "cherry on the cake"
Cheers,
I used Atlas code 100 flex track for years and was very happy with it. On my current layout, I use code 83 (either micro engineering or Atlas which ever is available at the time).
I don't think manufacturer is so much the issue as is the size of the rail (code number) and what the rail itself is made of. Nickel silver rail is pretty much the "gold standard" (uh, pun intended). In the old days alot of rail was brass (and nearly worthless) and there for a while I think Model Power was selling actual steel rail. Brass rail would quickly develop a patina that didn't conduct electricity and, of course steel rail would actually rust making the operation of electric trains problematic at best. It is not unusual to find both of these (always in code 100) in bargin bins at train shows. You can identify the brass rail by its color and the steel rail will attract a magnet. Its a good idea to steer clear of both of these.
If you stick to track manufactured by one of the major companies in you choice of rail size, you pretty much can't go wrong.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that the reason there is such uniform quality between different makers of model railroad track etc is due, in large part, to the pioneering efforts of the NMRA in setting standards for model railroad equipment.
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."