track types

[Anonymous]

I a new to the train model hobby. I have one question for now. If I start to buy and build with one type of track (Atlas) do I have to continue to use them always or can I mismatch track types? Which type is the best for avaibility and style?

[FThunder11]

[#welcome] If you buy one type of track you do not have to stay with that and only that. I have atlas nickle track for my amtrak superliner train that i have mixed with some Bachman E-Z track. Just make sure the current flows throught the track adn that the train glides over the track smoothly. But pretty much any brand of track can be mixed with other brands.

[Anonymous]

Well, you can mix most kinds of track, as long as it doesn't have integrated roadbed.

Your best bet is Code 83, this is slightly less easy to find from Atlas, but offers more compatibility with other manufacturers. Walthers, ME, and Peco also make Code 83 track, and it's all compatible. Code 83 is pretty close to scale for your average busy mainline, Code 100 is oversize, but looks fine after weathering & ballast.

For looks, Micro Engineering Code 70 and 55 is tops, but it's small and somewhat difficult to work with (Their Flextrack isn't exactly flexible) and they only offer #6 turnouts, Shinohara also does code 70 flextrack & turnouts (they also make Walther's Code 83 track).

Mixing codes requires special joiners, or shims beneath the rail to make up the height differential, as 'Code' simply denotes rail height in thousandths of an inch (code 100 is 0.100" high, code 40 is o.040" high). As Track Gauge is standardised, all track is at least minimally compatible.

Avoid sectional track, it's somewhat prone to electrical problems after being laid, and it tends to dictate certain track layouts, unlike flex.

[Don Gibson]

MYKROFT covered it well.

I can only ADD that beginners do better by NOT mixing things. Keeping to one brand simplifies things and keeps problems to a minimum. Pick a track, and stick with it. Atlas is designed for beginners - and still in use by some non-beginner's. 'Keeping it Simple' can pay off.

EXAMPLE: I have heard* that ATLAS code 83 has thicker ties (to mate with their Code 100 track ) - which would mean it's .100" high - and if so, will not mate with other brands of Code 83 - out of the box.

* I do not own any.

[jwmurrayjr]

QUOTE:
EXAMPLE: I have heard* that ATLAS code 83 has thicker ties (to mate with their Code 100 track ) - which would mean it's .100" high - and if so, will not mate with other brands of Code 83 - out of the box.

* I do not own any.

It's true Don. It does give the code 83 a nice tie profile too.

How's it going?

[IRONROOSTER]

Don't mix in Marklin track it's actually three rail with the third rail in the center being studs. It's used with Marklin trains which are three rail AC. Other than that you can use any brand of HO with the transitions mykroft mentioned above plus transition rail sections 100 to 83 and 83 to 70.
Enjoy
Paul

[Jetrock]

Indeed, as long as you're using the same code of track (code 100 and code 83 being the most common) and you're not using track that has some sort of built-in roadbed, it should be perfectly interchangeable--the gauge of the track is of course the same. I use Atlas flextrack with Peco switches with no problems at all...