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HO, Track differences
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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by Train 284</i> <br /><br />[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by joeyegarner</i> <br /><br />There are different codes, Standard is code 100 there are a few others that are Code 83 and code 70 and I think thier is a code 55??. With lower numbers, The lower the number the smaller(shorter and more narrow) the rail, this is a general explanation some others here can offer you some more insight. Help me out guys. <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />Yes. Code 55 is actually N scale and so is 70 (I think... I know there is Code 80 for N too). But basically there are two types of HO track: <br /> <br />Code 100: Black ties nickel silver rail <br /> <br />Code 83: Brown ties nickel silver rail <br /> <br />The "codes" are the height of the rail like .100 of an inch and so on. Most guys here prefer Code 83 as it has a more protoypical look. But I like using Code 100 for its robust nature. But that is just my [2c] <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />Actually, there is no designated code for any scale. Back in the 1960's HO track was commonly code 100, with some code 70, and a little code 40. Code 100 rail figures out to about 155 lb. per yard in prototype terms, in HO. Code 83 is about 132 lb. per yard (typical of modern prototype practice); code 70 is 100 lb. rail in prototype terms (about right for pre-WWII mainlines and for modern industrial spurs). Code 55 in HO is about 60 lb. rail, IIRC, and code 40 would represent 40 lb. rail in HO (only suitable for the lightest track). The code sizes most commonly used in N-scale are code 80 (very oversize) and code 55 (still too big, IIRC). <br /> <br />Most modern mainlines on the prototype use rail of about 132 lb. per yard, with a smaller amount of 150 lb+ used on the most heavily travelled lines. Today, 100 lb rail would be used for sidings, yards, and industrial spurs. And, smaller rail would be more rare than in the past. And, that is another consideration: The era of the layout will determine the appropriate size of rail to some extent, with the older time periods calling for lighter rail. <br /> <br />The trade-off is that small rail can be more problematic operationally, and more difficult to find. In HO the commonly available sizes are code 100 (being phased out by some manufacturers it seems), code 83 (likely the new standard) and some code 70. You pays your money and takes your choice. <br /> <br />Cheers, <br />Wetumka Fats <br />[C):-)]
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