Atlas code 83 vs Walthers code 83

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

For years I have used the Walthers/Shinora (sp?) 39" flex track and loved it, but I looked at the price vs Atlas code 83 and its about $10-$15 cheaper a box. Has anyone used both ?? Is there much of a difference ??? Does the Atlas have predrilled holes ?

Thanks,

Josh

2

The Walthers turnouts have thinner ties which gives the turnout a much more realsitic (IMHO) appearance. In addition, it is easier to wire the frog for power routing. The Atlas aluminum (at least that’s what I read somewhere) frog detracts form the ovearall appearance and is difficult to wire. I have had very little success with that. Harold Minky has made some modifications to the Atlas turnout to improve reliability but any future turnouts I buy will be Walthers or Micro Engineering.

Tom

3

Yes Atlas code 83 flex track is pre-drilled and they have done a pretty nice trick with the drilling. The holes are not drilled all the way through. Track nails can be easily pushed through the remaining plastic and you only use the holes you want and therefore don’t have holes in the ties you don’t use. I will pu***he nsils through the backside, it seems easier.

4

The holes in the Atlas flextrack is in the middle of the ties, it’s designed for their track nails. Walthers has the holes on the sides and are meant to use their scale spikes. Otherwise they’re both good, my layout has some of both (one line is Walthers, one is Atlas, running roughly parallel).

5

Atlas flextrack is 36" and has looser tolerances than Shinohara made Walthers.
Loose plastic ‘spikes’ holding the rail allow easier curving (good), but permits variable radii within the curvet (bad). I have one only Atlas 26" radius curve that derails things because it won’t maintain a constant 26"r even when relaying with radius tools and nailing in place. The Shinohara track - once bent - stays bent.

Since I think track - once laid - should be permanent - so I go with Shinohara, Walthers, and Micro Engineering - whatever the code. It also rooks more realistic. BLACK frogs just don’t do it for me.

6

Thanks for the feed back. I was planning on sticking with the walthers, but wanted see peoples oppinion of the Atlas track. I was also trying to save a few bucks.

Thanks,

Josh

7

I’ve experienced problems with Atlas turnouts.

The formed sheetmetal points are fragile and care must be taken when cleaning track.

Sometimes the frogs on Atlas turnouts are higher than the rail, causing difficulties with steam locomotives with driver only power pickup if the frog is not powered. My specific problem was with the LL P2K 0-8-0 switchers. A large amount of filing fixed the issue as it was easier than replacing the turnouts. (To the credit of Atlas, they did offer to replace the turnouts.)