Is Atlas Flex track appropriate with Peco switches in HO code 83?
Peco flex trak is moore expensive, but if it is easier to lay or matches the look of the Peco switches better, I’d use it.
Thanks,
Jim
You’re going to run into a problem trying to mix brands of code 83 track – Atlas track has a wider foot than Peco. Peco rail joiners won’t fit onto Atlas track, and Atlas rail joiners fit too loosely onto Peco track. I ran into this exact same problem on the layout I’m building when I tried to mix Peco, Atlas, and Shinohara flex track and turnouts.
The only solution I found is to use Atlas rail joiners on the Atlas or Shinohara turnouts and then ma***he sides in slightly with a pair of pliers where Peco flex track was going to join.
Either Atlas or Peco is not truely code 83 because there is a slight difference in rail height between the two – Peco track is taller and has to be filed down on the ends when married up to Atlas turnouts.
I wanted to use Peco exclusively, but there were some areas where Peco turnouts would not fit and I had to resort to Atlas or Shinohara, and encountered these problems.
On a club layout where we had to resort to a Shinohara code 83 curved turnout married up to Atlas code 100 flex track, I used Andy Sperandeo’s trick of soldering the Atlas rail joiners to the flex track ends, mashing them flat with pliers, and then soldering the code 83 rail on top of the flattened code 100 rail joiners.
Thus is not true. I have Mixed Peco, micro engineeerings flex track with Atlas code 83 switches I have had no issuses.
In N-scale the code 80 is different as stated above in HO. The rail joiners are not interchangeable, but also the ties on the atlas are much taller than the peco.
So, ask yourself , are your savings worth the sacrifice? If so is what I would do is solder the flextrack to the turnout and cut gaps in the flextrack at low stress locals and CA a piece of plastic in the gap and file down. looks great after painting. This way you would have to use the atlas joiners but the solder will hold it all together.
Solder can fix most issues , as long as its sanded down and smooth. But just use common sense , if it looks like it wouldnt work… dont do it!
CODE 83
Atlas 83 is made higher (to mate with their Code 100 track). Not so, other brands. IE; A poor - but not impossible - match. Better to stick with a single brand.
Thanks for the info. I purchased an Atlas switch and some flex track today to try out. I think the Atlas switch should be fine - I don’t think I’ll spring for the Peco stuff. I’ll wait until I get smart the hard way and rebuild later 
For my next trick, I need to mate the Atlas Code 83 with some old Code 100 track already in place.
Jim
Atlas makes transistion joiners for 100/83 combinations.
This is precisely why I’m doing a practice layout first. I installed all Atlas code 83 flex track and all Peco code 83 switches. I use Atlas code 100 joiners and so far haven’t had any issues that I can discern. The track is held down with track nails only, through the cork roadbed which is adhered to the foam with latex caulk. I’ll be curious to see if things change over the next few months as I work on getting my train room ready for a real layout. I have pretty consistent humidity and temperature in my basement so I’m not expecting any drastic track problems. Time will tell.
I’ve been using code 100 Atlas flex track with code 100 Peco turnouts with no problem. I don’t use the Peco joiners, just Atlas. I don’t notice any problems, but I have enough feeders that a loose joiner or two will not stop my trains.
I also have some Atlas turnouts. They work fine so far, but I don’t like the look of the above-table motors so I’m switching to Peco from now on. I’ve got 2-inch foam, by the way, so the Atlas under-table motors aren’t a good option for me.
What are good undertable switch machine options with Code 83?
SINCE Atlas code 83 is .013 higher than than Micro Engineering and ALL other brands, how do you explain your bumpy track? Unawareness? - or are you trying to emulate the now defunct CM&St P?
I remember the trackage going from the valley up to the belt line. Did it parallel 35th ?
Don’t want to discourage you but I’ve had bad luck with Atlas turnouts. Had to replace them with PECO. The Atlas track w/ PECO turnouts combination works fine, however. Of course always dress any joints with a file.
Have fun,
Ernie C
You mean N-scale are somewhat incompatible? I haven’t had any problems mixing Atlas flex with Pecos, but my Pecos are 8 years old.
use all peco stuff its a lot more reliable, not that i’ve had problems with atlas before