Sorry to bother you but I am new to this forum.
I live in the Netherlands and after many years of modeling Dutch railways I decided to make an American Lay-out.
I try to find the information I want, via the internet, since shops who sell US-stuff are kind of rare in Holland.
And the few shops that do have US-trains sell lots of rolling stack but hardly any track, yes they can order for me but then I have to buy.
I have put my mind on either Atlas code 83 or Walthers/Shinohara code 83, because as I noticed in this forum the Peco track looks “to European”.
And…… well, American trains need American track. (in my opinion that is)
I have seen the Walther program is much bigger then the program of Atlas, but so is the price. [:)]
Then again when I visit the webpage of Walthers most of it is “sold out”, so maybe the program of Atlas turns out to be bigger after all, just kidding. [:D]
So I need your advice, hope you will help me out.
Could you please tell me what you think is best to use?
Our share you’re experience with one or maybes both of those brands and help me to make the “right” choose.
As I mentioned before I can really go to a shop and ask then to show me both, hope I don’t bother you with this kind of questions and you want to help me.
Thanks for your advice in advance
Kind regards
Cor
I’ve gotten good results using the Atlas code 83 flextrack combined with the Walthers code 83 turnouts. The Atlas flextrack is easier to find, at least for me, while Walthers has a much larger selection of turnouts. The ties on the Walthers turnouts are about .020 of an inch thinner than the Atlas ties so I place a .020 styrene shim under the turnout’s ties adjacent to the Atlas track to even things out. They work fine together.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
My layout uses mostly Atlas code 100 flex track and turnouts, although I plan on gradually replacing all of it with Atlas code 83 flex track and Walthers turnouts (I prefer the Walthers because they look a little more realistic), except for all of the turnouts in tunnels. For those I use Atlas turnouts.
EL Parro and TomWatkins are right on target. Very good advice. The Atlas code 83 flex track (and code 83 sectional track) look very good and will look realistic on a nicely ballasted mainline!
For turnouts the Walthers (Shinohara) is the better way to go. The leads on the Atlas switches (the two rails that move) are made of “stamp sheetmetal” and over time derailments may begin to occur. I have seen tips on simple modifications to improve Atlas switches. In my opinion, just buy good ones, to begin with!
I’ve always like PECO turnouts. There is supposed to be an American version coming out (if it hasn’t already).
So walther is the better way to go for an good looking layout, I could use atlas flex-track but then I have to raise the turnout about .017 inch, what would be around 0.5 millimetres.
Thank you very much, you helped allot.
Kind regards
Cor [:)]