Starting a new layout.
I understand that Code 83 has become the defacto standard in HO, but will using code 100 in hidden areas provide any improved reliability?
Ric
I do not know that using code 100 in hidden areas will be any better, as a matter of fact, LION thinks the transitions may make matters worse.
That said, the LION uses strictly code 100 rail. IT IS CHEAPER! Every penny counts on this railroad!
No.
However, if you happen to have some code 100 track laying around, go ahead and use it in those hidden areas rather than throwing it away.
I agree with Ric. I would just make sure that the transitions are in the open areas. If there’s a point that will give you trouble, it would be the transitions (just thinking about Murphy’s Law).
The reason modelers use code 100 in hidden areas is that it is cheaper than some brands of code 83 flex. I use Micro Engineering flex because it looks great. It is also much more expensive than Atlas code 100 flex. Why spend the money for better looking track when you won’t see it? I have over 300 feet of hidden track. I saved lots of money using Atlas for the hidden areas.
I don’t notice any operational advantage to using code 100. Nor do I have any problems with the transition areas. If you aren’t that comfortable making the transitions, they do sell transition pieces.
Of course your mileage may vary,
Guy
My staging uses Atlas code 100 because that’s what I 1) had left over from a previous layout’s staging yard, and 2) had access to cheap from a couple buddies who were unloading excess Atlas 100. I don’t think it provides any benefit in terms of reliability.
If I was starting from scratch, I would skip code 100 altogether. The price advantage has largely disappeared, and many of the code 100 turnouts fall badly short of meeting NMRA standards. Atlas code 100 #6 turnouts are VERY wide in gauge through the points, and cause trouble with semi-scale code 88 wheelsets which can derail by slipping off the rails. I’ve had to rework my code 100 turnouts to fix the gauge problems, something I haven’t had to do with most code 83 (the Shinohara/Walthers products have a few nasty gauge issues of their own however). In addition, the larger the rail the more difficult it is to get a clean, straight cut, and the greater the thermal mass which makes it take a bit longer to solder (which can make the difference between melting ties and not).
The little bird has the answer for rail in hidden places:
CHEEP!!!
In general, Code 100 flex is less expensive - and if it’s laid where the sun don’t shine, who cares if the spikeheads are the size of grapefruit. In my netherworld a couple of hidden yards are laid with stick rail spiked directly to pine planks, 2 spikes every 40mm. Other parts (tangent track only) are laid with yard sale reject sectional track.
Someone mentioned problems with rail joints where Code !00 meets Code 83. If both are Atlas, this is a non-issue. I simply pushed Atlas `Universal’ joiners onto the Code 100, slipped slivers of plastic into them and pushed the Code 83 in on top of the plastic. The top of railhead to bottom of tie dimension is identical for both. Other brands might require a 0.017" (or some other dimension) shim under the tie strip of the Code 83. As long as the tops and inside edges of the railheads line up, you’re good to go.
If you already have enough Code 83 flex to lay a much larger model railroad’s entire track plan, dont go out and buy Code 100. If, like most of us, your supply of materials is short of total requirements, go ahead and save a buck.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with Code 100 in the netherworld)
My Santa Fe in Oklahoma layout is over half laid with code 100, Micro Engineering to be precise, simply because when I started it in 1983, code 100 was about it. I have handlaid using code 100 on wooden ties, I have the ME, but in later years, some code 100 was removed and replaced with 83. In particular, on passing tracks and sidings.
IF I was starting over, I would use code 83, but at age 75 I am strictly maintaining. In fact, I suspect little new track laying will happen.
Bob
On our club layout, all the visible track is handlaid Code 83 and 70 rail. Hidden track is Atlas Code 100 flex. It’s cheap, easy to use, goes down faster, and in hidden areas its grossly out-of-scale appearance is not an issue. Transitions aren’t a problem when done properly. Unreliable commercial switches are also not a problem for us as well don’t use them. Staging yard switches are handlaid like all our visible switches, and other hidden track has no switches. Hidden track and switches/crossings/other special work should never go together. That’s just asking for derailments and other issues caused by operators running through a switch the wrong way or train collisions where they can’t be seen.
When I get to the building stage for what will probably be my final layout, I will be using almost all code 100, except possibly for some special segments, like the incorporation of my HOn30 Minitrix.
A: I am salvaging a large portion of older track and turnouts, to reduce expense.
B: I have a quantity of rolling stock, including locos, pass cars, and a few specials from companies like Varney, Mantua-Tyco, Flieschman, Trix, and a few others still using the older deep flanges or European wheelsets that may or may not fit on code 83 track. And, before anybody suggests it, yes, where possible, I have either replaced wheelsets with RP-25 or on locos, made attempts to turn down the flanges, and where possible, adding the filet radius with JB Weld or solder. Got a bit of practice with my old $99.95 Unimat doing that.
C: No hobby shop in my area regularly stocks much in code 83.
D: At my age, I’m more interested in running trains that meet my desires in a fairly natural looking setting than engaging in any kind of fine scale railroading.
E: To my eyesight, I can’t tell the difference anyway.
I use code 83 for the mainline and staging and code 70 for the yard and industrial sidings. Code 83 works well for me and there is no need for another transition zone (going from code 100 to code 83 to code 70).[2c]