Have any of you used code 70 rail for mainline HO operation?
Whole layout is handlaid code 70 and some code 55 in the yards.
Yes, always have since the upgrade from brass snap-track 40+ years ago.
Bill
Thank you gentlemen,
I already have about 120 feet of code 70 rail I bought many years ago. Now that I finally have a place for a decent layout I’ll be handlaying with Central Valley tie strips. Also building my own turnouts.
Both of my first two layouts were “all” code 70 with the exception of code 55 on spurs on the 2nd layout, this one however will be code 83 with code 70 in the yards and code 55 on “some” of the spurs.
Both of my first two layouts were all done with Kemtron flex-track for the code 70 but I’m using Micro-Engineering for the code 83 this time with what I have left of the Kemtron code 70 for the yards, which are basically just long storage tracks for complete trains to sit on as far as I’m concerned. The spurs are more for looks than actual usage as well as my main interest is just watching my trains run and looking as realistic as possible while they’re doing it.
Mark
WGAS
Yes, my mainline modules are code 70 for standard gauge, code 55 for narrow gauge.
And I have even some code 40 narrow gauge tracks and turnouts, no problem.
Wolfgang
Code 70 rail approximates 110 - 115 #/yd prototype rail in HO, standard for mainlines in 1900, common on all but heavy duty mainlines through the 1920s, pretty much obsolete for mainline construction by 1970.
If you are modeling PRR in its prime, lay your main tracks with Code 83 and everything else with Code 70.
If you are modeling the Milwaukee Road, right up to abandonment, lay all of your main and secondary tracks with Code 70.
If you are modeling the Podunk and Northern, lay the main tracks with Code 70, and everything else with smaller rail.
If you are modeling any present day Class 1, the main tracks should be laid with Code 83. Code 70 is still useful for yards and industrial trackage.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Before converting to N-Scale I used Code 70 track on one of my HO-Scale layouts. Approximating 100# rail it was just a little bit light for transition era high speed running but I did use it for slower speed sidetrackage.
I have a strip of Shinohara code 70 that I’m saving to build my shelf layout. Because I’m modelling the N&W in the '50s Code 83 is appropriate, I understand, for their mainline trackage, while the code 70 will work for the secondary track and sidings.
Alvie