Code 83 track

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi,

I realise that this is probably a worn out topic, but I will be starting my first layout and I would like to know what the best brands are for track. I looked at prices just for flex track and this is what I found:

Atlas: $0.19 / inch

Micro Engineering: $0.15 / inch

Peco: $0.20 / inch

Rapido: $0.21 / inch (includes rail 4 joiners per piece)

Walthers Sinohara: $0.31 / inch

What do you guys know about appearance, compatibility (with other brands) and quality of track from these brands?

Thanks

2

I prefer and use Walthers/Shinohara flex track. It comes 39" lengths, which I like. Most other brands are 36". Less joints.

The tie detail is pretty nice. And I like how it keeps it shape once you curve it. Easier to lay.

For switches I prefer Peco.

3

You’re right. Probably best to search the forum. There are tons of threads on this topic. Why start another?

Rich

4

Since searching may not find the answers you need - especially for new brand Rapido - here’s what I can tell you.

  • Atlas: Largest spike detail and (on most production, as Atlas has had at least three different tie patterns) ties that are perfectly even in spacing and side-to-side alignment. Very flexible and easy to use. Ties are about .017" taller than Micro Engineering or Shinohara/Walthers so Atlas 83 is the same overall height as their code 100. Atlas code100/83 “universal” rail joiners are huge and I don’t care for how they look at all.
  • Micro Engineering: Fine spike and tie plate detail. It takes the most effort to use due to the very tight fit between the spikes and rail. Random-looking ties. It’s not really flexible in the sense that Atlas is. Rail has a thinner cross section than Atlas or Shinohara 83. ME joiners are very tight on their own rail, and tough to use with other brands.
  • Peco: Never used it.
  • Rapido: Who knows? I asked Jason from Rapido on another forum to provide some information on tie thickness and rail contour and got no reply while other questions did get responses. Maybe it’s a subject they don’t want to discuss right now while they’re marketing the new “Bendy Track” as compatible with all brands. Early photos look a lot like Atlas, including tie thickness and even-ness, but the spikes look somewhat smaller. I have no idea how the rail contour or ties work or look with other brands. Rapido hasn’t announced turnouts.
  • Shinohara/Walthers: Intermediate in appearance between ME and Atlas. Spike heads are larger than ME, but ties have a similar random look. Rail has a thicker cross sec
5

When I returned to the hobby and hit the MRR shops, one shop had all the brands on a display on a piece of plywood. The look of Shinohara appealed to me the most, so that is what I bought. Twelve boxes and about forty turnouts later I am happy.

I like the fact that Shinohara track stays in place after you have bent it. Others don’t. They like the springy type. Do your homework and decide for yourself. There are people on here that will argue their choice is the only choice. I really think it is a personal preference thing.

6

Amen to that Brent.

There are times when personal recommendations can be helpful in choosing the right product or item, but I don’t think that flex track is one of them. I really like your suggestion. Buy one of each brand and try it out, look at the differences, and decide for yourself.

I am an Atlas guy because I like the fact that the track springs back to straight. I bought Peco when the LHS was out of Atlas, and I hated it. I avoid Walthers Shinohara because it is overpriced. ME flex track looks too different and is noticeable on the layout. Rapido is too new for me to comment on.

Rich

Rich

7

Alright, I will look at stuff from each brand next time I go to the hobby shop. The thing is that for ME I will have to order it and I now know that Rapido’s track is not available yet.

Thanks for the replies! Every little bit helps.

8

MB klein has Atlas code 83 for between $.11 and $.13 per inch depending on quanity bought.

9

If you need sprung switched, then Peco, otherwise Shinohara!

10

Do not forget Model Power flex track. It is the cheapest of them all by far. You can buy it in 100pc boxes for less than $300.00, or $3.00 a stick. About 8 cents per inch if you measure it that way.

Maybe you do not need 300’ of track, but the LION has over 900’ of the stuff on his layout and so CHEEP IS BETTER!

ROAR

11

For me it’s PECO or no go…Quality and reliability trumps price every time when it comes to track.

Dan

12

I found some Peco flex in a hobby shop (and should have picked up a few pieces to try) and it seemed to be springy like Atlas - which is extremely helpful in making smooth curves and transistions. Since the Peco Code 83 line includes several different turnout sizes, I am considering using them for my next layout.

–Randy

13

I second Dan’s opinion, Peco is all I will use.

14

Can you elaborate why you hated the Peco track?

15

I’ll fly in the face of the Peco posters and say that the only requirement is that the gauge has to be 16.5mm (for HO or HOj track) and it must be reasonably easy to connect sections. It helps if the appearance isn’t TOO gross, but you can put the really ugly stuff in tunnels (or hidden staging) and reserve the prettiest for the foreground.

OTOH, I won’t use ANYBODY’s specialwork. That’s an area where I insist on laying my own, to my standards and my chosen geometry. For plain-jane track I mix and match with great gusto (I have about five different brands and types in use, all in the netherworld complex of hidden staging and connecting thoroughfares. My ‘surface’ construction will be done with Atlas Code 83 flex, concrete or wood ties as appropriate. I have no special loyalty to Atlas, but that was the sale brand when I laid in my supplies.

Incidentally, Shinohara flex isn’t 39 inches long. It’s one meter long. There IS a difference, 0.34 inch to be exact.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - measuring in metric units)

16

Because once you bend it, you cannot straighten it, What I like about Atlas is that you can bend it and it will spring back to its origjnal shape.

Rich

17

Are you sure that was Peco and not Micro Engineering? ME flex is like that, but the piece of Peco I picked up to look at seemed to work like Atlas.

–Randy

18

Ever so close, but not quite: meter = 39.37". The actual track is almost 39.44". [8-|]

Dante

19

I ordered 25 pieces of Peco Code 83 last summer from M.B. Klein’s, Randy. It is springy, like the Atlas.

Crandell

20

Either I am misunderstaning the use of the word “springy” or else Peco has recently changed its manufacturing process.

Last time I bought Peco flex track was about a year ago because of the Atlas track shortage.

When I bend Peco flex track, it is all but impossible to perfectly re-straighten it to its original form. It tends to hold the form that it is bent into.

Rich