very new to this can you mix say code 100 with code 80 track thanks for your time
itsback
You can transition from one to the other, go from code 100 to code 83. But I wouldn’t do one rail in code 100 and the other in code 83. Your train would lean over towards the smaller rail.
Code refers to the height of the rail, in thousands of an inch, i.e. Code 100 is rail that is .100" tall, whereas Code 83 is .083" tall, Code 70 is .070", etc. We’re only talking rail here, this measurement does not include the thickness of the ties.
Dan
Yes you can mix codes.
Code is nothing more then the actual height of the rail itself. So code 83 rail is not as tall as code 100 rail, thats all.
The trick to mixing them is to eliminate the “bump” that would occur if you were to just join the two pieces of track with a rail joiner. That bump won’t work. That has to be eliminated.
There are several ways to do that.
The first way to do this is, you can slip the joiner onto the code 100 piece and then just lay the code 83 rail on top and solder it in place. You might have to cru***he joiner a bit with some pliers to get the rail tops to line up.
A second way is to buy special rail joiners made just for this. It makes it easy, but it costs a bit more and you have to find them first.
The last way is to sand down the bottom of the ties on the code 100 till the rail tops match up and then secure the racks in place, but don’t make an actual physical connection between the rails. Then solder a jumper wire between the two pieces of track to carry the current.
Those are the ways that I know of. If anybody has any other ideas I know I’d like to hear them.
Walthers makes a transition track, code 100 at one end, code 83 at the other
They also make a transition track code 83 at one end, code 70 at the other
I can tell you however that when I went to Walthers and ordered some I was told they expect the next shipment this summer. So if your LHS does not have them on the shelf you may have some searching to do
There is a new transition railjoiner that I have seen advertised in MR but not have seen in person that looks promising.
Dave Nelson
all good many thanks you guys you make life a little easer mant thanks itsback
Atlas code 83 has thicker ties than Atlas code 100 and the two codes are the same height at the railhead when lain on a level surface (roadbed). Thanks to Atlas.
The Atlas transition joiners bend to accommodate the difference in the level of the bottom of the rails. They work fine but do not make a rigid joint like regular rail joiners.
Yes you can. I would suggest using one or the other for less hassles and headaches.