flextrack, What not to use?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have been using Atlas track to re-do my layout and need some more. I can order some from HobbyLink but it takes about a week or I gould get some Model Power at Hobby Lobby. Is the Model Power worth using?
Mike

2

wait the week!

3

Model Power Is very stiff, making it hard to bend, what it looks like up-close i Wouldn’t know, but in my opinion stick with the Atlas.

-James-

4

I used a few pieces of Model Power track because my LHS was out of the Atlas track. I didn’t like it and ended up removing the 3 pieces and replacing it with Atlas. Wait the week.

5

I agree, wait the week.

6

I’ve used hundreds of pieces of Model Power track and have had no problems with it other than the fact that it is stiffer than Atlas and a little harder to bend, but once bent it stays. The crossties on MP track are actually more prototypically sized than Atlas track. Once it’s in place and ballasted, it’s hard to tell the difference between the two without looking very closely.

MP track is made in Italy and Atlas is made in China. Considering the differences in these economies, there’s no justifiable reason for Atlas track to cost so much.

7

is this the best way to get it bent with the human hands

Or do you have a certain procedure ?? to lay the flex

K

8

Tough to bend?

Awwwe shucks. Atlas code 83 ready made True Track is simplitcity itself for those who want ‘roadbed ala mode’.

Code 100 is code 100 - as long as it’s in gauge. I suppose Walthers & Micro-Engineering are out of the question. - Too tough, or too expensive?

9

Not entirely true. Code 100 gives you the general rail profile and you have to be careful mixing brands of track. The rail flanges could be of slightly different widths or the ties can be slightly different thicknesses. Mating the two often requires shimming and filing for flawless operation.

10

Not to disagree, but …“COULD BE”? or IS?

Anyone going up against Atlas 100 had to deal with their product and market share.

(ANYONE out there with different brands of code 100 Flex care to chime in?).

Code 83 is known to vary betreen brands - Atlas - Peco - Micro-Engineering - Walthers, not only with different specs, but different tie spacings. Atlas & Micro-Engineering Code 83 for example.

11

Well i will chime in Don, I Use Peco Track Exclusively and i like it very much, It isn’t overly stiff but when bent it doesn’t unbend, which i like, The price here between Atlas and Peco is minimal and i prefer Peco over Atlas.
The Price for Atlas here is $4.95 a length and the Peco is $5.50

-James-

12

Wait the week- MP has ties that are smaller than Atlas- it will not look good using both in the same layout.

13

Stick with the Atlas. Model Power SUCKS. As some others have stated, it’s a *** to work with.

14

I stayed away from the Model Power flextrack when I started my current layout. The only MP track I could find (locally) was brass. After all the steel/brass/NS track on my old layout and the resulting conductivity problems, I went with an all-NS layout. True, it does oxidize a bit, but that can be easily removed with some Goo-Gone and a clean piece of felt.

15

Do not buy the Model Power track!!! Even if it’s in gauge it is stiff and not built nearly as well as the Atlas track.

16

My entire layout is built with Atlas code 100 flex track, that’s all I’ve ever used. Have never had any issues with it and it’s readily available at my lhs. I think the only change would be next time to use code 83.