I’m just trying to find out what most modelers use for their layout.
Which is closest to US Railroad Tracks?
I used Atlas 83 on MY layout but on our Club layout we are using ME 83 an 70!
My default standard track is Peco code 75. All switches are Peco 75, as is all mainline track. Diamonds are either Micro Engineering code 70 or Atlas code 83, some sidings are M-E code 55, and my staging yards are Atlas code 83 flex (I had a box left).
Most of my visible track is Atlas code 83 for the mainlines, with Shinohara or Micro Engineering code 70 for the sidings. Hidden track is Atlas Code 100. Turnouts are Walthers or Shinohara.
Atlas Code 100 with Peco 100 turnouts. I have some older Briti***rains that have deeper flanges, otherwise I would use code 83
Atlas Code 83 is the new stuff I use just because it looks a little better for my branchline.
Atlas and Micro Engineering Code 83 flex track, Micro Engineering and Walthers Code 83 turnouts.
Atlas code 83 flextrack and Walthers Shinohara code 83 turnouts. I think it’s a good combination.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
[#ditto]
[#ditto][#ditto]
I use a combination of Sinohara and Atlas code 100 for the mainline and Atlas code 83 for the yard and passing tracks. All the turnouts are Sinohara, either code 100 or 83. I know that’s not ‘prototypical’ for HO layouts these days, but I really like the ‘heft’ of code 100 better, and besides, I have some Austrian prototypes with the NEM flanges, that bounce along the code 83 ties. After you’ve painted and ballasted the code 100, it looks far more prototypical (in fact, painting and ballasting my code 83 makes it look almost Branchline!).
Tom
I use Micro Engineering Concrete tie code 83. I realyl like it except for the fact that the rails come off the ties pretty easily
Atlas code 100. Atlas #4 and 6 switches.
I use Micro Engineering flex track in code 70 and 55 where appropriate, all switches are hand laid mainly cuz I’m cheap, but it’s handy to be able to put a switch anywhere you need it, even in curves. OK, I use Atlas code 100 in staging. HO.
Atlas code83 flex, Walthers #8 switches on the main, Atlas #505/506 switches everywhere else.
Why do a number of modelers that code 83 track on the mainline use code 100 in the hidden areas?
BOB H Clarion, PA
My preferences are Nickel Silver track made by Micro Engineering or Shinohara (Walthers) Code 83 for the main line and Code 70 for siddings or branch lines and a small amount of Code 55 for short, seldom, or slow speed, used industrial siddings. As for the turnouts, ME looks very nice, BUT they have a very, VERY poorly engineered manner of connecting the throw rod to the points. I have had to trash some of them and those that I could save I had to add screws and nuts to hold things together. If I buy their newer Command Control switches, I will add screws and nuts to the point/throw bar set-up BEFORE installing the turnout. I’d like to try the new Peco Code 83 turnouts - might just change to them. Presently I use Shinoraha turnouts after the ME fiasco. As it stands right now, NO ONE has made the perfect turnout yet, and since perfection is impossible, I guess no one ever will. Just part of the FUN of the World’s GREATEST HOBBY!!!
Norman
If the price is not too high, I would like to try the new Peco Code 83 as it’s supposed to look just like the prototype.
I hope that their turnouts are just reliable and have that “Hard Snap” action that the HO Europeon turnouts have been famous for!
Cheers!
Using Peco Code 100 at the moment, and ignoring the detail errors resulting…If I build another layout I will go over to their new Code 83 system - will probably be much the same prices as their Code 100 which is both easy to find (over here) and decent quality. The Code 100 turnouts are very reliable - only problem I’ve had was with needing to clean the point rail where it contacts the stock rail to solve strange electrical faults, such as locos running into a siding but not back out!
I been using Atlas track for years and simply will not change to any other brand.I use C83 on my HO switching layout…[:D]