Folks, I’ve been in the hobby since last August and I’m already feeling confident to move to a different level. My first HO set was from Bachmann with the E-Z track system (steel with black roadbed.) I now feel like changing my track altogether and I’m thinking of switching to Bachmann’s HO nickel silver rail with gray roadbed or Atlas’ HO Code 83 (Brown Ties/Nickel Silver Rail.) Is there anybody out there who could give me some feedback and/or their personal experience with these two track systems? I’m all ears.
The Atlas on Woodland Scenic foam roadbed is cheaper and more versitile. It also hooks up to more turnout opportunities. It also allows you to change your mind as you go, and you will. The Bachman stuff is realy nice for temporary layouts like under the Christmas tree or on the ping pong table between games, but if you are going to do much scenery, Atlas or one of the more expensive counterparts are the way to go. There are many threads to help learn to lay it, or just ask your questions.
Hi, I am also buying new track and was wondering which color is more protypical, brown or black? Or does it depend on the location in the country one is trying to model?
Thanks, Scott
[2c] Here’s something I Posted some time ago, on another Forum, but may be of help to you:
AND
[quote]
QUOTE: Posted by siberianmo Posted: 05 Aug 2005, 23:54:33
[2c] on the subject - Seems we both have arrived at that stage in life where the fingers don’t work q
For a serious layout, move on from the E-Z track and use flex track. As Art said it opens up a world of possibilities just not available within the E-Z limitis. Then you can ballast to the color of your choice. (You’re right Scott, based on region – ballast is different colors).
Here’s some of what I’m doing to try to salvage my EZ track. Since it is so high in relation to the buildings, I rased the surrounding area with 3/16 inch foam. Then I caulked along the edges and when that shrunk I used drywall mud to fill the gaps. Now I have to re clean the track and repaint it.
Do yourself a favor and just scrap the EZ track now and go to flex.
Hi, I was actually asking about the tie color…not the ballast. Sorry
Thanks, Scott
The difference between brown ties and black ties is the code of the track. Black is 100, brown is 83. Use that as your guide, not tie color because you will eventually ballast it anyway.
I don’t recommend using that as a guide because I once bought Atlas Code 100 flex track with Brown ties, and other manufacturers such as Peco, Shinohara and Micro Engineering also have Brown ties with their code 100 track in addition to Grey concrete ties.
Stephan
I still love the peco
but price is a concern
go for 83
the 100 is not a true size of the prototype
its worth the few extra bucks
K
I agree that code 83 looks more prototypical but equipment with deeper wheel flanges can ride off the rail and onto the ties and eventually derail especially over the turnouts. Unfortunately, I found that out the hard way some years ago when Code 83 was first introduces and went out and purchased a Shinohars #6 double crossover [:0] Besides, I’ve always stuck with Code 100 and once the track is painted, weathered and ballast is applied will look just as good and cost a little less $$$. I guess it’s just a matter of preference. [:)]
Stephan
I have walked over many ties. Every single one of them, bar none, was brown AND black. Where the creosote, or pine tar, or pitch, had worn or was not well applied, the ties were brown. Where the chemical had stuck well, they were still black.
What I am saying is, get whatever you can because if you are really that concerned about them you will have to alter their appearance no matter which you get. They’ll have to be dabbed with streaks of either colour to get them to look like the ones in my memory.
This pertains to wooden ties.
peco is the top of the line
and has a cross section made in to thr rail
its more powerfull
wish I got that
I will upgrade to it soom I have already done 4 turnouts peco
and I love them low profile
check it out
K
Selector planted the tie-color spike maul directly on the head, with one small addendum. In places with harsh climate, older wood ties will eventually weather out to a brownish dark grey.
From a practical point of view, electrical problems occur in inverse proportion to the number of rail joints. Go with flex track, with rails four times as long as sectional. Later on, you’ll love yourself for your foresight. (Better yet, solder jumpers around every uninsulated rail joint and kill open circuit problems forever.)