Well, if you’re up for it, then go for it!
In that case, I would somehow shim the Code 83 turnout to the adjoining Code 100 flex track, matching the tops of the rails, then solder the rail connections. And I would do it on the work bench, not in place on the layout. But, that’s just me.
Rich
Somewhat of a delay with my project installing the Walthers/Shinohara #6.5 code 83 curved turnout (spent two weeks suffering through a first time Soundtraxx decoder install in a 30 year old Atlas HO RS3…plus too nice outside to be cooped up in the basement…) but it’s now up and running w/o any mechanical problems mated to curved section of code 100 flex track as noted earlier.
First off, the “assembly phase” was done on the work bench. What I ended up doing was using the crushed code 100 rail joiner method (transition joiners were worthless for strength) to solder 4" pieces of 24" radius code 100 snap track to the turnout curved rail sections and a 3/4" straight snap track stub piece to the points end and shimming the .017" code 83 to 100 difference in height with a piece of .015 sheet styrene that I cut to the shape of the turnout but just past the outside rails - not to the ends of the ties. I had planned on using sheets of paper for the final shimming but as things turned out the remaining .002" wasn’t an issue so it wasn’t needed.
I painted the top of the styrene shim rail brown, then cut a 1/4" x 1/2" slot in the shim under the moveable rail tie bar before “Gooing” it to the turnout (only 6 ties - just enough to hold it in place).
I used short pieces of popsicle stick with a round head wood screw through the center to hold the top of the shimmed code 83 turnout curved rail ends even with the top of the 24" radius snap track pieces which were clamped the same way, all of which to a piece of plywood large enough for the turnout and added pieces of snap track.
Once the soldering was done I filed the bottom of the crushed soldered joiners flat for clearance for fitted filler tie sections that I Gooed in place vs. waiting until I installed the turnout in place to install filler ties.<
Over50, that is certainly good news.
How are locomotives and rolling stock handling this track work?
At higher speeds?
Rich
Over50,
Glad to hear the Good News,I knew my confidence in you,would not go unrewarded…
Cheers,
Frank
Another suggestion, one that I have used and was glad I did it. I used code 83 flex from the turnout back to a point where I could make the transition (83/100) at a less critical point. This may not be easy in all cases but if it can be done it might save some grief. Just a suggestion.
-Bob
Initial testing of the turnout on the layout revealed the blunt frog point I mentioned and the requisite “fine tuning” filing. After this I tested with a string of light weight 4-wheel truck 60 ft. passenger cars run through both curves in both directions at “normal” speed and pushed backwards (engine, not finger push) through the frog point as well at switching speed. Also no problems running lightweight flat and tank cars through the turnout.
As I noted I used the Micro Mark clear Plexiglas w/trucks “track checker” on the bench before installing the completed T.O. on the layout. Plus, with the bench fabrication it was easy to check and maintain the horizontal alignment of the joined track sections on the T.O. using the clamped popsicle stick method I described before soldering the T.O. to the crushed rail joiners. And as it turned out the only mechanical problem with the finished fabrication once on the layout was the frog point as noted.
I am now qualified as a King of the Bullet Proof Track Laying Empire! [swg]
I can’t address the code 83 to code 100 . I have done plenty of code 70 and code 100 transitions using the crush and solder method the big requirement is patience. Why 70/100 ,when I bought all this track and turnouts in the days of Lambert/Shinohara over 40 years back that’s what was available . I don’t recall 83 very available back then. After a few layouts its being reused again although I still have some new never used from back then. Of course I am also using Kemtron twin coil switch machines with their contacts for points and DPDT contacts for signals. Still have 30 plus new still in the package Kemtron machines to go through.Got a few GB screw drive motors for gates and semaphores also.
Ron High