Model Power flex track

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

While in my LHS I noticed that he had model power code 100 flex track, no Atlas or Peco.

Has anyone any experience with this??

Thanks to all

Dave

2

Gidday Dave, if, as in these previous threads, the Model Power track is actually made by GT Italy, it’s OK to work with. Not quite as flexible as Peco Code 100 and yes, it is nickel silver.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/184953.aspx
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/126783.aspx

Cheers, the Bear.

3

Have seen off and on issues with Atlas track products, but not with Peco… Maybe everyone bought out the Peco after the shop ran out of the Atlas? That would be about the only possibility I could come up with at this point, that he ran out of Atlas, and, anyone doing a project is then made to either postpone, (not really a nice option…), or, use the availabe alternative. (Not my favorite option, but sure beats not doing it at all…)

4

My yard sale addict sister scored some Model Power flex and gave it to me (along with a toy power pack and some really junk rolling stock.) I laid it in hidden staging about five years ago, and it hasn’t given me an iota of grief.

It was a lot easier to deal with than Shinohara flex.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

5

Thank you everyone.

Everyone talks about the big two, so I was curious.

Dave

6

Almost half the code 100 flex track used on our large HO scale club layout is Model Power, purchased in boxes of 100 pieces at a time from Trainland, which was the only source I could find for it.

Once it is down and ballasted, it’s nearly impossible to tell any difference between it and Atlas flex track.

The Model Power track was marked “GT Italy” on the bottom. Since Model Power closed up shop and was purchased by Model Rectifier Corporation, I haven’t seen any MP track offered.

7

LION uses Model Power Track. Actually likes it better than Atlas. And the price is right too, if you are buying 100 pc boxes at Trainworld.

ROAR

8

I also used MP track, it is stiffer to bend but is better detailed than Atlas and the price was right.

The spike heads are smaller than Atlas:

9

LION likes the facat that it is somewhat stiffer, although him would by no means call it “stiff”

It holdes its shape while you install it, while Atlas springs back to straight.

LION likes Model Power track.

I do not know if it is still going to be available now that MRC has taken over the defunct Model Power assets. I assume it will develop some and discard others.

ROAR

10

All of the track on my current 10’ by 19’ double deck layout is Model Power (GT Italy) Code 83 NS flex track that I purchased from Trainworld. I apparently got the last of it as they had to scrape up a couple of 25 piece boxes to try to fill my last order for 100 pieces. I have found this track to be excellent to work with, relatively easy to shape (you have to perform a bit of tie massaging to get it to curve smoothly), and very good looking. It’s detail compares well to Atlas Code 83 track. Although I’m describing their Code 83 track, I would expect the Model Power Code 100 track to be similar in quality.

11

Have you checked the size of your code 83? Mine is nearer to 0.090" which does cause some problems when matched up to my Walthers/Shinohara code 83.

12

Bagal

Up to this point, my layout is 100% Model Power Code 83 rails so I haven’t had to mix and match yet. I still have about 50 feet of track to buy and lay so I will have a few transitions to deal with. However, this forum has provided several simple ideas on how to deal with rail height mismatches. I suspect that using Altas Code 83 flex track with it’s thicker than normal ties will allow the top of the Atlas rails to come pretty close to the 0.090" Model Power Code 83 rails. A little bit of joiner massaging should correct the rest.

13

I have laid 900 feet of Model Power Code 100 brass track with NO problems. This track has been in service for 25+ years. I clean the track twice a year with a bright-boy and Tidy-Track cleaning tool. It has served me well through the decades at $100 a case (300’). Originally purchased from Standard Hobby supply in New England.

14

i buy usually from a swap meet and have different brands everywhere including model power mostly. I have found the model power the easiest to work with and atlas 2nd. the different brands after ballasting look the same and i paint or have it already rail brown. I have found no real difference in rail size etc also.