Peco C83 meets Fast tracks turnouts?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I’ve been investigating different tracks and the basic plan right now is ME c83 for the mainline. However. I recently found Peco c83 in the UK for roughly 4$ for each 90cm piece of flex track which is of course a lot cheaper, this would then include taxes also which I have to ad to any American order and is 25%. So the Peco track which I like is a good alternative. Shipping is of course a LOT cheaper.

But I have a question. Do anyone know the height of Peco C83 North American line flex track and how it matches the Fast Track turnouts built with ME track? I want my track work to be smooth and I want the least amount of shimming and such to make them match perfectly. So anyone have a clue?

Opinions on the Peco flex track would also be appreciated. I’m building my own turnouts so I will only be using the flex track. Maybe some special track work but I do not think so.

Thanks,

Magnus

2

Magnus,

Of course the height of the rail between ME code 83 rail and Peco code 83 rail is the same: .083 inch. The difference, if any, would be in the thickness of the ties.

I know that Peco ties are the same height as Atlas code 83 ties since their products line up. Walthers/Shinohara ties are thinner.

I don’t know the thickness of the ties supplied for Fast Track turnouts. Their web site shows all their wooden ties to be 0.08" thick. I don’t have a micrometer available right now to measure the Peco ties. Perhaps someone else can pitch in here.

-John

3

I know that to. That is why I asked about the height of the flex track and not the rail. Thanks for helping me out though. I think the Atlas track matches the height of my turnouts. I do have some Atlas track at home so I can check that out.

Magnus