I shall start an new layout,by using code 83 tracks and turnouts from the same factory.
Right now i have a pair of Tillig Elite turnouts and some flextracks.
But i did ordered an Peco long turnout number 8" code 83,to see how good they are and being painted and dirty by painting with either oilcolour or acrylcolour name “burnt umber”.
I use first an sprayprimer colour with grey as baseground on the track.
I wonder if anyone of you are using Peco´s code 83 tracks and if you have pictures to show to me what you have done,by working with Peco´s tracks.
My entire HO scale home layout is Peco code 83 flextrack and turnouts, except for a couple of Atlas code 83 products where Peco wouldn’t fit. All my track is on Woodland Scenics foam roadbed and is fastened with latex caulk.
I found the only problem to be in trying to marry up Peco to Atlas track because the foot of Peco rail is slightly narrower than Atlas rail, and the Peco rail joiners would not fit onto Atlas track. In these instances, I used Atlas rail joiners squeezed slightly closed to fit onto Peco rail.
Overall, Peco flex track and turnouts are a very good product.
Peco code 83 flextrack is an excellent product. It is very easy to form smooth curves which will retain the curvature until permanently secured. Peco turnouts are also excellent. The only issue I have with them is that the points are not very prototypical. I have 5 code 83 Peco # 6 turnouts out of of a total of 57 on my layout.The others are code 83 and code 70 Micro Engineering turnouts- also an excellent product. I have never had a problem with the Peco turnouts. In my opinion, “burnt umber” is too brown to look very realistic on mainline rail. I use an airbrush to paint the rail. My formula is one half Grimy Black, one quarter Roof Brown and one quarter distilled water. Paint is Polyscale. Rail under heavy traffic does not rust. Seldom used rail turns rusty. Take a drive and look at some real railroad track and make up your own mind.
no doubt, that Peco code 83 turnouts and flex track are both superior products, that will work well and also look good, once that too brownish color is “dulled” down a bit. The only issue I have is price - Peco is outrageously pricy, when compared to Atlas, who is also offering a range of code 83 track components.
Using Tillig Elite track for a US outline layout may not be a good choice. In the US, ties in turnouts are always laid straight, with the length staggered, whereas in Europe, ties are laid at an angle, starting shortly behind the frog. Btw, Peco code 83 track follows US practice.
Yes I think also Peco is first rate quality track in HO code 83 components like it’s counterpart in Nscale code 55.
About the price, it’s around the same as the Walthers/Shinohara turnouts series which are also first quality.
Atlas has always tried to offer components in small price and it’s great for everybody, but the other manufacturer are aligned on a second level of price.
May be also because they are non American manufacturers and need to be imported to USA; their price include perhaps a lot of taxes which play a role in the offered price.
Here in Europe Peco is in the same price range than the other manufacturer.
Anyway the user will be full satisfied whith this line of track which is compatible whith other code 83 makers.