I am interested to know if anyone has seen the new code 83 American track from Peco - any views – and – has anyone in UK seen it for sale or know of suppliers?
Chris
I’ve seen one piece, a demo Large (#6) Turnout that my LHS had on display.
Very Nice, in fact it’s some of the nicest trackwork I’ve seen. The equal of the ME Turnouts in look, and it felt somewhat more solid.
Very attractive switches.
I still plan on Using Atlas Code 83 Flex track in conjunction with Peco Code 83 switches (MRR term: Turnouts). Peco’s product reliability is hard to match and their turnouts can take a lot of punishment over the years!
I have the new code 83 turnouts on my layout. As a disclaimer I have to say that I am very picky about turnouts, both in looks and especially in operation. They are using a pressed metal point rail which lacks the smoothness of a real rail point. The point rail tends roll over (it moves) a tiny bit when a heavy loco takes the diverging route and there is a noticeable bump as the loco’s wheels hit the transition from point rail to solid closure rail. I was able to smooth this out by soldering these rails and filing but I won’t be buying anymore of these switches for my layout. Maybe my switches were a fluke, but it looks like the pressed point design is a contributing factor here. From the realism point of view, the throwbar ties are a bit heavy, otherwise pretty good.
I was a little disapointed because the code 100 switches are so robust and smooth. I have lots of the code 100 switches in staging.
I’m afraid I still like Micro Engineering, Bk enterprises, Railway engineering and Shinohara/Walthers (for stuff ME and BK. RE dont make).