Help. New guy with big problems. I am building a layout which started with code 83 track. My plan calls for PECO small and medium turnouts. I was concerned about the transition and alignment of the two different codes. I found some Atlas universal rail joiners. I keep breaking them.
Tip, secrets on how best to use these or ease of getting rail joiners to join tracks?
Any suggestions or recommendations on aligning two different code tracks?
Help.
-Ron
What code are the Peco turnouts? Generally it would be preferable to use the same code for all of the track components, including flex track. Even so, while the height of the rail would then be the same the rail cross sections or profiles are often slightly different. In my own case, I used Atlas code 83 flex track and Walthers code 83 turnouts. The Atlas universal rail joiners have worked out just fine. Every once in a while one would be a bit loose. I just tossed them out but one could squeeze them together slightly to tighten things up. I’ve never heard of breaking a rail joiner.
Good luck!
Why are you not using Peco cd83 turnouts? If you are going with their 100 line, then you are going to either have to buy transition joiners or modify your own. In either case you cannot just simply use a 100 joiner to join the sections as it will leave you with a bad bump.
David B
Ron,
I started using Atlas code 83/100 rail joiners for my code 83 track but soon realized that most of the time they were loose. I switched to Peco Code 83 joiners and they are just the opposite, to tight in most cases. I have broken some when trying to force them on to the rail. I finally made a streching tool; a short piece (3") of code 83 rail that I filed the ends to a gradual taper, which I push the rail joiner onto before using it on the track. It works great and I haven’t broken or should I say BENT any joiners since. For comfort, I drilled a hole in the end of a wood dowel and pressed the rail tool into it so I have a handle to hold it with.
I have squeezed some loose Atlas joiners but they don’t work as well. The other thing with Peco joiners, they are slightly smaller in overall size so they aren’t as noticable. We are talking about .005-.009"; not much but it is visible.
bob
All,
This tool idea sounds great. The reason, I am duplicating a switching layout from an MR article on small layouts (for practice), as a microcosm and training to a bigger layout.
The plan called for PECO small radius and medium radius which are code 100. I start laying the track with Altas code 83. Then I read the article again and when I went shoping I discovered the issue. So now instead of starting over (which I may we do) and just by the Code 100 track I thought I would try these special joiners. Anyway.
-Ron
I found the Atlas 83/100 joiners to be too easily stretched especially when installed mid-radius. The material is simply too thin to maintain its shape except when used on straights.
I rarely use Atlas rail joiners anymore. I’ve found that Micro Engineering’s joiners remain tighter. They are very tight, though. I made a special tool to spread them slightly out of a piece of code 83 rail, that has been filed to a point. I cut a couple of grooves in a piece of pine. I start by pushing the joiner onto the tool, then push the end into the groove. This pushes the joiner all the way on.
