I have code 83 flex track and the rail joiners I ordered are super thin and don’t fit onto the track even though they say it fits code 83 track. Any suggestions for rail joiner brand that fits?
Thanks!
Atlas rail joiners fit code 100 & 83 track. I’m not sure if it’s Atlas flex you’re using, but that’s the most common and the joiners should fit. You might need to tweak them with some needlenose pliers.
-Ed
I use exclusively Atlas “N” rail joiners. Those specific to “N” scale, not those labeled for 100 & 83.
A couple of questions – what brand of flex track, and what brand of rail joiners are you using? I ran into a problem with Peco code 83 flextrack having a narrower foot than Atlas code 83 track, and a Peco rail joiner will not fit onto Atlas rail. The solution when having to mix the two brands was to use Atlas rail joiners and gently squeeze the end that went onto the Peco rail.
Depends on what flextrack you are using. I am using Walthers/Shinohara track and found the Atlas joiners to loose and Micro Enginnering joiners too tight., but Walthers/Shinohara joiners are just right., so maybe the solution is to use the same make as your flex track.
Bill
I made a simple tool that I use to spread the Micro Engineering rail joiners so they are snug, but can still slip them on with my fingers.
I took a short piece of code 83 track and, using my bench sander, sanded a point on one end. Then, using a file ground the base to a taper.
Push the joiner onto the end of the spreader too.
I have a piece of pine that I cut grooves in with a Dremel with a cutoff disk. Make the groove just wide enough so that the base of a piece of rail is a snug fit. Holding the tool with a pair of pliers, I push the tool down into a groove.
I can slide the joiner off the tool with a fingernail. Now slide it onto your piece of layout track.
I use standard Atlas joiners. Basic design that has survived many years now.
The biggest difference between the two are physical size. The Atlas joiners are huge by comparison.
These are the Micro Engineering code 83 rail joiners. A closeup picture of the track will also reveal problem spots. As you can see, there are vertical alignment issues with this joint. I’ll dress them down with a file. When you file the tops of rail, make sure to dress the inside top of the rail as well, this will eliminate “pick spots”. That’s what I call a point in the trackwork where your wheels will “pick” the rail and climb over it, causing a derailment.
These are the Atlas code 83/100 rail joiners. Notice the difference in size.
I use the N scale Atlas CD80 joiners. They are snug, but they dissapear with painting.
David B
Like David B, I also use Atlas Code 80 N Scale rail joiners on my GT brand HO Scale Code 83 rail. I filed down one end of a length of rail to use as a sizing tool. However, I size only the ends of the joiner so that they remain a tight as possible in the final installation. No alignment problems so far. As David B mentioned, these small joiners all but disappear when the rails are painted.
By the way to the OP. You’re not trying to slide the joiners under the ties are you? It won’t work unless you do as noted earlier and separate the ties from the rail. Atlas also makes endcaps for the track if you cut ties away.