I have seen some articles in MRR where track was connected using joiners from a different scale, i.e. HO flex connecting to a turnout using N joiners. Is this a recommended practice or just something a few people do? Does it look more prototypical?
I’m working in N scale and only have a small area for a layout (shelf style, around the walls, about 12" deep) so I’m looking for realism at every modeling aspect. I would like to hand lay every piece of track, but I will start off with flex and ready-made items and replace as wanted. I will also try small sections out first to see if I will really like it.
I have heard of it, never done it. I assume it makes for a tighter joint, but I would expect that once spread they still could loosen, though it might take longer.
I have seen HO track joints with HO joiners, painted track, weathering and ballasting and the joiners and soldering were virtually invisible. I think the work after the track has been joined has more to do with the looks than the size of the joiner.
If you can find a pkg of Z joiners you could try it and see how you like it.
The rail joiners are just a mechanical connection from rail to rail. For a Good electrical connection most use a jumper wire from rail to the power bus on each piece of track. A few even use a small jumper from rail to rail across the joint just like the real RR’s do. Also when using flex-track most solder the joints in the turns to keep the rails from kinking. While some do like to solder every piece of track. It sure makes it fun to have to replace trackage. Do you have a drumel and loads of them popcorn disc’s? You know the disc’s that you look at and they pop.
my choice has been using peco joiners. There are a tight fit, but well worth it on the visual front. Atlas joiners look like overweight sleepers next to them.
Yes, Using N scale joiners on HO scale code 83 is an old trick that is used to increase the realism by using the smaller, less noticeable joiners. I go even one further and use ME code 70 joiners on code 83…Yes, it is tight but they do fit.
When the track is painted and ballasted, you won’t notice the joiners in person, looking at the layout, regardless of which ones you use. However, they will be very noticeable in close up photos…which is why I use the smallest joiners possible.