I am starting back in the hobby after about a 15 year break and was wondering what the difference between HO code 70,83 &100 track is. I just purchased Walthers 2013 HO reference book and man a lot has changed about the hobby in 15 years!
It´s the size (height) of the rail.
Code 70 rail is .070" high, code 83 correspondingly .083" and code 100 0.100"!
I have noticed in some articles i’ve been reading people mix different codes on one layout, like code 100 on mainlines and 83 on spur or yard track. if they are different in height how is that possible?
Ulrich answers your basic question, but I would add that Code 70 and 83 were around 15 and more years ago (there is also Code 55 and Code 40 rail) – it just that in the last 15 or so years Code 83 likely has become the new “standard” for HO with competing lines of track and turnouts, including sectional track, in that size. The advent of DCC on a commercial basis has caused the retirement of many older locomotives from AHM and elsewhere that needed Code 100 rail. Code 100 is still out there of course for those that need its size or structural strength.
This means a person just starting out in HO these days can, if they want, have DCC, Code 83 track. and Kadee/KD compatible couplers right from the start. And that in turn might mean fewer model train “drop outs.”
Dave Nelson
Here’s a chart matching prototype rail weight to model railroad rail.
There’s a definite trend toward code 83 as it is close to 132 lb rail used on mainlines. Code 100 is bigger than even PRR 155.
OTOH code 100 from Atlas is about as cheap as your going to find (Model Power has cheaper flex track in bulk with Trainworld, but not turnouts).
The flip side is that model train wheels are too wide and using smaller rail just makes it worse.
As usual in this hobby, it’s all about the tradeoffs.
Enjoy
Paul
Welcome back to model railroading! I got back to it (3rd time) this year and find it quite enjoyable. This forum is a big help, also things like reference books (including many on MR site), track planning (booklets, MR online files, and free track planning software). There also are some key websites that are helpful in understanding DCC more before you proceed; e.g., the aspects that relate to turnouts such as powered or unpowered frogs and how that can be addressed.
On rail, there indeed are many choices. Depending on whether you decide to handlay track (I didn’t) or go with premade track (rigid or flex), there are lots of options.
Ask questions as needed, there are many with extensive experience who can provide the insight you may need.
Paul A
Transition rail joiners and transition pieces of track are available. You can also place a suitable shim under the lower rail, or file down the higher rail where they adjoin.
There are likely several methods that might be suggested. Bottom line, like many things (e.g., powering frogs) is if you want to go a certain direction (e.g., transition track codes) do expect that there are solutions that are not terribly difficult. I haven’t done it but recall one of the 2012 Virginian project videos may demonstrate a method?? The related MR mag articles may show that as well. I know one of my track booklets (I’m away from home now) shows a method. Plus Walther-Shinohara (maybe others offer a piece of transition track. Others can comment on “preferred” methods and whether they are specific for specific brands.
Paul A
By the way, another height issue that can arise even within the same code (e.g., 83) is when different brand components meet. Particularly, Atlas code 83 flextrack has thick ties to mate with their code 100 track. When meeting Walthers-Shinohara turnouts (which have thinner ties), there is therefore a nominal 0.017" difference. This is easily accommodated by shimming the turnout; e.g., with cardboard from the turnout box (close enough to the needed thickness) or piece(es) of 0.015" sheet styrene. Not enough of an issue to affect selection (in my opinion) but a detail to deal with.
Paul A
There was also a brand of track where the base of the rail was different. Above the ties you would notice nothing, but the rail actually went deeper into the tie.
LOOK at what you are buying. LION only uses code 100, it being the cheapest. The current issue of MR does have an article that show different sizes of rail on the same project.
LION paints the web of the rails, so nobody can really see that they are otherwise over-sized anyway.
ROAR
The January issue of MR has an article on trackwork by Pelle Soeborg. Pelle demonstrates how to join code 83 to code 100 by squishing one end of a standard rail joiner and soldering the smaller rail on top. Works like a charm on my layout. Lion, that’s the one you meant, isn’t it?
Stu
yup… That is the one.
I just got my new issue today. I suppose that is the Febooary issue.
ROAR
I have noticed in some articles i’ve been reading some people mix different codes on the some layout,like code 100 on mainlines and 83 on spur or yard tracks. if they are different in height how is this possible?
I’m in HOn3 and code 70 is the defacto standard there for years and is the equivalent of code 100 in standard gauge HO. ( a bit big). Thus, many precision HOn3 folks are moving to code 55. That stuff is just too flimsy for my tastes, especially in flex track, and I’m not hand spiking the stuff either. In general, I find that high scale is the order of the day this century.
I also returned only 3 years ago, (Jan 2010), to MR being out of it since the late 80’s. A lot has changed for the better, technologically, for sure. When I left, it was code 100 pretty much universally in HO. Now, you have to watch what you pick up and buy at the counter. You might have the wrong code rail turnout in your hand! For many though, it is all part of the building experience to stay in tight scale requirements.
Rail joiners for smaller codes are also a good deal more expensive. Less costs more. A bit Orwellian.
Richard
In addition to the modified rail joiner method (where the smaller rail is basically soldered on top of a flatted railjoiner mated to the larger code rail) Walthers sells transition pieces of track, about 6" long, Code100 to Code 83, and Code 83 to Code 70. With a bit of work on the plastic underneath the rail you can even make these pieces slightly curvable.
Dave Nelson