At present I have quite a few pieces of Atlas track, code 100. Now that my tables are put up, I am ready to start laying track. My first goal is to layout the yard, and go from there. I have heard about Atlas’ supply problem, and also turnout issues. Since I know that I will need more track, including turnouts, I am looking at other manufacturers. Shinohara attracts my attention. I know it is more money, but it really looks nice. My question is can Shinohara and Atlas track be used together? Will shimming be required because of crosstie thickness variations? What about joining?
The main thing that needs to be the same is the code of the rail. If the Atlas you have is code 100, then any other track you add to it should also be code 100.
Yes, the ties will be different from one manufacturer to another so shimming under them should be done for the first inch or two. Then you do not want to nail down or pull down the track for at least a foot to avoid a sharp drop. The track will be held down firmly after it is ballasted.
Rail joiners are made for the code of the rail. So any manufacturers code 100 rail joiners will work on any manufacturers code 100 track.
LION mostly uses Model Power track from Trainworld. Cheap is cheap and that is what the LION goes for. No problem mixing it with Atlas, but unless you need a 100 pc box, you will have to buy it elsewhere. Trainworld only sells it by the 100 ct.
There is no difference between shimming for different tie heights and shimming for different rail sizes. The prototype uses different rail sizes, and it’s done on layouts (including mine). All you have to do for both tie and rail height differences is match the inside corner of the rails as closely as possible - typically by using tapered shims under the ties of the lower rail. Atlas code 83 track used to have thicker ties to match Atlas code 100 track. I’m not sure if they retained that feature when they changed manufacturers this year.
ME rail is considerably narrower in the base than Atlas rail of the same code. So ME rail joiners will be a very tight fit on Atlas rail, and Atlas joiners tend to be a little loose on ME rail. Walthers-Shinohara and Peco also have slightly different size rail bases on their rail of the same code. You can still use any joiner on any make track - just be prepared to open up the ME joiner a little to get it on Atlas rail. And an Atlas joiner may have to be crimped for a tight fit on ME rail.
I believe Atlas joiners are now universal - fit both their code 100 and code 83 rail.
I’m using code 83 track. For me the Atlas and Shinohara switches are connecting smoothly without having to make any compensations. If there are any adjustments to be made you might want to solder near the joiners to give that perfect fit.