Track

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have been wondering for a long time what the difference is between code 83, 100, and 70 is? Also, what is N.S.?
Thanks

2

Hi,
The code is the height of the rail, if I remember right it is in thousands of an inch. Code 55 and 70 the smallest would be the size of rail. You would find these sizes on sideings in yards or lightly used trackage. Code 83 and 100 would be found on main line trackage. N.S. stands for Nickel Silver rail. This rail does not tarnish or get dirty like brass track and looks more prototypical.

3

hi, daves answers are right on the mark,additionally i would recommend that if you are about to build a layout regardless of the type of rail you use you should consider painting the rail,before you put down any ground cover. nickel silver rail is extremely bright once it is spiked down,painting the rail makes it fit into the rest of the scenery like it was there forever. becareful not to paint switch points or rivets thios will cause you some electrical problems.

4

hi, daves answers are right on the mark,additionally i would recommend that if you are about to build a layout regardless of the type of rail you use you should consider painting the rail,before you put down any ground cover. nickel silver rail is extremely bright once it is spiked down,painting the rail makes it fit into the rest of the scenery like it was there forever. becareful not to paint switch points or rivets thios will cause you some electrical problems.

5

Thanks Bob. Kenneth, I picked up a book from Kalmbach Books a few months ago. It is called Trackwork and Lineside Detail for Your Model Railroad. It has articals for just about everything including those important details that make trackwork look more realistic. A tip I can offer you is to use a papertowel wrapped around a block of wood with paint thinner (not soaking) on it to remove a good amount paint from your rails, and then use a bright boy (looks like an abrasive pencil eraser) to finish cleaning the rails.

Dave

6

Thanks you guys I had no idea what any of this was. So code 55 and 70 are use on sidings and on lightly used track and yards and code 83 and 100 are used on mainline track. Which is most prototypical?

7

basically you’ve got it. However, code 100 is still a little large for exact scale purposes if that matters (i use 100 exclusively). Code 83 is really the best match for modern mainline rail. However, code 100 is used by most people because it is often cheaper to get and the slightly oversized rail can eliminate a few problems if the track isn’t exactly/perfectly laid or if some of your rolling stock has oversized flanges (some older AHM/Roco/or European made)

8

Kenneth,
A freind and I built a layout for a hobby shop and we used Atlas Code 100 NS. We laid the track on cork roadbed and let trains run over it for a week to make sure evrything was right. After painting, ballast and a little weathering everything blends together and you really can not tell it is code 100.

Good luck,
Dave
(davbox@excite.com)