I am thinking of going with Atlas code 83 for a 24" radius --They only go to 22" in 100
All my track work including spare sections and turnouts ( if I decide to go back to adding some sidings ) are in code 100 so I would like to keep the straights at 100
If I transitioned off the 100 straights using the joiners to a small 3 inch section of 83 before the 83 radius would that help rather than transitioning right to the 83 radius or would something more than 3 be needed
Some people don’t like them, but I’ve used them without problem. They tend to be a little flimsy in the center where the bend occurs to accommodate the different rail heights. I’ve used them to make transition tracks to go from 100 to 83. I buy a piece of code 100 and a piece of code 83 snap track. I cut a section of the code 100 and a section of the code 83 and join them with the transition joiner. I then solder the joint to get a solid piece. I can make multiple transition pieces from the original two sections of snap track, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying the ready made Walthers item.
I was going to ask the same question as the other poster: Why not use flex track? Regardless, transition joiners work fine. I use them to connect code 83 to 70, code 70 to code 55, etc. without any issues. I also use the Walthers transition sections in a few places. You may what to consider them, although they are pricey compared to the joiners.
Well I already bought the 24 inch radius pieces about 8 months ago but got involved in other non RR projects and just got back about in a month ago and have been facillating on which way to go
I may go flex 83 for the straights since any sidings would come off the inner 22 -100
One final thought: there is nothing wrong with using code 100 turnouts with code 83 track, be it sectional or flex. In the real world, the weight of the rail for turnouts is sometimes heavier than that of the connecting trackage. The different weights of rail are connected by compromise joint bars, the prototype equivant of transition joiners. See http://www.harmersteel.com/catalog/track-tools-accessories/compromise-joints-insulated-joint-bars/