Types of track

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m picking up where I left off after moving with a half started HO track plan. I have enough Atlas code 100 track to finish but I am thinking of using Peco insulfrog turnouts. Will Peco code 100 turnouts mate up to atlas track ok? Are the ties brown or black? Are the new Peco code 83 turnouts better than their older code 100 in any ways?

Thanks guys for your input…

2

Let’s see if we can answer these in order.

  1. Yes, Peco code 100 will mate to Atlas code 100.
  2. It seems to me that the industry standard is black ties for code 100 and brown for code 83. I have a Peco code 100 curved turnout that is mated to Atlas code 83 and it works just fine. . The only reason I chose it was that it had wide radious curves. If you mate code 100 to code 83, save the money that you’d spend on transition rail joiners. Just use some thin styrene to shim up the code 83.
  3. Maybe someone else can answer the old vs new on the Peco turnouts. I like the positive over-center spring on the new Peco turnouts. It keeps the points closed against the stock rails. [:)]
3

The new Peco turnouts are designed after American-pattern switches, whereas the older ones look more like European types. I use Peco Code 100 because they look more like trolley switches than American-pattern ones, and find they work fine with my Atlas Code 100 flextrack. The old Peco turnouts also have the positive over-center spring, but have had some issues with keeping electrical flow going after the track is painted/weathered.

4

My entire layout is Peco code 100 turnouts and Atlas code 100 flex track, my LHS doesn’t carry Peco code 100 track only code 75 for some strange reason. Anyway they work great together.

5

I have to agree! Even a couple of new curved Peco 100 turnouts mated very well with my code 100 track. All this and DCC friendly too!!
Jim

6

Thanks guys. Sounds like Peco would be the way to go for finishing up my track plan.

7

My layout is also Peco 100 turnouts and Atlas 100 track. It is a great system and works together fine. The tie color is not exactly the same. The Atlas is clearly black with the Peco having more of a really dark brown. After weathering it is not obvious at all.

8

On my home layout, I use Atlas 100. Really because at my hobby shop that’s all they carry!