Well. I am not happy w/ my track. I have a 24 X 5.5 ft layout. Approximately 15 X 5.5 ft is mainline. The balance of which is a combination reversing loop and coal branch. My mainline is constructed of Walthers Code 83 Shinohara. I think I did a "so-so" job of planning, plus I don't think the the Walthers Shinohara turnouts are the... shall we say..... best in the world. Between my mistakes and the Walthers turnouts.. I have a deadly combination. Today I met a gentlemen that owns a small hobby retail business an he also helps run a local club layout. He was telling me the club uses Peco track and switches. I had the opportunity today to see his home layout which also has Peco switches. I must say they are "stout". Their construction seems to solve many of the problems I have experienced w/ the Walthers turnouts. Needless to say, I was HIGHLY encouraged at seeing the Peco stuff in action. I am HIGHLY considering ripping up my Code 83 Walthers and replacing it w/ Code 100 Peco. I would greatly appreciate thoughts and comments anyone has experienced w/ Code 100 and Peco products. ??????????? Thank you. Kitbash
As Peco is a British made product, I have used their track exclusively in all the layouts I have built. It is definitely very robust, reliable trackage and can withstand being taken up and reused on another layout (several times!). If you do replace the code 83 with Peco, how about using code 75, or Peco's new trackage especially for the US market, IIRC it is code 83. Although I don't think that all varieties of turnout are available yet. You will not be dissapointed with Peco track in any scale.
I have been very satisfied with my Peco equipment. Now they have started selling a code 83 version that may cause you to rethink the code 100 decision.
Thanks for the replies. Yes, I am rethinking ... seriously rethinking the Code 83 issue. The cause of my track problems is I too hastily installed the track the first time around. I really don't need to give up code 83 to acheive flawless running. At the time I built my current layout, I was so excited to have the opportunity to again build a layout that I let my hear rule my head in the "taking my time department". Today I was Christmas shopping and went by my favorite hobby store. While there I purchased a couple of PECO switches. Tonight I have been overlaying them on my layout and am starting to get a concept on how to "redo" the track I am not happy with. This whole "track rework" thing will allow me to get refocused on my layout, at the same time rewire the track more suitable for my DCC system (in lieu of the DC block wiring), and based on early review even allow me more efficient siding space because of the new switch work. I will have to plan this to the "gnat's behind", get it organized, and chronicle on Rail Images.
After years of modular railroading using code 100. Peco, Atlas, shinaharo and hand laid track and switches. I found peco to be very reliable. A little limp on the frog angles. Six axel units and large steamers had a little problem with them. As do long passenger cars with body mounted couplers. On my home layout I went to code 83 with great success. If I were you I would try to rework my code 83. I know it's a little tempermental but once you get the bugs worked out the end product is far greater than code 100. Besides this is a opertunity to learn...and we all need a lesson or two. Merry Christmas Mike
By all means, stay with the code 83. With a little work & care, you can get good trackwork, and yes, the Peco switches are nice. I haven't seen the code 83 products, but if they operate anything like the old code 100 turnouts I used to have, you won't be sorry! I relaid the branchline on my layout with code 83, and to be honest, if I could, I'd go back & re-relay it with code 70 and 55.
So far the new Peco code 83 US trackage has #5 and #6 turnouts and #6 crossings as well as flex track. I am sure that other trackage units will be forthcoming.
One other possibility hasn't been mentioned- Micro Engineering (the former Railcraft) also makes turnouts in code 83. They also "snap" into place like the Peco turnouts, but for overall looks they're better. However, I still wouldn't throw rocks at Peco just yet..... Just thought I'd bring up an option
Thank you for the replies. I am DEFINITELY staying w/ Code 83. Don't know what came over me to consider anything else. What about Atlas Code 83 Custom Line? Today I hooked up a Peco turnout to a Tortoise machine and the Peco "snap spring" was stronger than the Tortoise spring coming up from underneath the layout. Also I am having difficulty finding Micro "DCC Friendly" turnouts instock anywhere. But even then, don't the Micro's "snap" into place? I'd like to be able to use my Tortoise machines. I have about 25 of them lying around. Additionally, I was on the web @ www.wiringfordcc.com and noticed some good articles about making turnouts DCC friendly. It seems the Atlas, Peco, and the new Micro Engineering turnouts need little if any prep-work before being installed. Plus forget about Walthers-Shinohara DCC ready turnouts. Walthers is outta stock it seems on half the stuff they advertise. What else is new? What about the Atlas custom line, Code 83?
I use Atlas code 83 turnouts all the time. I have never had a problem with them. Unlike Peco and ME they do not snap in place but I use Caboose ground throws so it dosn't matter.The only thing I don't like about Peco and Walthers is the tie spacing is not proto to US rail, which is alright if you use there track to match!
Kitbash, I use the Peco switches with Tortoises. Just take the spring out of the switches - it's easy to do. There are some pixs of the procedure on my website (below); from the homepage pick 'Trains', then 'HO Trackwork' to get there.
Mike. I appreciate the post and the link. That is a big help. I have bookmarked quite a few sites since I decided to tear out a couple of sections of my track and improve the operation. One of the things I am doing is increasing some tight "19" to 20" turns to 24". This is the max I can go w/ my layout. It will make a big difference in the steam engines I can run on my layout. I think I am more excited about this current project than I was when I started this layout January of '01. I will definitely bookmark your site and refer to it. I am going to try to start posting some current pic's of the "demolition" tonight or tomorrow. Thank you again.
Well, my photography skills leave a little to be desired, but the progress moves along.\ Here are a couple of shots of the progress so far... mostly nosey folks thrill seeking construction.
G'day from Oz Just be careful with the Peco Electrofrog with dcc . Small short occurs when crossing live frog decoders dont seem to like it, Have used code 100 for ummmm 30yrs or more[that long eekkk ]and insulfrog points . Can adjust spring tension by pushing lock bar back from cross bar so giving double lock capability regards Les
Does Peco now make HO scale flex track with US prototype tie spacing? Thanks. [edit] Is this the new product? '83 LINE' THE CODE 83 NORTH AMERICAN FLEXIBLE TRACKAGE SYSTEM TRACK (CODE 83)
The only thing I don't like about the new Code 83 peco turnouts are the headblock ties. They are too thick, because of the requirements of the peco switch machine tabs. I bought a couple and will have to see how I like them once in place and ballasted/painted. I've used Walthers on this layout and the look department can't be beat. If your worried about positive throw, then bend your own wire, or use a switch machine.
