I am new to O scale (except that this is the scale I started out with as a 5-year old kid). I am now doing mostly H0, including some US (H0n3) and European (H0m) narrow gauge, and a little in N scale. However, the chance to get affordable O scale narrow gauge has increased in the last years. And with the new PSC/MMI K-27 I simply can't resist anymore. I have no room for a large layout, thus I opted for the scale version On3 instead of the more "practical" On30. Now, I realize,. there are several options for the tracks. I have no intention to build them myself. What I found was meager, but if I am correct, there are 3 options: 00 tracks or On3 tracks with either code 100 or code 83. Am I correct that code 100 is more common, but that code 83 would be closer to true scale? Any recommendations as to which type of track I should select? [ 05. February 2005, 21:23: Message edited by: swissboy ]
The only time you need code 100 it using a "K" type loco on a real tight curve. If you are doing early steam you could use code 55 or 70.
Jim, can you please elaborate? I will be using the "K"s; I have recently ordered one of those PSC K-27s that should be out in March. Thus, where may I encounter problems? And, on the other hand, how "bad" do code 100 tracks look? Is there by any chance a web site that shows such comparisons?
What may happen is you will turn over the rail on a tight corner if you are running code 70 or smaller. Code 83should work out OK. A lot depends on the weight and stiffness of the loco.
Jim (or anybody else who can help), I have an additional question. I have now received a number of On3 code 83 rails. However, they came without any rail joiners. My H0m (Bemo) rail joiners would fit real nicely, but they are way too short. The regular H0 rail joiners I have are too large. What kind would fit? Can I order them in H0 code 83? PSC said their On3 code 70 would work, but not too well. So what is the optimal solution? I should add that I can only use the track pieces as "snap tracks", thus the stability of the joiners is really of some importance.
