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Model Power
Thread starter+Eric
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Has anyone had any experience with Model Power HO Code 83? I'm thinking about using this over atlas flex, but wanted to see if there were any good reasons not to use it.
Its cheaper but I made the mistake of using it and will never use it again. It is very hard to bend where atlas is very easy (atlas has one sliding rail mp doesn't.) Also think atlas looks better. I would recommend atlas over mp for ease of installation if nothing else.
I've used both and found the MP flex track was about as easy to use as the Atls track. I'm not sure what I did different, Mike, but the outside rail on my MP track slid just like the Atlas rail. I don't know if they have changed the way they make it or what. I bought mine about three years ago.
wow thats weird i ordered mine about a year ago and i eventually threw it out maybe I had old old track that had sat on the shelves somewhere and in the meantime mp had updated it.
a similay comparison thread: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/126783.aspx Opinions seem to be split to a love it or hate it kinda thing.
I think I'm gonna go with the MP track. My two main lines are going to be around 70ft. Of course that is not all, lots more track to lay. Just want to get it all bought in one hit. Hard to swallow paying near 400 bucks for the track.....
Let us know how it worked out for you.... I just got done laying 5 pieces of model power flex, it was horrible.... It looks cheap and it is.. Hard to flex, i ended up soldering each piece just so that i could get it to bend... blah.
Yes, it is hard to work with. Although I got it for nearly half the cost that atlas track is, so overall I'm ok with it.
I've laid about 30 or so pieces thus far, I plan to lay around 70 just for my main lines (just starting out with our layout).
I typically lay piece A and get it like I want it, then lay piece B. When piece B is curved/layed correctly I go back and nail A in. I tack the nails in as I go to help bend it. I've gotten to where it's not really that bad, I can lay consistent curves and get it nice and straight.
It's probably not for everyone, but as I wanted to be able to spend money elsewhere, I was willing to put up with a bit of hassle on the track side. As far as quality, I'm thinking it's pretty good. It's just tough to bend. Also, I don't feel as if it looks cheap when compared to atlas. I'm not sure I've seen any other brand up close, so I'm unable to compare.
I paid 189 for a box of 100 and a box of 100 of atlas would and been near 300 or so (cheapest I could find). This is code 83 as well.
