ModelRailroadForums.com is a free
Model Railroad Discussion Forum and
photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
Need info to make a decision..
Looking at using Precision Scale or Micro-Engineering code 83 flex, and am planning #6 turnouts, also from ME (does PS make them???).
Would the two brands work and look ok together, or are the rails a little off in height, etc.
Would ME's turnout work with PS's track, or is there a better #6 that would be ok with both?
I would use ME flex track and turnouts. Both brands should mx and match but there's no advantage over the ME switches compared to Precison Scale and I think ME flex track does a much better job on curves. Given the choice, I'd actually use Walters/Shinohara but they are always out of stock so it's tough to build a layout with vapor.
I am a firm believer in ME products. I love the stiffness for the flex track, it hold curves nicely. One thing to keep in mind, ME has scale profile ties, which means they're not thinned down, like some brands have been known to do in the past.
ME switches are spring loaded, so the points stay tight.
As Jim said, Walters/Shinohara are the king of pre-built switches in some ways, but hard to come by as they're only made once a year. There's a custom order switch available through Walthers, and I've heard some good reviews, never tired one myself.
Never tried the ME switches, but I am fond of Peco for duribility, reliability, and availability. (Did I miss any ability's?)
I'm in the process of replacing all the Atlas code 83's with Pecos as I am getting nothing but grief with them. Not to knock the brand or anything, they're just not working out for me.
Never tried the ME switches, but I am fond of Peco for duribility, reliability, and availability. (Did I miss any ability's?)
I'm in the process of replacing all the Atlas code 83's with Pecos as I am getting nothing but grief with them. Not to knock the brand or anything, they're just not working out for me.
I have always used Peco turnouts in insulfrog only because I lacked the electrical knowledge to use electrofrog. However, ME has recently come with the DCC friendly electrofrog turnouts where they have gapped the rails ahead and behind the frog in four places. They have then gone ahead and glued clear plastic in the gaps. As a result all you have to do is wire ahead of the gaps. I think that maybe even I could do that. Gartner has a good picture of these turnouts on his website:
www.wiringfordcc.com
Larry
I'd heard good things about ME's turnouts but wasn't aware they were spring-loaded. Their DCC abilty is a selling point for sure if/when I go that route.
Still the question of rail-height compatibility, and I'm intrigued that PS has pre-superelevated flex.. Anyone use it? Easier just to elevate it on my own for a gradual curved rise?
Never heard of the pre elevated flex, sounds interesting. Who is PS?
I just add styrene shims when needed and ballast over.
As far as I know, any code 100 should all be the same, ditto for code 83.
One thing I'll throw in is that I've been noticing the ends of my new Atlas flex is squished a little, making it lower than the Peco switches I'm mating them to. Maybe from the factory cut...
PS is Precision Scale.
http://www.precisionscaleco.com/
Look under 'Misc' then track then HO. They have straight flex and curved elevated flex. Found out about it from another board, where there were some pics of it posted. Lost that link though.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)
