Newbie Quesiton on Different Manufacturers

[4077hawkeyepierce]

I am wondering if I purchase HO scale track from two different companies/manufacturers will they work together? Also if I purchase a Loco from one manufacturer and the boxcars from another will they all fit as long they are all HO?

Thanks

Hawkeye

PS I have been looking online for 1:87 scale models and cars for a layout, do you have any suggestions for good sites? Thanks again!

 

[Selector]

If they are HO gauge, and not proprietary with special fasteners or with electrical contacts between the rails (Kato Unitrack, Bachmann EZ-Track, as examples), you can, with some effort, make most rails work together, even with varying codes. But, if it is sold as HO, any flex track should be made to work. It is much easier to not mix codes, and much easier to get supplies of as much lengths of a manufacturer's tracks as you will need.

HO engines that don't need special electrical contacts, such as those made by Fleischman and Marklin, will run on all HO tracks....provided the flanges on the tires clear the spikehead details. Some older locomotives and rolling stock will not run on codes of rail smaller than Code 83. Code 100 is safe for virtually all flanges.

Are you looking for HO scale or Proto 87? You won't be running Proto scale HO items on commercially available HO tracks. You will need to purchase the fine scale tracks with the proper clearances through frogs and guards on the turnouts.

 

[4077hawkeyepierce]

Wow, I guess I have more research to do. I haven't even heard of Proto 87 before. I am just getting into this hobby as a lifelong train lover.

Thanks for all the info!

Hawkeye

 

[Selector]

Proto 87, including a company by that name, sells true scale HO items, and it can be pricey. It means engines and cars will have to have very thin profile tires with very small flanges to be true to scale, and not the familiar RP-25 profile suggested by the NMRA which we see typically in hobby shops with the wider tires and deeper flanges. Atlas, Peco, and other turnouts in non-proto, but NMRA compliant, will only run the wider tires with the thicker and deeper flanges that one sees on Atlas, Athearn, Kato, and steamer locomotives and rolling stock.

 

[trailrider]

I think you will find that Proto87 equipment and track will require a fair amount more care in track laying and alignment, and may be more prone to derailments than the more common HO track, locomotives and rolling stock. Also Proto87 equipment may be harder to come by and be more expensive than regular HO. For many of us, Code 100 (.100" high rails) suffice, although slightly higher than all but the heaviest prototype rails ever use in North America. For those who haven't been in the hobby long, many are going to Code 87 (.087" high) track, although some will go as small as Code 77 or even Code 55 on branch lines or narrow gage track. Most folks will go with Code 100 or 87 for mainline track. I have stayed with Code 100 becaue I'm still using track from my previous layouts, some dating back 57 years or so! (Yeah, I've even salvaged some of my brass Code 100 with fiber ties for use on sidings!) I've got a bit of Code 87 on my turntable and the leads thereto. But mostly Code 100. RP-25 wheel contours work fine on either, and I have few derailments.

 

[deanej]

Hawkeye, it's very unlikely you'll choose to become involved with Proto 87 in the near future. I've been in model railroading off and on for more than 50 years and I've never even seen any Proto 87 other than in some pictures.

I don't know if one might call it a niche market or not, but it's certainly a specialized area. Gorgeous stuff from the photos I've seen, but definitely not mainstream for someone who refers to their status as a "newbie".

By the way, welcome to the hobby and the forum. I'm impressed with the excellent quality of the help and advice I see members of the forum giving "newbies". Even the most basic questions are treated with respect and receive thorough answers.

After a 10 year hiatus from the hobby, I found upon my return that things had changed so much that I was a "newbie" once again. I've had to ask a lot of questions.

 

[4077hawkeyepierce]

Thanks everybody, that helps a lot. Yeah, deanej, people are great here. I have loved trains for ever but never have had a model set. It really helps when people are nice and understanding that they very well had the same(lack) of knowledge at one time like myself.

Thanks again everybody!