bxmoore Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Code 100 looks seriously BIG in comparison to Code 83, and is UK outline. I'd definitely go for code 83. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parthia27 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Hi all Planing a new switching layout and thinking of using peco code 83 track,instead of my usual code 100 has anyone got any feedback good or bad Going to glasgow show friday,thought if there was any good deals on code 83 would pick some up Would like to use the no 8 points but i think they will be a bit big,has anyone used the no 5 with success, i like to get things in store well in advance,so they will be there when i'm ready to start the project cheers Ray from deepest west cumbria I have used it on my current shunting plank and have been very impressed. The flexible track is easy to work with and the spike detail is pretty good. The modified insulfrog turnouts I use work very well (I have electrically bonded the stock and switching rails on each turnout). I also run stock with both normal and semi-scale wheelsets with no problems. IMHO if you can get away with using #6 turnouts they do look better, though #5s are great fine if space is limited. Finally as stated above it is relatively easy to get hold of. Cheers Chris M Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 21, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2012 Compared to code 100 its head and shoulders above. I know what you mean! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Another vote for code 83 here. The tie sizes and spacing make a huge difference visually. We've used it on Menasha with great success - #6s on the main, #5 in the yard. I have recently come across a couple of Intermountain hoppers that object to the #5s - the wheels catch on the hopper bottom. Everything else negotiates them without problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 It's a teensy bit more delicate than the usual Code 100 suspects, especially the wooden-tie flexitrack, where the spikes are extremely fine mouldings, but handle it with care and it's great - definitely has a completely different 'look' to it than UK/EU-outline track, as you'd expect. There are also some slight accuracy issues with the turnouts, I seem to recall, but I suppose it depends on just how pedantic about track accuracy one is whether it offends or not.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeaky Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've used Peco 83 on my shunting plank, except for the short diamond crossing which is a peco 75 but you cant notice it too much. In code 83 Peco only did the long crossing and there is also a 90 degree crossing but neither of these was right for my plan. The track itself looks good and is easy to use and is very DCC freindly, I've used No.6 turnouts with electrofrogs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Peco are trying to flog it over here in the USA - their problem is that a comparable turnout to the ME code 83 #6 ends up being twice the price......... Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted February 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2012 Ray I used the code 83 track on 'roundhouse' and after six years of exhibitions it's still as good as new and to me it looks far better than the Peco code 100 or code 75 on a USA layout. Just wish it had been available when I built Fort Myers. One mll issue is that the blade tie bar doesn't have the standard lug to attach a Peco surface mount solenoid base to it as I found out when I decided to try and motorise the hand operated turnout in the fiddle yard. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arran Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Hi all Planing a new switching layout and thinking of using peco code 83 track,instead of my usual code 100 has anyone got any feedback good or bad Going to glasgow show friday,thought if there was any good deals on code 83 would pick some up Would like to use the no 8 points but i think they will be a bit big,has anyone used the no 5 with success, i like to get things in store well in advance,so they will be there when i'm ready to start the project cheers Ray from deepest west cumbria HI Ray Peco will be at Modelrail Scotland and i do know Bob the track designer will be there, so he's the man to question as well as Steve. Regards Arran Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 We use it on RS Tower and our modules, excepting a couple of locations (a custom built diamond, and some Shinohara/Walthers 3-way/scissors) although we did staging in c75 as it's a bit cheaper and when we started building it c83 curved points were not available which we needed. It is a little more fragile than c100 although nice and solid once it's installed It looks pretty good Hardwiring the points I think is a must. We've had no problems with stock compatibility, most of ours are #5 in the yard, #6 elsewhere, but we have a pair of the #8s as a main line crossover, which looks superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I wouldn't recommend going lower than a #6... in fact, I'd go for less track and the biggest turnouts you can manage. #8s all the way. It will pay dividends in happy rolling stock operating smoothly and visual realism. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Old Gringo already started a thread on Peco Code 83 a while ago: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37644-peco-code-83-track/ Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Even shortlines in the USA don't specify new turnouts of less than #8's See: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/30253-us-shortline-track-specs-current/ Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crewe North Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Oh heck!!....looks like I'm in the minority as my new plank that I'm working on (NY terminal freight yard ,a variation on on Shortliner Jack's 'Box Street' ..... and some where to run me boxcab on at last ) uses Peco code 75. I have used code 83 in the past but thought 75 was more appropriate for a decrepit back street yard.........stock runs on it absolutely brillo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 For a decrepit back-street yard - code 75 will be fine but some older stock may need wheels with smaller flanges - Heck every layout I've built runs on code 100! Post Pictures, Please! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Peco code 83 next to code 75 ..... I shall let you guys figure out which is which ..? Regards Trevor ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Interesting to read this thread alongside the latest on Peco Code 83. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Cheers guys for all the feedback will have to re-measure for #8's there over 12",would love to use them,can live with #6 at 9" will play about with my track plan next up insulfrog or electrofrog not thinking of using point motors, maybe bike spokes or something like that, trying to keep the wiring to a minimum there's only going to be 4 points max,not even a runround!! Ray from deepest west cumbria Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Ray - may see you at Glasgow on Friday. Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Long Island Jack, use caboose industries ground throws or similar to throw the switches, helps add to the ambience. You can be the brakie walking alongside the train throwing the swiches while the hogger keeps nice and warm and dry in the cab Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 22, 2012 Is Peco code 83 compatable with Tillig Elite which is also code 83 but not necessarily the same rail height above the roadbed? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Jack coming to glasgow with SWMBO on the 9.22 of carlisle,will point the wife towards the shops (not a good idea),be in exhibition about 12-ish,might bump into you, there won't be that many people there, will there!!!!!!!! Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 If there aren't Phil H won't be happy! - Don't forget there are two halls this year - I usually get there about 1045, and there is a queue halfway round the district! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridwatcher Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Code 83 is great stuff and Peco's site has lovely PDF files that you can print off exact sized paper switches so you can play around with scale sized planning. The Message about number 8s is well made. Keep to those on the main lines and loops etc, only go tighter on shunting planks etc IMHO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouse2037 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've used Code 83 on my APA box switching short line. Both the flextrack and the turnouts look great I think and would not use anything else now! The turnouts were about £16 each but worth it for the detail and smooth movement. Cheers Roger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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