Testing Peco Code 70 Track

[Keith Addenbrooke]

I don't think this has been covered in detail so I hope this is OK - my apologies if I've missed an earlier analysis.

 

My plans for American HO had included a compromise choice to use up some Peco Code 100 Streamline track I have.  When painted and ballasted I figured it wouldn't look too bad (the Code 80 on my H0e / HOn30 mini-layout looks OK to me).

 

That was until I took this 'end on' photo for my own American modelling thread:

 

 

I haven't been able to unsee the width of the rails!  My local specialist model shop were happy to let me compare unboxed Code 70 and Code 83 Peco flextrack alongside some Code 100 (we included Code 75 as well).  For the kind of lines I'm looking at Code 70 is appropriate, and looked the part, so I bought some to try.  For anyone who's not yet seen it, this is what I've learned.

 

First off, a much happier end on view:

 

 

Comparing the Code 70 to my Code 100 shows just how much of a difference there is:

 

 

 

Comparing a #6 switch (bottom) with a long radius Code 100 point (top) - note the Code 70 switch has a continuous switchblade.  It's spiked about as far as the hinge in the other point, with the rest to the turnout free to bend when switched.  I don't know how durable it will prove, but I like the look in close up photos:

 

 

 

Did I encounter any problems?  Just one boxcar needed the Kadee coupler 'brake hose' lifting to clear the switch, but it had slipped.  How about older rolling stock:

 

The horn hook on this older tank car did catch on the switch blade.  I'll be swapping it for a Kadee anyway, but a gondola I have with a shortened hook had no problems:

 

 

 

The only piece of rolling stock which had problems on the straight track was an older B&O hopper - bumping along.  A quick look confirmed it has larger flanges, which was no surprise once I noticed the axles were stamped "Rivarossi" (on the left):

 

 

Replacement wheels should fix this - the trucks look worth keeping: note the separate metal suspension springs - not bad for a model probably dating from the 1970s (or earlier).  None of my US produced rolling stock had problems, including all the Athearn blue box and older Roundhouse kits I have.  Everything glided beautifully along the track and through the switch.

 

The flextrack is a lot less rigid than the Code 100, and there has to be a risk of rails 'springing' out of the spikes if not handled carefully, but overall I was easily convinced by the look and performance of the track (convinced enough to share it here).

 

The only downside: my Fleischmann Epoche 1 German rolling stock won't run on this due to bigger flanges:

 

 

But for American HO I think I'm sold on the product.  Hope this helps, Keith.

 

 

(My apologies for the poor close up photos - I've not found a way of clearly transferring them from my phone to my laptop while shrinking them to a smaller file size.  My thanks to the staff at Hattons of Widnes for their in-store help)

 

Edited November 18, 2023 by Keith Addenbrooke

[newbryford]

I've used Peco 70 Line on my little Bryford County Terminal.  (Link in sig). It is very good looking track. Which reminds me, must get some more recent pics of BCT.

[F-UnitMad]

Lighter rail for a US branch or Short line is always worthwhile, I think. Even the difference between Code 83 & 70 is apparent in your photos, as is the difference berween Codes 125 & 100 on my O scale layout.

PS, Keith, if you wish to dispose of your surplus Code 100*, let me know... 😉

 

*edit - just the plain flextrack, that is. 

Edited November 23, 2023 by F-UnitMad

[Keith Addenbrooke]

1 hour ago, F-UnitMad said:

Lighter rail for a US branch or Short line is always worthwhile, I think. Even the difference between Code 83 & 70 is apparent in your photos, as is the difference berween Codes 125 & 100 on my O scale layout.

PS, Keith, if you wish to dispose of your surplus Code 100*, let me know... 😉

 

*edit - just the plain flextrack, that is. 

 

Thanks.  Just to clarify in case I've misread your post, my photos compare Code 70 with Code 100.  I don't have any Code 83 (I had some a while back I got from @F-UnitMad but it has since been passed on to another RMwebber).  

 

Afraid I don't have any surplus good Code 100 now, the bits I've kept have previously been cut and pinned in an unfinished layout from way back, sorry.  Keith.

[F-UnitMad]

42 minutes ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:

 

Thanks.  Just to clarify in case I've misread your post, my photos compare Code 70 with Code 100.  I don't have any Code 83 (I had some a while back I got from @F-UnitMad but it has since been passed on to another RMwebber).  

 

Afraid I don't have any surplus good Code 100 now, the bits I've kept have previously been cut and pinned in an unfinished layout from way back, sorry.  Keith.

Yes, I realised after posting that the comparison pics were code 70 vs 100. 👍 & yes it was me you had the code 83 from 😉

 

I just wondered if you had any code 100 surplus as I have another little O Scale idea brewing slowly at the back of my mind which will need more code 100 rail, which I don't have.

No probs that you don't have any surplus now. 👌