Micro Engineering? Peco? Handlaying track?
Is anyone using HO track--in a manner similar to this gentleman?
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/ho_track/
Jeff C
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When I first started trying to do On30, I used Micro Engineering HO track with about 20% of the ties removed and the rest spread out. Since the narrow gauge track I had seen was California logging railroads the ties were mostly buried in the dirt or roadbed so it looked fine to me. I was using Athearn HO trucks, which were pretty well hidden under the cars. I never got to the engine but had planned to use the techniques I had read about in the Railroad Model Craftsmen in the early 1970's. HO mechanisms with O scale cabs and so on. For turnouts, I was using Atlas #4's with some of the ties trimmed to give the wider tie spacing.
That was well before Peco and ME offered their On30 track.
Greg
I also used HO flex track. I removed every other tie. It's not great IMO, both from the standpoint of tie spacing and tie length, but good enough to give a backwoods feel. Next time I'll probably go for either ME or Peco. 
Jim
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I have used code 100 Peco turn outs and code 100 M E track. I like the Peco turnouts because they are power routing. I have not bought any track for a few years, so maybe ME has started producing Code 100 turn outs, if so check them out.
Al
In the past, I have used Atlas HO Code 100, and still have some that I'll likely use on my next On30 pike. I also have most of a box--minus a section or two--of the Peco On30 flex track, but I'll probably sell that at some point.
I'm leaning toward ME code 83. I can use their turnouts in most spots--I will have to build a few curved turnouts.
Any impressions of ME turnouts?
Jeff C
IMO, the choice lies in your prototype. If your setting is European than close tied Peco is the natural. If Western US prototype then ME would be most in favor if appearance is important.
For 0n30 buy your track made on the continent of your model trains.
As far as code goes, 83 would look best. However, being the average half blind club fisted code 148 0 scaler I used code 100 ME.
There was a reason I left HO! Too small is just too small.
Kinda funny comment I got from my wife awhile ago. We got married when I was in #1 scale and 1 1/2" scale then I switched to 0w5 nineteen years ago. When she saw her first HO model train she asked "What is that?" When I explained it she responded with "Why even bother?"
Not sure of what her response will be with N or Z. tt
Jim, I thought you were getting close to retirement and waiting for you come to Missouri and see your daughter.
Al
Originally Posted by AL CLAIR:
Jim, I thought you were getting close to retirement and waiting for you come to Missouri and see your daughter.
Al
Al,
With each new morning, I get closer to retirement, but I am still a couple of years away, by contract with the university. My daughter gets her PhD in May from Mizzou. Unfortunately, her graduation and our graduation are the same day ... according to my boss, I get to stay in Tampa. Such is life ... I'll get out there yet, so we can share some stories,
Jim
I'm probably going to use Kato Unitrack in most areas, at least initially. I'll ballast and blend in the Unitrack into the scenery (probably in a limited area as a test) and make a judgment as to whether I like it or not.It's a small layout, so I can make changes easily.
Jeff C
Jeff, it sounds like a good plan to me.
Al
I'm using ME On30 flex in code 83 with hand built switches. Next I plan to hand lay all of it
Nate
I to am very intrested in ON30 track choices? If code 83 was the most accurate for standared gauge HO. Then wouldn't code 100 look better for O scale Or O Narrow gauge? Gargraves ties also look great as trestle ties on ON30.
Code 100 rail, in O Scale, is about 70 lb rail. Pretty heavy duty on most narrow gauge lines. The D&RGW had 75 lb on the heavily traveled routes.
ChipR
Thanks Chip.I guess I want to stick with code 100 because I might want to add some peco track to the layout. It seems its only available in code 100
Since I first posted this a couple of years ago, I have added a yard and engine facility and started replacing all of the Peco track with Micro Engineering Code 83 On30 track. The ties and spacing are correct for American prototype and I am happy with the result. Only 1 year to retirement and the new J&RG.
These are all very good tips. Things I'll take in concideration when I build my ON30 layout.
www.custmtrax.com hands down. I am surprised so few people are aware of their track.
Jonathan,
Have track from Custom Trax and just received my switches that I ordered. Nice track/switches.
Bruce
Have track from Custom Trax and just received my switches that I ordered. Nice track/switches.
Bruce
I had never heard of this firm so I immediately checked their site. In my opinion it is poorly set up. There are no details about the various scales. It does not have any photos of the 0n30 track products, such as tie size and spacing and what overall appearance you will get after installation.
It was, to me, a turnoff. It is no longer under consideration as an addition to my present trackage.
Tony
Google is your friend... I instantly found about a dozen images. You might not want to be so rigid in your thinking.
Found at http://on30insider.com/blog/2011/07/20/1440/
Sorry to have to disagree with you Jonathan.
When I visit a site which purports to sell trackage products I expect the site to show examples of their product line. Why go to all the trouble to set up the site and, in effect, force a potential customer to leave that site and search the internet to find examples of their product? It would seem to be a waste of time for both the site owner and potential customers.
I am flexible, but there are limits to my desire to waste time searching for something that should be in the manufacturers website.
By the way, beautiful track! I am still interested, but the site is still a turnoff.
Tony
Originally Posted by tonyh:
Sorry to have to disagree with you Jonathan.
When I visit a site which purports to sell trackage products I expect the site to show examples of their product line. Why go to all the trouble to set up the site and, in effect, force a potential customer to leave that site and search the internet to find examples of their product? It would seem to be a waste of time for both the site owner and potential customers.
I am flexible, but there are limits to my desire to waste time searching for something that should be in the manufacturers website.
By the way, beautiful track! I am still interested, but the site is still a turnoff.
Tony
I certainly understand what you are saying. He is a one man show though. Very small operation, but with fantastic products. He has expanded from S to HO, On30, and soon Sn3 and On3 I think. With On30 being the niche that it is I wouldn't worry too much about the site. I'd be more concerned with the product. The fact that you can get ready to run ballasted track pre-mounted on roadbed that looks that good is all that matters to me personally. Give him a call. He is a very friendly and helpful guy.
Consider how many problems most companies are having getting their track made overseas in all scales. I think supporting a company like Custom Trax that makes their products here in the US is a wise choice. And again, just look at it...
I dont know If its' just me...? But i find that the Peco track runs the smoothest!. I feel when the Bachmann company first came out with on30 they probably made everything to fit the traditional HO track...no?.I roll my cars on Peco next to M.E. code 83. the code 83 just feels cheap. I think I'm going to put M.E. code 100 on my trestles and Peco on the ground. I saw this guy Richards' pics from Australia on the net and he used Peco code 100 track, and his layout was amaizing! and it looked American.
Jim 193, just want to let you know, you only have 11 months left in the pits. Looking forward to seeing your work once you are able to spend your time on building railroads instead of grading papers.
Hope we can get together some time this year, maybe at K.C. ?
Al (GRAND DADDY)
By the way Jim, I am doing Tin Plate now and have some pictures by the help of James, my live steamer buddy. You can go to the Tin Plate Forum to see them, Be careful, Tin PLate can be addictive.
Al
HEY JEFF,
There is no HO track more realistic than ATLAS flex, which lends itself nicely to narrow-gauge with simple modifications.
All Atlas outstanding shares were recently bought up by Karl Malden Enterprises, which has placed a media ban on rumors of a hostile takeover.
Rip Track
I like that CustomTrax......thanks for the info.
Originally Posted by jonnyspeed:
www.custmtrax.com hands down. I am surprised so few people are aware of their track.
Jonathan, have you used this track. We are in planning stage of our new layout and I was planning on having a On30 line with our two 3 rail lines. We are looking at about a 4 by 7 ft area for the On30. I like what I see on their site, looks pretty simple and easy to use. This would be our 1st try with On30 stuff so looking at all options, I also like the 009 size that uses N scale (I just learned of this scale). Thanks for the link. Nick
Old thread, I know but relevant to question:
I don't have any tack for narrow gauge. Just starting.
ME Code 83 On30 flex track is not available and the website looks like they may not even be in business any longer.
I can find ME Code 83 HO flex track. I have ME Code 83 On30 #5 turnouts to match up with the track. How different is Code 83 On30 flex track from Code 83 HO flex track?
Thanks,
John
@Craftech posted:I can find ME Code 83 HO flex track. I have ME Code 83 On30 #5 turnouts to match up with the track. How different is Code 83 On30 flex track from Code 83 HO flex track?
Thanks,
John
The size and spacing of the ties.
Rusty
@Rusty Traque posted:The size and spacing of the ties.
Rusty
I thought that was the difference between Code 100 HO and Code 83 On30?
This is Code 83 HO
@Craftech posted:I thought that was the difference between Code 100 HO and Code 83 On30?
This is Code 83 HO
Code 83 rail is code 83 regardless of what scale it is used on.
Code 100 (.100") rail is essentially taller. ME uses the same rail for code 83 (.083") standard gauge HO and O scale On30 track.
Rusty
Remember, HO is 1:87 scale, and O is 1:48. Code 83 rail represents much bigger rail in HO than in O. In HO, code 83 would be 7.2 inches tall, in O it would be 3.9 inches tall.
If you are modeling in O, as in ON30, the lumber, the people the buildings are all O scale 1:48 (we hope). So the size of the ties generally are going to be bigger for ON30 than for HO. Unless it is a very rustic logging line or mine, I think HO ties are going to represent something way too small in O.
Thanks guys, that clears it up.
So what should I buy? ME Code 83 On30 flex track is unavailable. Again, my switches are ME Code 83 On30 #5.
Thanks,
John
I am getting nowhere finding suitable track. I can pre-order the ME code 83 from MicroMark assuming it ever gets delivered (December 2022).
John
I used code 83 rail On my On30 and just hand spiked it on wood ties, Ended up looking a lot better than the Plastic tie flex track ,
@Rusty Traque posted:Code 83 rail is code 83 regardless of what scale it is used on.
Code 100 (.100") rail is essentially taller. ME uses the same rail for code 83 (.083") standard gauge HO and O scale On30 track.
Rusty
Using HO flex track either code 100 or 83 , the size of the ties as well as the spacing is totally wrong .
@Dave Koehler posted:Using HO flex track either code 100 or 83 , the size of the ties as well as the spacing is totally wrong .
I was clarifying the point that rail code remains the same regardless of the scale modeled.
Rusty
So from what I am gathering I should pre-order it and hope for the best?
Thanks,
John
I’m just getting started in on30 and I’m not sure what code of track to buy. My layout is 6 feet width by 14 feet length. I’m looking at Bachmann Ez track because their track is code 100. I want to go with a few turnouts. Does Bachmann track come as manual turnouts? Also, is Bachmann track reliable for everyday running trains? I have o scale buildings I want to use. Does that work with on30 trains?
The Bachmann track is HO the ties are too small too close together and the rail too heavy (Code 100) Micro Engineering makes code 83 On30 flex track, its ok. Ties are a bit far apart and of course plastic, My former layout was hand layed on wood ties some make of twigs as the prototype, I followed used small trees right from the forest. I used code 55 and code 83. and no they did not use creosote to treat them just raw wood weathered.
I used Micro Engineering 0N30 Code 83 flex track and turnouts on my 0N30 layout. Both work well.
I can't help you on B'mann EZ track/turnouts - know nothing about it. Suggest you try their web site to see if they have turnouts.
You can use O scale buildings with 0N30 trains - same scale.
HTH,
It appears Bachmann doesn't offer manual EZ Track turnouts.
Peco also makes On30 track. A Google search will turn up dealers in the US that handle it.
Rusty
While the track gauge is teh same with ON30 and HO, the ties should be bigger and wider apart. HO is close to 1/8 inch to the foot. ON30 is O Scale at 1/4 inch to the foot. Ties in O scale need to be bigger. Also a fried tried using HO switches on an ON30 layout and some of the locos his the switch stands. Narrow guage stuff has a wider overhang.
@Prairie Land Junction posted:I’m just getting started in on30 and I’m not sure what code of track to buy. My layout is 6 feet width by 14 feet length. I’m looking at Bachmann Ez track because their track is code 100. I want to go with a few turnouts. Does Bachmann track come as manual turnouts? Also, is Bachmann track reliable for everyday running trains? I have o scale buildings I want to use. Does that work with on30 trains?
I used Bachmann EZ track for my small On30 layout - works ok, but I only have shorter locos. The preceding comments about tie size, etc., are correct. AFAIK, Bachmann EZ track only offers remote control switches.
I am using code 83 Micro Engineering track and switches; I am very happy with the result.
My layout is less than 12 inches wide and is 16 feet long so far (will be around a room)
I am building a layout that is O standard and On30. Being a backwoods logging theme I am using code 100 for the standard gauge and code 70 for the narrow gauge, using Fast Tracks jigs for track and switches. My last layout was On30 and I used code 70 HO track salvaged from my previous HO layout with every other tie removed. It looked OK for an eastern narrow gauge logging outfit especially after ballasting. I lost that layout to a house fire but was able to salvage a lot of the track and turnouts.
The current layout uses code 70 ME rail for the On30 track. As I had a lot of perfectly good Lambert and Shinohara turnouts I decided to try and “convert” one to DCC with proper tie size to match the Fast Tracks turnouts and track I already had built. I was especially interested in converting all my curved turnouts as at the time FT did not offer them. I see they now do. It takes a bit longer to do the conversion than to build from scratch so buying a fixture will save time but set you back about $175. I didn’t want to waste the turnouts. Here in pictures is how I did it.
This “tutorial” presumes you have experience in building switches, cutting rail, and soldering and already have all the necessary tools.
Remove the plastic ties in these areas and clean the bottom of the rail to prepare for solder. Keeping the rest of the plastic ties keeps the rail in gauge.
Now solder the PC ties to the rails. I have found it is much easier to gap the ties before you solder them. If you are not familiar with the Fast Tracks system and gaps in the PC ties go to their website and download a template for a switch which clearly shows where the gaps should be. It’s a great idea to check that there is no continuity on either side of the gap with a meter. The tiniest sliver of copper can defeat the gap and cause a short that can take forever to find once the turnout is finished and painted.
In this picture the head block ties and throw bar have been removed. You will need to unsolder the switch points from the metal tabs that hold them to the original throw bar.
The Shinohara point rails are held in place by rail jointers. Sometimes you’ll damage the thin part of the points unsoldering them but it’s easy to make new ones. I solder them to rail joiners for strength. You can see the gaps in the ties.
You will have to cut gaps in the rails to isolate the rails making up the frog. I ALWAYS fill the gaps with thin styrene and a drop of CA adhesive trimmed to rail contour after drying.
Once you have all the PC ties soldered and the gauge checked you can remove the rest of the plastic ties. Now glue the wood ties in place using the Pliobond method. I’ve found it works the best if you heat the rail where it contacts the wooden tie the day after you glued them. Now is the time to check the gauge as the rail can be moved when heating the rail and the glue is soft. Once it cools you’ll have a solid joint. You can always spike the rail to the ties as you lay your switch in place if you like this method. Here’s a picture of a finished, painted and ready to install On30 turnout and its little cousin the HO donor switch.
Peter
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Very nice Peter
thanks for sharing
impressive
Well done !
I ended up using PECO track in the end....
