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Can You Mix Brands of Track and Turnouts?
Tonif models HO and has this question for readers:
“I’d like to use curved turnouts to save space on my layout. I have Micro engineering flex track but they don’t make curved turnouts. Can I use Atlas or Peco turnouts or will that cause problems? Thanks.”
7 Responses to Can You Mix Brands of Track and Turnouts?
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A qualified “yes”. You can mix almost any brand with another without problems IF you can align the top and insides of the track at the change point. All manufacturers have to gauge their track to the same gauge standard. (In the USA that is set by NMRA.) Ideally, you would want to match the code rating, if possible. Code 100 and code 83 rails are of different heights, and slightly different rail thickness. But if you match and secure the rails so that the insides and tops of the rails align, it will still work. If you mix different brands of the same code, you might still find differences in the thickness of the ties; but again, if you are careful to match up the top and inside surfaces of each rail, you’re good to go. If you’re using metal rail joiners, you might have to pinch or bend them a bit and then solder them to keep things lined up. Some manufacturers make code 100 to code 83 transition joiners; others make a short section of code 100 to code 83 transition track.
Thanks for the info, Randall, and the clear explanation!
I wouldn’t recommend it. Each joint between varying manufactures is a potential trouble point. While they may all be the same code they will have slightly different dimensions. If you are using code 83 Peco is the closest to the same dimension as MicroEngineering. They are all the same height but all the other dimension (base width, head width and tie thickness are different) Stay away from Atlas in your case, there is15 thousands difference in the head width compared to 4 thousands with Peco. If you are using MicroEngineering flex track you are better off to build your own curved turnouts using their rail. You may have to shim for height at the joints due to tie thickness variation in the ties but that is a lot easier than trying to get the inside of the rails to match up.
Thanks for the heads up, Bill. I am definitely leaning towards Peco.
I use Walthers code 83 turnouts with Micro Engineering track. A bit pricey but no problems. Older ones aren’t DC compatible but can be modified. Check with eBay for bargins.
Walthers is spency, I see. Thanks for the information. I definitely have to start looking for stuff on eBay
Try Hornby curved points they work well on my lay out