Best rail joiners for code 83 track

[dtinut]

Hi All,

Curious what everyone likes in regards to rail joiners for code 83 track.

I have a lot of track from various sources for the layout I am building.
Atlas code 83 flex track and super turnouts 505/506, and some of their code 83 diamonds.
Roco code 83 (same as Atlas),
Micro Engineering code 83 rail - used for building custom turnouts using Fasttracks tools/jigs.
Walthers turnouts,
Railcraft flex,
etc...

I have used ME rail joiners - but they are quite difficult to install (too tight IMHO)
I bought some Peco rail joiners - but they are also very tight/don't fit track other than Peco, which I really don't have any Peco track/TO's.
I have bought various rail joiners which are really old, but they all seem to be too tight to Atlas track which is what I need to connect to most of the time.

I am not really impressed with the Atlas rail joiners - but they work...

Has anyone used the new WKW 83/100 joiners? WKW PN#: 948-83102

Thanks for your input

[Colin 't Hart]

MicroEngineering rail joiners are much shorter than the Peco, and look much better, IMHO.

[riogrande]

I haven't tried ME joiners. My main line is Peco code 83 and I'm using Peco joiners. I have a lot of leftover Atlas code 83 and I bought a bunch of Atlas code 83 joiners back before they were discontinued and using them. For my staging which is code 100, I'm using the Atlas code 100 joiners.

[blhs569]

I'm finally laying down some track on the new layout. I have a stockpile of Atlas code 83 flex track and Peco code 83 turnouts. I trying the Atlas N scale code 80 rail joiners. They are much easier to get on the Peco turnout, but with some finagling and the use of the Atlas joiner push tool they can be placed onto the code 83 Atlas flex track. With practice I'm getting quicker at it. They do have a much smaller profile than the HO scale version so they are less conspicuous. I think better electrical connection due to the more snug fit.  

[wp8thsub]

I primarily use Atlas N scale code 80 joiners. For some types or rail (Atlas 83 and maybe others) it helps to either file the base of the rail a bit or pry the end of the joiner open slightly wider.

JC Turnouts 3 by wp8thsub, on Flickr

As shown here, they pretty well disappear after painting and ballasting.

[edwardsutorik]

Micro Engineering Code 83 has a cross-section closer to scale than Atlas and Walthers, and perhaps others. So a rail joiner that works on the former will likely be too tight for the latter. And one that works on the latter will be loose on the former.


I haven't measured Peco rail to see where it fits in for the above.


The M E rail is a scale cross-section, except for a thicker web.



Ed

[cera2254]

WP8thsub I’ve probably asked before but what did you use to paint your track?

[nsc39d8]

lI very rarely use rail joiners. Most of my track is ME Code 83 with some 70 and C55 for the programming track. Most of my turnouts are being switched to Peco because of the heavy spring to keep them in place.
Turnouts are a variety from Walther Atlas, ME and Peco. Those requiring a throw have Fast Tracks Bullfrogs. I have mainly gone to hand thrown turnouts lately and find the Peco more robust.

With the rigidness of the ME track unless it is a curve or somewhere the track will just not stay level and in place I use rail joiners from ME for C83. Most are cut in half to reduce the visibility. I have spread them
to accept Peco and Atlas rail where needed. I do not have any of the new Walthers track. The ME rail joiners will not fit the old Shinohara/Walthers track. I do have some curves with elevated track and used the
Precision Scale elevated track for these curves. The PSC track is very nice as well.

[cera2254]

Peco flex is the best in my opinion. It’s a middle ground between the rigid ME and the floppy Atlas flex. Not to mention you don’t have to remove ties to join sections together.