Hi All,

Does anyone know what a standard 'Code 100' track is? Is it a Marklin track or does it belong to a another manfacturer?

Cheers,
Ranjit

Wrong...!

Marklins K-track is far bigger than code 100.

Code 100 is 2,5 mm of the height.

K-track has at least 2,7 mm in the height.

C-track has code 90 and it´s 2,3 mm in the height.

Besides,you must measurments of the thick too on the rail...!

K-tracks is too thick...!

Peco has code 100.
Fleischmann too...

Tillig Elite has code 83.
Roco too...

Peco has code 75.
Also in code 83,but in american style...

The list is so long,that it takes a time to presentation all of them...!

Thanks for that very quick detailed info, Goofy. I still have to wait and see what Ray says.

What about 'Code 100' tracks from Atlas, Bachmann, and AHM? Are these compatible to Marklin 'K' or 'M' tracks?

Cheers,
Ranjit

The code 100 was standard rail track such as Atlas and Most are British modeller Hornby, Peco setrack and streamline.

The code 75 are finescale such as Peco streamline, etc.

Most 2-rails train set have code 100 tracks.

It is my understanding that the code number is the height of the rail in thousandsth of an inch.

Therefore, code 90 = 0.09 inches = 2.286mm.

and code 100 = 0.1 inches = 2.54mm.

Is this right?

Ray

Hi there,
interesting topic, thanks.
Actually, I would have few questions about Peco tracks:
1) Apart from dimensions (track height, thickness etc.), which are the differences between the three series of Peco tracks code 100 - streamline; code 100 - setrack; code 75 finescale - streamline?
2) Are all three suitable for a German-style layout?
3) What does the word "finescale" stand for? Is this type of track somehow more detailed than the others?
4) Eventually, could they all be fitted with Herei Studs?

Thanks a lot,

hasan

Peco track is engineered to British Railroad standards.

Fine scale = prototypical or "almost prototypical" size ,
Prototypical size = exact 1:87 scale rails.....but you also need finescale wheels & trucks for all your wagons, coaches & locomotives .You need to build a" fine scale" layout too : you need room & space . 250/300 cm radius curve is bare minimum radius mandatory .
In HO & N scale it is impossible to make pure 1:87 scale wheels ( flanges ).Exact 1:87 wheels are very hard to roll. But it is possible to make wheels close to 1:87 scale


"Fine scale " is an overused word . ( my dictionnary says :"Hacknayed expression" ).

Most of TRUE Finescale enthusiasts are doing their track themselves ( mounting rails and sleepers etc...) .Most of the time they also have to change all wheels , if they buy from industrials manufacturers .Or they buy handycraft special models ( more expensive )
Industrial manufacturers don't do TRUE finescale tracks . One manufacturer is doing something close to Finescale track : TILLIG .

It is a matter of standards & norms... and there are a lot of norms ! ( see also American norms from NMRA )
If you have Marklin locomotives & wagons ( or Fleischmann , Hag ,Roco , Brawa eetc...ect..) you have to buy between 1:75 & 1:100 code or K track
The best compromise are probably 1:83 code and 1:90 code .Don't go below 1:83 code .( excepted if you want to make "finescale"...)
Modern and current Marklin items can roll on Peco 1:75 code . But old Marklin items cannot roll on 1:75 code Peco .( be careful with Fleischmann & Hag too)
About Geometry of the track ( sleepers , turnouts ,etc....)if you like to be close from a German style layout you'd better buy track from a German manufacturers making German models...
It's up to you . It's also a matter of taste . Many people don't even notice the difference between a Peco code 100 and Trix code 100...
one of the main advantage of K tracks is : you can roll both current and old/very old Marklin items

PS Summarized from Wik. about Peco streamlined ( it is the name of the range ):
Compared to normal range , the Streamlined range includes a wider variety of points and crossings, at different radii. Most of these are available with 'live' (metal) or insulating (plastic) frogs. The "Electrofrog" points require more complex wiring, to avoid short-circuits .( Only for two rails track : Awful wiring on each turnout )
'Code 100' rail is the original type, and is designed for older ready-to-run models. 'Code 83' is designed to be compatible with North American track systems. PECO said : 'Code 75' is designed for 'fine-scale' models, with smaller wheel flanges, to give a more-scale appearance
( but it is not TRUE Fine scale )

Thank you guys for all the precious information: for the time being is more than enough!
I will ask your advices in case I need to take "important" decisions...
Cheers,
hasan