And those are for the modern era. Most old-time modellers probably don't use correct-size rail - Code 40 would be appropriate for a 19th-century mainline.Code 83 is closer to the correct size for class 1 mainline track. If you want realistic sizes for industrial sidings, you need to go down to code 70 or even code 55.
Triplex said:And those are for the modern era. Most old-time modellers probably don't use correct-size rail - Code 40 would be appropriate for a 19th-century mainline.
I'm not an old-time modeller - I'm not even in HO anymore - but I always remember that there are modellers with other interests than mine. Anyway, I do have a personal interest in small rail because it's useful in smaller scales.Did you ever try to work with Code 40 flextack? I had some HOn3 that Railcraft(?) made years ago and it was frustrating. It's so fragile and hard to curve smoothly that I gave up on it. Looked good, but I'm not into surgical cow milking. I seem to recall that some loco flanges hit the tiny spike heads. Although I model early 1900s, I'm using code 70 for my mainline and 55 for sidings and branchline.