Illus said:
So you are saying that Code 83 is .083 TAll measured from the top of the tie? And Code 100 is .100" tall? So there is a .017" difference?
I was wondering the same thing, because the guy I got my stuff from had both kinds of track.
That is correct. Model rail is made ina variety of sizes to better replicate prototype rail which also came in a variety of sizes. In HO, the chart looks something like this:
code 40 = 40 lb rail
code 55 = 75 lb rail
code 70 = 110 lb rail
code 83 = 132 lb rail
code 100 = oversize for all but 152 lb used only on the PRR in a view places
Note this only scales by height. Model rail tends to be a little oversize on the width of the head; some makes more than others. Model rail is quite oversize on the width of the rail web to provide the required strength, and provide enough thickness for reasonable ease of manufacturing.
Track is available from Atlas in both code 83 and code 100. Walters makes code 83. Shinohara makes code 70. Micro Engineering makes track in code 55, 70, and 83.
my thoughts, your choices