I would like buy Peco flextrack for my layout. Which type approaches the best American track? Bullhead or flat bottom track?
Paul
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Bullhead rail was only used in the UK; flat bottom is the correct type for American rail. Note that bullhead rail can handle larger wheel flanges (I use it to also run tinplate trains), but for a 2-rail scale layout that should not be necessary.
Regards
Fred
It was interesting to note, when W&LE, Wheeling and Lake Erie, re-built a spur line to the Westland Marcellous Shale Gas Collection site, the rail was old. 1966, I was still in high school, rail last a long time.
"rails last a long time."
Yeah, I have a section of rail that's dated " 1876, troy steel, A&RI&S Co." It came from the Visalia Electric which was built around 1900, and was said to have originally been installed on the SP donner line then pulled out to be used on the VE...........DaveB
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Hi Paul
You are looking for code 143 flat-bottom, part number for Peco flex track is SL-700FB - the 'FB' on the end is the most important spotting feature because Peco's code 124 bullhead-in-chairs flex has a very similar code, SL-700BH....could be easy to order the wrong stuff by mistake.
Regards
Paul
Gotta love the forum; a member from Belgium asks a question and gets an answer from New Zeland.
Paul
thank you for the info, but I believe Peco makes only the flex track in FB and not the switches, I believe these come only in bullhead.
Carl, that's the way the world operates today 
Paul
On the Peco website the flat bottom switches are also shown: SL-E792FB and SL-E791FB.
Regards
Fred
That's correct, code 143 is very limited in its choice of switches, medium LH and RH only. However, its not as difficult to build your own as you might think. I've never even needed those fancy aluminium jigs, I just glue a paper template to a piece of softboard and hold the ties down with pins; track gauges are a must, of course.
I enjoy meeting the international community you find on these forums - just goes to show that model railroading is a universal hobby. If you want to muse over a real mystery, try to figure out how a guy in New Zealand came to have a passion for steam-era NYC AND whats more, is modelling in O-scale!
Regards
Paul
Whangarei, NZ
Its funny but 3rail does run fine on Peco bullnose rail, I was very surprised when I discovered that. I use it where its not seen, in conjunction with my hand laid code 125 track. Stephen Australia (cTr...Choose the Right)
