Peco's Code 83 HO track is now in the shops. The new range is aimed at US modellers and comes in distinctive red blister packs that won't easily be confused with Peco's existing ranges. Both electrofrog and insulfrog versions are available - naturally I avoided the insulfrogs like the plague.
The #6 turnout, to use the American terminology, is shown underneath a code 75 medium radius point which many modellers will be familiar with. The #6s are certainly closer to medium radius than large, although not an exact match.
The most obvious visual differences are metal check rails, extended timbering where a switch-stand would fit on the prototype, and the much smaller ties (sleepers) compared to the code 75 and code 100 ranges. By design, these products are even less like UK trackwork than ever, the tiny sleepers alone render them completely unsuitable, but Peco haven't produced this US trackwork for modellers of the UK scene.
The wire from the frog is now longer, making it easier to drop it through a hole in the baseboard and solder a feed to it. The related jumpers are now more exposed, making their removal easier if you want to switch the frog polarity. A couple of welcome design improvements.
The existing Peco code 75 range has a major design defect in that there's nothing to stop the cover over the centring spring from sliding backwards, after just two or three years of use mine are failing left, right and centre. This has changed with the new code 83 range and it doesn't look like the cover could work loose at all - this is a major plus point.
There's a flaw to this arrangement, unfortunately, as the retaining plate is underneath the point and you won't be able to get at it once the track is laid and ballasted. It seems you need to pray that you'll never need to replace the spring! Users of Tortoise or similar motors will presumably want to remove this item before laying the track.
There is a substantial chunk of plastic between the rails in the frog area, no doubt to enhance the smooth ride of RP25 wheelsets, but old steamroller wheels with deep flanges object violently to this arrangement. But then I object violently to old steamroller wheels, so I'm not going to lose much sleep over this...
Currently On My Stereo: Marillion - Marbles