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What is the difference between code 100 and code 75 track?

There have been many fantastic advances in the world of model railways in the last twenty years. One of these is the ability of manufacturers to create more aspects of our model world to a more accurate scale.
The height of the rails on model railway track has historically always been a bit of a compromise between realism and functionality. The successful production of smaller but competent wheel flanges on rolling stock has led to it also being possible to produce a track that fits closer to scale.
The height of the rail is described as "code" and the size in thousands of an inch.
In OO gauge, code 100 track is the original with a rail height of 0.1 inches. Although this has worked just fine in the past, the newer code 75 track with a rail height of just 0.075 inches is aesthetically much more appealing.
There is still compromise involved. Code 75 track under certain circumstances will not have the durability of its predecessor especially around the joins in a baseboard, but this is something to be considered only if a significant amount of movement is to be expected between baseboard sections and will likely affect only very few of us. The other thing to consider is whether you will be operating any rolling stock with deeper wheel flanges. These were usually manufactured (or designed) before the mid-1990s and will probably not run smoothly on code 75 track.
If you want the best of both world then you could always consider re-wheeling your rolling stock but it is best to check that you can get the appropriate wheels for all of your rolling stock before making a decision on which OO gauge track to use.
Posted in: Model Railway, Tracks

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