It has been mentioned before that rail weight really shows up in close-up photography of your layout. It is also proto to use lighter rail for spurs, etc.

Me personally, I am 83 all the way for the sake of simplicity.

If one intends to transition to a lower roadbed height along with the change to lighter rail for branches, sidings and spurs, I think the effect is quite noticeable and realistic in appearance.  Without the change in roadbed maybe not so noticeable to the eye?

I bought rail in codes 70 and 83 so I could build turnouts for mainline and branch/siding use and have stocked up on ME flex track in both codes as well.  I'll make the roadbed transitions from main to branch etc. to go along with the lighter rail.  I'm hoping it will be worth doing.

My previous layouts were all code 100 Atlas track, so for me, just switching to code 83 throughout would look so much better already!

This is another one of those, "it's your railroad" decisions.  Whatever makes you happy is the right thing to do. :o)

Visually, I don't think most visitors will notice the difference at a glance. I don't think there will be a noticable cost difference or an unbearable one. There won't be ANY opperational benefit and with code 70 there shouldn't be any opp deficiency. Mostly I think you need only to ask yourself a couple of questions, first, how prototypical do you want your layout to be (are you a "rivet counter")? And, second, are you willing to go through the effort? As far as I know there are no transition rail joiners, and you will have to account for the rail hieght difference in your roadbed as well as you rail joiners.

If you want to do it I have seen folks place a joiner on the end of their code 83 flatten the protruding end of the joiner with pliers and then solder their code 70 on top of the flattened joiner. Hope this helps.

happy modeling

"As far as I know there are no transition rail joiners, and you will have to account for the rail hieght difference..."

Although I'm unaware of any transition joiners made specifically for changing from code 83 to 70, the Atlas transition joiners intended to go from code 100 to 83 will work just fine.  I use these to transition from 83 to 70, 70 to 55 and even 83 directly to 55.  They are simple to use and maintain alignment once soldered.  The only real trick is to bend the joiner as needed to get the rail heads at the exact same height, which has to be done when transitioning from code 100 to 83 anyway.

David, the folks here have given you some pretty sound advice.

I have a picture here that may help - from front to back, this is c55, c70, c83.

Like they say, there may not be a big visual difference between 70 and 83. Tie spaceing can also help differentiate mainline from sidings, etc.

If it's easier for you and the slight visual difference isn't a deal breaker, you can stick with 83 throughout! 

 A picture REALLY is worth a thousand words. Along with all the other advice I can see that some "trackwork" would be in order. Thinking of using Code 83 but "modifying" the height to the yard and the ties etc. for sidings. I'm not a "rivet counter" but the weathering, ties and track location looks like all part of making it appear realistic.  Another "as you go" project but seemingly well worth it.

As with the backdrop and half-buildings to 'trompe l'oeil" into seeing depth and what really isn't there, some trackwork modification will help set the scene for my 1940's railroad. The Greater Nickel Plate is a work of love and why shouldn't I put a bit of extra effort into it. . . .thanks again for the picture. If anyone has some siding and/or simple yard shots to share, please do. Pictures lead to ideas, questions, investigation and success. . . .

I too have a shot to show the difference.  From front to back code 83, 70, 55

This is shot at Clarksville Jct.  The code 83 is on the main to Spadra.  The code 70 is the Clarksville branch and the code 55 is the switching lead for CJ yard.  I personally think it is worth the effort but that's just me.

A lot depends on what type of railroad you are modeling. Is it a heavily traveled mainline pike or something a little more "rustic"? What era do you model - modern day or early in the previous century? All of these will have a bearing on what size rail is appropriate for your layout.

My Trenton Cutoff layout is based on a former PRR heavy duty freight only line and I've gone with code 100 to reinforce that image. On my previous layout, which was based on the Seattle and North Coast which was an isolated brachline severing Washington's Olympic Peninsula, I used code 83 and code 70.

Hope this helps.

-George

David,

A point touched upon already, that, I believe, is worth reiterating is tie spacing:  mainline vs. branchline vs. siding and yard are all different.  A good explanation, along with a very good product line is found at Central Valley Model Works.  Check this out:  http://www.cvmw.com/cvt.htm

 Rob et al,

Transition joiners (Acetal "Delrin") are indeed available they are made by Micro Engineering and you can purchase them from our sponsor Fast Tracks:

Transition Rail Joiners - Code 83 to 70 Regular Price: $3.85 5 in stock!    Micro Engineering code 83 to 70 insulated transitional rail joiners allows you to joiner code 83 and code 70 rail together. ...  Transition Rail Joiners - Code 100 to 83 Regular Price: $3.85 17 in stock!    Micro Engineering code 100 to 83 insulated transitional rail joiners allows you to joiner code 100 and code 83 rail together. ...  Transition Rail Joiners - Code 70 to 55 Regular Price: $3.85 9 in stock!    Micro Engineering code 70 to 55 insulated transitional rail joiners allows you to joiner code 70 and code 55 rail together. ...  Transition Rail Joiners - Code 83 to 55 Regular Price: $3.85 10 in stock!    Micro Engineering code 83 to 55 insulated transitional rail joiners allows you to joiner code 83 and code 55 rail together. ...  Transition Rail Joiners - Code 100 to 70 Regular Price: $3.85 29 in stock!    Micro Engineering code 100 to 70 insulated transitional rail joiners allows you to joiner code 100 and code 70 rail together. ...