Shinohara track.

QUOTE (John @ 16 Jan 2007, 02:01) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Before making any decision, take a look at Tillig. It's still HO sleeper spacing, but it's code 83 and the points look a lot nicer than Peco, and it comes with the sides ready painted. The main importer is International Models and their website is here :-

International Models - Tillig Track Catalogue

There was a thread a few months back with some comparison pictures :-

Tillig vs Peco Photos

If you search the archives, you'll find lots of positive comments about Tillig. It's just another one to consider, it looks a lot better than Peco, and it comes ready-weathered, but you still have continental sleeper spacing.

Just remember that Tillig represents German track with German sleeper sizes and spacings with German style chairs, all modelled to HO scale.
It doesn't look anything like British track!

Graham Plowman

It's a shame that the comparisons between Tillig and Peco isn't really correct.
In the photos the Tillig is Code 83 while the Peco is code 100. Therefore it is 17 thou rail height larger. It's a pity Peco code 75 wasn't used as a comparison which of course is some 8 thou smaller than Tillig.
Price wise Tillig is much more expensive. Comparison taken today from the quoted International Models web site prices against Scale Rail web prices for Peco Code 75. All points are elecrrofrog.

e.g. (Prices from web sites as at 19/01/2007.)
Straight track Tillig £3.00 890mm Peco £2.25 914mm
Points Small Rad Tillig £13.50 Peco £7.57
Points Med Rad Tillig £13:50 Peco £8.17
Points Large Rad Tillig £15:15 Peco £8.98
Diamond crossing Tillig £14.50 Peco £7.87

One of each total price = £59.65 £34.84 Difference £24.81

The point I'm trying to make here is that Tillig isn't British prototype and is much more expensive. While I admit Peco track is far from perfect, it is British prototype styled and is readily available and costs far less.
In the end the layout builder will of course make their own choice.

QUOTE (Brian @ 19 Jan 2007, 13:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's a shame that the comparisons between Tillig and Peco isn't really correct.
In the photos the Tillig is Code 83 while the Peco is code 100. Therefore it is 17 thou rail height larger. It's a pity Peco code 75 wasn't used as a comparison which of course is some 8 thou smaller than Tillig.
Yes it was a shame Peco code 75 wasn't used because this gives a good comparison.
You'll be interested to know that the Tillig code 83 actually looks finer than the Peco code75!
The height of the rails is not the only consideration so it seems.

QUOTE Price wise Tillig is much more expensive.
Yes it is, but if you consider the expense worth it for much better turnouts and pre-weathering etc then that's your choice. n.b. discounts are usually available for large purchases.

QUOTE The point I'm trying to make here is that Tillig isn't British prototype and is much more expensive. While I admit Peco track is far from perfect, it is British prototype styled and is readily available and costs far less.
Tillig is not british prototype, but neither is Peco. In fact Peco bears no resemblance to anything anywhere.
Peco is obviously widely available, fairly cheap, and good quality.
Tillig has the advantage of a larger range of turnouts and the vastly superior looking switchblades (no toy town hinge as on the Peco turnouts).
Code 83 is also very close in scale to British mainline rail, and more tolerant of some "problem" wheels.

Worth a look anyway.