Choosing among HO/OO track options
SGMRSC offers three HO/OO track ranges:
There are therefore two main choices to be made:
- Code 75 versus code 100
- Flat bottom versus bullhead
Code 75 versus code 100
|
Code 75 0.075" ≈ 1.9 mm |
Code 100 0.10" ≈ 2.5 mm |
|
|
Rolling stock compatibility |
Flanges of pre-mid-1900s rolling stock may foul rail fasteners (chairs). |
All rolling stock should be compatible. |
|
Realism |
Scales accurately to tallest UK rail (2.1 mm) but taller than shortest (1.3 mm) UK rail. Sleeper spacing reflects UK prototype |
Scales taller than tallest UK rail (2.1 mm). Sleeper spacing is closer than UK prototype |
|
Robustness |
Slightly less but generally sufficiently robust |
Slightly more robust. |
Flat bottom versus bullhead rail
| Flat bottom (code 75 or 100) rail | Bullhead (code 75) rail | |
| Prototype | Installed in UK since mid-20th century. | Installed in UK mid-19th to mid-20th century. Still found in older or less-used track and on heritage railways. |
Use cases:
| Goal | Recommendation |
| Realistic modern track | Code 75 flat bottom |
| Realistic older (pre-mid-20th century) track | Code 75 bullhead |
| Most robust track | Code 100 flat bottom |
| Compatibility with pre-mid-1990s rolling stock | Code 100 flat bottom |
Independent advice:
Track Peco Code 100, Code 75, Bullhead, EM and P4 explained at Chadwick Model Railway | 66.
The Most Realistic Track Yet? Peco Bullhead OO Gauge Unifrog Track

