It's not the rail that's 'fragile'. ME flex track is 'delicate' and more demanding in curving. Fine detail and a great choice for the visible main. For staging (and hidden tracks), use of Atlas code 83 is easy, quick, and inexpensive. Less detail, but very serviceable. You'll get better trunouts and quality by using the FT construction (and less expensive than purchased turnouts). Matching the code 83 ME rail used in the FT constructed turnouts to the Atlas code 83 rail in the flex track (two differing rail profiles) is not a real big issue - just a bit of filing at the joints. Stay with the ME code 83 rail for the visible mains - but learn to 'work it' in making curves.
-ed-
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-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR -
http://www.coslar.us/NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.