The only downside: the rails are Nickel Silver - Lionel Magnetraction will not work. I was very lucky to have found enough of the old (discontinued) Atlas steel track and switches to at least cover the areas of my layout, primarily designed in grades, where slipping of non-traction tire equipped locomotives was occurring.
The track looks great and I think it easier to cut, at least with a Dremel cut off wheel, than Lionel tubular. The movement through switches is really smooth and I have had no derailments on any switch or any part of the track. I am running TMCC and the majority of the switches are driven with SC2s. I am also using some sliding shoe cars; as long as you use the supplied ramps the trucks with the shoes move freely through the switches.
I took the route of mixing in Lionel tubular on some sidings in order to install accessories such as a 497 Coal Loader, Operating Milk Car and Ice House. The Atlas track would have worked, but I like the look of tubular with the accessories. The Atlas - Tubular transition joiners work really well but the Atlas track sit lower and therefore needs to be shimmed about 1/4".
I did have trouble with #5 turn outs and Lionel locos. The pickup roller spacing would cause stalls. I replaced all the high speed turn outs with O54 switches. As long as you stay with the normal switches - O54, O72 and the like, I do not think you will have any loco stalling problems. I am running O54 switches and smaller with a Dockside and a Baby Berk - no stalls.
Atlas support and customer service is stellar. I also used the free track planning software and found it pretty useful. The interface takes some getting used to but once you figure it out it gets the job done.
Bobby,
My only source for Atlas switches & track closed shop Christmas of 2005, and no one else carries Atlas in my area.
Might be able to order stuff online but I prefer to see it first then buy.
Lee F.
My opinion, since you asked.
Atlas is what I used. It's a good track system. However, if I ever do another layout, I may go with Gargraves/Ross instead. I like how Atlas track looks. I like the variety of sections. I LOVE that they have their own free software. Prices are OK (just went up recently). Their small switch tracks are decent. Their larger switches have given me some greif. If you can stay away from their larger switches, you would be fine I think.
The selling point for me was that the Atlas was available at three different LHS within a 45 minute drive, and each had a decent stock of Atlas O (all sections and switches), while the Gargraves/Ross was sparc, and only flex tracks, no switches. But again, next time I would probably go with Gargraves/Ross.
You should probably inquire with others here about the locos your planning on using vs. Atlas/Gargraves switches. It is certain locos that have difficulty on the Atlas switches. It may be the deciding factor for you.
Bobby
I will make this comment about the 072 switch in Atlas and that it is larger in length than Ross or GarGraves so it takes more space.
I've used it since it first came out and have nothing but good to say about it. Expensive, but worth it in my book. When I built my current layout I re-used a bunch of early track that had the original-style connectors. The connectors weren't giving me trouble but I replaced all of them with the newer style anyway. Also, I had one early switch that had the well-documented continuity problems and I had to put a jumper wire underneath, but all my others have been fine. Atlas has since addressed that problem.
Joel
For those who use it, what do you think about it? Is it a good or bad track system?
Thanks,
Grayson
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
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