Atlas Track Questions

[BobbyDing]

OK, I'm leaning towards the Atlas 3 rail track for my new layout (fastrack is runner up rite now). But, as always, there are questions that I have. I'm hoping you folks in the know can answer one or two for me...[:)]

Steel vs Nickel track. I understand that the Atlas steel track is best for post war because of the magnatraction (which I have 2 of). What would be the benefit of the nickel track? Less corrosion? Better electrical contact? Just guesses...[?]

The Atlas web site says they have roadbed. It's a bit pricey. Has anybody seen this roadbed? How does it compare to others? What's it made of (rubber, plastic)..[?]

Has anybody come across a material at home depot, etc..., that makes a decent roadbed....[?]

Thanks for any help....[^]

[cnw1995]

Welcome, Bobby, I just spent a delightful afternoon putting Atlas track together. We have both steel and nickel and they worked just fine. The nickel was a tad less expensive. For roadbed, we're just using plain 'ol cork - works fine too and holds ballast well.

[dougdagrump]

If you run any of the magnetraction locos stick with the steel, conductivity is not as good as the nickle silver but you won't get near as much wheel slippage. CTT did an article comparing the different types of track . If you aren't a subsciber with your own treasure trove of back issues try a search of the archives to get the issue date and then you could buy a copy from the archives. We run Atlas on the club layout with the one main in steel for the members who have some of the magnetraction stuff, including myself.

[BobbyDing]

Thanks Guys. Another question. Who has a decent price on cork roadbed? About how much per ft/section or box? I don't see too many of the usual mail order folks selling it.

[Anonymous]

I use Atlas Nickel Silver track exclusively. The NS track will give you wheel slipping issues with light engines having Magnetraction. Even heavier Magnetraction engines ( cast metal steamers ) will spin their drivers when asked to pull a decent sized consist on level track. Some like the realistic driver spinning torque but I can see where troubles arrise with NS rail when trying to negotiate grades. I'd guess that Steel rail wouldn't need any more cleaning than the regular amount required to keep crud off of NS rail. I figure on using Atlas Steel rail if I expand my layout to include graded track...especially graded curved sections

Bruce Webster

[mickey4479]

New to site early today. I have NS Atlas track on my layout with grades of about 2.25%. My Lionel locos have traction tires so slip is not a problem at all. I guess I need to read the most recent Lionel catalog on the use of traction tires vs. magnetraction. Are Lionel locos still coming out with magnetraction?