atlas "custom line" vs "standard" turnouts

[nik_n_dad]

we're still newbies at this, and are getting ready to work on our 2nd layout n-scale (first was a hollow core door and unitrack).... this one will be a 4x8 with atlas track.

If we are going to use tortoises, which #6 code 80 turnouts would you recommend, the atlas custom line or the standard ones?  What is the difference?

Thanks

 

[CSX Robert]

If you are going to use tortoises, you'll want to get the custom line because they do not have a switch machine attached to them while the standard ones do.  You also may want to look at the code 55 line if you haven't already.

[nik_n_dad]

Thanks. I thought the standard line had an option for remote or non-remote (machine or not)...which is what confused me.

unlike most folks where the dad gets the kids into model raliroading, I was never into this hobby at all. Somewhere my little guy got a weird train gene from his first days, and has drug me into his hobby (so now it is our hobby)....the point being, I'm still learning alot and struggling with making things "right" when we build this stuff (but having fun with it).

I've been pretty much talked into code 80 by the folks at our local train shop over code 55 for a number of reasons... one is to ensure anything we've got will run on it and 2nd is that we'd have better luck working with it, since we're still learning.

Thoughts from anyone on code 55 vs 80 and issues we'll have with either?

thanks again

[tstage]

I was never into this hobby at all. Somewhere my little guy got a weird train gene from his first days, and has drug me into his hobby

N-n-D,

Are we talking a mood altering drug or some sort of new experimental drug bought off the street?  Wow!  Kids using drugs takes on a whole new meaning now...

Tom

P.S. Don't mind me.  I'm off my medication...and it's late. 

[CSX Robert]

The standard line does have the option for remote or non-remote, but the non-remote switches still have what looks like a switch machine mounted on it for actuating the switch by hand. Most of the newer stuff will run on Atlas code 55 just fine. You would have to replace the wheels on Micro-Trains cars, but that is easy and realatively inexpensive to do. One advantage to the code 55 line is that they have a wide variety of curves if you don't want to have to use a lot of flex track. If you are interested in code 55 and are worried about some of your equipment operating on it, buy a few pieces and try it out. I am not trying to talk you out of using code 80, I just wanted to make sure you are aware of code 55. Some of the advantages of code 80 are that everything will run on it and if you have any UniTrack left you can easily use it with Atlas code 80. Code 80 is also a little more tolerant of out of gauge wheels.

[chateauricher]

I've been pretty much talked into code 80 by the folks at our local train shop over code 55 for a number of reasons... one is to ensure anything we've got will run on it

Any equipment will run on any code of track.  However, large-flange (aka pizza-cutter) wheels will hit the ties on smaller code tracks and may have problems in some brands of turnouts and diamonds.  They'll still run, just maybe not as reliably.

It is usually a fairly simple and inexpensive procedure to change to low-flange wheels.  Many of the Micro-trains box cars that I've bought lately came with two sets of plastic wheels -- large- and low-flange.  Since I prefer metal low-flange, I bought some to change them out (less than $8 CDN for 12 axels, enough for 3 cars).

and 2nd is that we'd have better luck working with it, since we're still learning.

Some say that you have to perfectly lay code 55 track or you'll have problems.  But I would say that the quality of your track-laying work will impact the "run-ability" of your track regardless of what code you're using.