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N Scale Track Joiners Peco & Atlas ?

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Alabama
  • 49 posts
N Scale Track Joiners Peco & Atlas ?
Posted by switchman on Friday, March 21, 2008 10:32 AM

My DCC N scale layout will be using CD80 Peco & Atlas flex track.  My question is in relation to  Peco/Atlas rail joiners.  Are the Peco/Atlas rail joiners interchangeable on each others flex track?

Thanks

Ron 

Ya gots ta chose. Sometimes ya wins and sometimes ya lose.
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Virginia
  • 106 posts
Posted by rtprimus on Friday, March 21, 2008 10:57 AM

well, this is only a guess, but,   I have always worked with atlas track and only seen peco in the store, but, I took a look at the walthers web site and they look every much the same.  I would say that, it may take some work, and I would weld the joiners to the track to make sure they hold togeather and add power feeds as well.

 

But thats just me, please dont quote me on it!

Long live the Norfolk & Western and the 611 J class!!!!!
  • Member since
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  • From: New Hampshire
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Posted by ChrisNH on Friday, March 21, 2008 11:05 AM

I only have experience mating the atlas code 80 with the peco code 55. The track joiners worked each way but not as well as if I used the correct ones because the rail design at the bottom of the rail is slightly different. The peco rail joiners had a less intrusive appearance.

I would compare the profile of the bottom of the rails and see if they look the same, that will be the key.. they may differ depending on how each manufacturer fastens the rail to the ties.

 

Chris 

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
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Posted by snowey on Friday, March 21, 2008 3:00 PM

yes, I also use Peco code 80 with Atlas rail joiners and have no problems.

I first started using them because I started out using Atlas code 8o sectional track; but then I read how Peco track and turnouts are better; and I decided to use flex track because there's less joints therefore less chance of derailment-which is important in N scale.

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Posted by CascadeBob on Friday, March 21, 2008 3:53 PM

On my last layout, I used Atlas metal rail joiners to join code 80 Atlas flex track to code 80 Peco turnouts with no problems.  I used the Peco clear plastic insulated joiners where I needed electrical gaps in the rails.  At the time, the Atlas insulated joiners were huge and were yellow in color.

Bob 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Alabama
  • 49 posts
Posted by switchman on Friday, March 21, 2008 10:36 PM

Thanks Folks.

I'll be able to use both rail joiners on both brands of track.

See ya

Ron

Ya gots ta chose. Sometimes ya wins and sometimes ya lose.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Saturday, March 22, 2008 9:41 AM

I have no experience with N scale, but in HO scale the Peco and Atlas rail joiners are different sizes for their code 83 rail.  Peco rail has a narrower foot (base) than Atlas rail, so a Peco rail joiner is also narrower and won't fit over Atlas track without using a lot of force.  Atlas rail joiners are wider and fit loosely on Peco rail, and have to be slightly squeezed shut.

 

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