N Scale Track

[Anonymous]

After gaining more space in the house, I am rebuilding my n-scale layout. Previously I was using Kato Unitrack, but I have decided to switch to flex track and tortoise controlled turnouts. I have heard some complaints about the new atlas track not working with the larger flange wheelsets from MT... Does anyone have any recommendations for the best n scale track? I am debating handlaid turnouts, so any suggestions there would be great too.

THANKS!

[DSchmitt]

The Atlas code 55 is a excellent product, but older equipment with larger wheel flanges will not run on it. The newer quality locos and cars will work. Changing wheels on older cars is usually easy but older locos are a problem.

I use Peco switches and a mixture of Peco and Atlas flex track. Peco 80 and/or Atlas 80 on main lines, and Peco code 55 on branches and siding. (Peco 55 is functionally code 80 but looks smaller).

You can replace the rail joiners on Kato track and use it with with Peco and Atlas track

I've heard good things about Micro Engineering code 55 and that the deep flanges will work on it.

[Anonymous]

I've been happy with the Atlas code 55 track on my layout. I've used both sectional track and flextrack.

[Anonymous]

I just started in N scale, and got Atlas Code 55 for all my trackage, without knowing what I was getting into. I had to replace all the wheelsets of the rolling stock I had already bought with MicroTrains wheels (which you have to get also if you're using Peco 55 from what I hear).

The biggest surprise I had was that my new and costly Atlas GP7 kept climbing the points and the frogs of the turnouts. I had to file all my turnout points to make them wider on the inside, and increased the clearance inside the flangeways. It was a bit of a sweat (there is quite a bit of filing to do), but now I don't have problems anymore.

Wiring Atlas' metal frogs is another thing I could have lived without (I would have preferred insulated frogs), although I don't plan to wire them unless I happen to get locos in the future that don't have all wheel pickup.

If I had known this before jumping head first with Atlas' track, I still would have gone for Atlas Code 55, since the track apearance is a lot more realistic than Peco's, IMO. The tie spacing on Pecos track doesn't do much for me.

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Calaille

I had to replace all the wheelsets of the rolling stock I had already bought with MicroTrains wheels (which you have to get also if you're using Peco 55 from what I hear).

Peco code 55 is functionally code 80, anything that will run on code 80 will run on Peco code 55

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt


Peco code 55 is functionally code 80, anything that will run on code 80 will run on Peco code 55

Peco code 55 is code 80 rail buried partially into the ties so that only 0.055" projects above the ties, so you can still encounter difficulty with wheels that have flanges too deep. I have been using Micro Engineering code 55 and do not have experience with the Peco in order to know how it fares with the various brands, but possibly it might be better than other code 55's since it doesn't have to rely on the molded tie plates to hold the track down (i.e. thinner/smaller tie plate detail, which doesn't stick up into the flangeway as much).

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Avondaleguy

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt


Peco code 55 is functionally code 80, anything that will run on code 80 will run on Peco code 55

Peco code 55 is code 80 rail buried partially into the ties so that only 0.055" projects above the ties, so you can still encounter difficulty with wheels that have flanges too deep. I have been using Micro Engineering code 55 and do not have experience with the Peco in order to know how it fares with the various brands, but possibly it might be better than other code 55's since it doesn't have to rely on the molded tie plates to hold the track down (i.e. thinner/smaller tie plate detail, which doesn't stick up into the flangeway as much).

I stand by my statement. The design of Peco 55 makes it functionally code 80. The rail head to top of tie depth between the rails is greater than the depth outside the rails.

Peco 55 rail has 4 flanges. The outside of the tie grips both the upper and lower outside flange. The inside of the tie grips only the lower inside flange. The upper inside flange sits on top of the tie. It is no more obtrusive than the simulated spikes on Atlas track (which hold the rail in place). The effective depth of the rail is the same as Atlas code 80

I have been using Peco 55 since it was introduced. Most of my cars have older deep flanged Kadee (MicroTrains) wheels. A few still have their original deep flanged wheels Atlas, ConCor, Rapido etc. (dating back as far as 1968) The oldest loco I sometimes run is an Atlas GP9 from 1973 or 74.