Here's what I did: I removed some ties from one end of the ME track and filed the part to connect to the Atlas turnout. Next, I carefully opened up the joiners and slid them onto the track and turnout (one end for each). Is that right? If not, how to connect ME track w/ Atlas turnouts? Should I remove some ties from the Atlas turnout also? If so, how many? Finally, what is the short piece of flex track to use? I have 41" between two sets of turnouts. I put in a a 36" section, but have 5" or so left. OK to use a piece as small as 5-6"?
If I did this correctly, what a great feeling.
Best,
Lee
There should not be a problem using a 5 inch length of flex track. If the length you need is on curve, you might want to solder the rails together before bending the curve. In fact, I'd put a little longer piece than what you think you need if making a curve, and then trim to final size.
Regarding the Atlas turnouts, I assume you are using Atlas code 83. If the ones you are using are like what I just looked at down in the basement, you should not have to remove any ties. If you turn the turnout over and look closely, you'll see that there is not any spike or tie plate detail on the last ties. You should be able to slip the rail joiner on without tie removal. The goal should be to slip the joiner on halfway. If it doesn't go on halfway, you should snip off that little piece of stray metal that sometimes remains when you separate the railjoiners from the strip of 4 that they are usually come in.
The other thing you should do is compare the overall height of the ME track and the Atlas turnout. Even though the rails are theoretically the same height (0.083 inch), sometimes the ties are different thicknesses. This is the case with Atlas turnouts and Walthers code 83 track. In my case I have to shim the turnouts. You'll have to see what your alignment is.
Regards
maxman covered it very well.
As for short pieces of flextrack, I wouldn't use anything shorter than about four inches, and solder the rail joiners to it.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.