MichaelWinicki Gosh, Atlas didn't abandon the code 55 flex market did they?
Gosh, Atlas didn't abandon the code 55 flex market did they?
You might have missed the post directly above yours where I pointed out that Atlas N Scale Code 55 flex track is indeed alive, well, and available (as are turnouts).
Some incorrect information had been given elsewhere in this thread based on unfounded rumors.
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By the way, after all the dire comments made in this thread about whether <gasp> Atlas Code 55 N scale flex track would ever be made again, it's now in wide supply again at many dealers. (Just as Atlas said it would be by the end of August).
Of course, this is no guarantee that it won't be out of stock again someday, but apparently the rumors of the permanent demise of Atlas N scale C55 flextrack were somewhat overstated.
Byron
Hi!
I've only dabbled in N (I'm into HO) for awhile in the '80s, so my comments are strictly from an analytical point of view, rather than experience.......
I suggest you ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the extra money for the code 55 worth it - and can you afford it?
- Is their an availability problem with either choice?
- Are your locos and rolling stock up to running on the smaller rails?
- Are YOU up to working with the smaller rails (i.e. track laying & soldering)?
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Once everything is painted and ballasted, nobody will know the difference but if you are concerned make the change after a turnout, most people will not notice then at all.
Atlas code 55 looks great and has a good selection. As mentioned before consider what variety of track needs you may need. I used Peco code 80 on my chest high layout and after running on the club (Atlas code 55) layout the track looks horibly oversize, but it was in my opinion the best for my money at the time(2004). Also the #10 Atlas turnouts are quite smooth running, but the #5's seem to need more tuning to make them run smooth.
John
Alright!
Thanks for all the reply's guys. I made my decision and I'm going with the ME Code55 with Atlas Switches. I will just buy them in sections. One more question I had is if and when Atlas ever releases their Code 55 flex again, do you think that it would pair up nice with ME Code 55?, or do you think it would look wierd with both on the layout.
Thanks again,
Mike
While I agree with most of the replies about using ME C55, only one member made a passing reference to pizza cutter wheels.
Whether you use C55 or C80 could depend on how much older equipment you have and if you're willing to upgrade all your wheels to operate properly on the small code track. Don't forget, you'll have to upgrade your older locos, a much harder proposition than rolling stock.
If everything you have is less than about 10 years old, you should be okay with C55. You'll be please with the looks.
I also started with Atlas code 100. Then dropped to code 83 flex. Now I'm hand laying code 70 as I remodel sections. Probably be down to 55 on the sidings next go around. While I know the commercial track has more detail cast in, I find the hand laid track to "look" more realistic. Somehow the slight irregularities improve the look in my eye.
I modeled in N-scale about 30 years ago. One day I put my scale rule next to that standard N-scale track and it measures something like 14 scale inches tall (about knee high to an N-scale human). That bugged me so much that I stopped work and re-laid all the track by hand with code 55 rail. To me it was worth it:
You are fortunate that you can buy good looking code 55 track for just a little more money. I think you'll live to regret it if you go with the nowhere-near-scale N scale track.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
Atlas code 80 can be made to look o.k. and if you don't care too much about the appearance of large rail, then go for it. You won't have any problems with pizza cutter wheel flanges on older equipment. I used it on my old layouts without problems.
I now use code 55. It looks a whole lot better and I have a better selection of turnouts. I am using #10's on my mainline and # 7's everywhere else. I have to change wheels on my old stuff but that is o k, they look better with the new wheels. In my pictures the rail height still looks too tall but it is a whole lot better than code 80.
The ME flex can be bought with cement ties so if you are modeling a section of a real railroad where they use them then you can get a better realistic look than if you went with wood ties.
I used Atlas code 55 because I like the wood tie look vs concrete ties and my railroad is fictional.
Craig
mjmueller No-one knows.
No-one knows.
Atlas has announced on their own forum August 9th that some Code 55 flex has already shipped and more will ship later in August, perhaps enough to fill all outstanding orders. Turnouts and crossings are in stock now at many retailers.
So Atlas does seem to know and a phone call to them might be more informative than hearsay.
FYI, MicroEngineering N scale C55 has also gone out of stock for weeks, months, or years at a time in the past, and offers only one turnout size.
Neither is the "perfect" choice, but Atlas C55 is somewhat easier to work with and offers a broader selection of components. As long as the supply issues are resolving (and they seem to be), I wouldn't rule them out.
Well, I do appreciate your info. The fact remains that we don't even know if Atlas is going to be making Code 55 flex. They say it's coming, but we don't know for sure. The question was with the ME Flex or Atlas Code 80 flex. In regards to the construction, I have everything built and waiting for track layout. I do not feel like waiting 6 months to a year just for track. If I have to pay a little more than I will, but I just wanted people's opinion on which out of the two would I be best suited for. Thank again, and good luck.
mj
MJ,
Do not get uptight about stuff not being available 'right now' Just buy stuff as it is available and stock up for that future layout. I model in HO and the present layout used code 100 trackage. The 'plan' in the next 2 years is to retire and build a new layout using code 83. I have been buying code 83 flex and turnouts for about 3 years now. I have over 250 section of flex, and about 25 turnouts 'stock-piled' for the future layout. Ir took about 3 years to build the old layout and it has served me well for the past 20+ years.
If you 'gotta run something', get some Kato Uni-Track and get it out of your system! Work on your cars/engines now. When you get to layout building, you will need to focus on the layout construction.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Well, I would use Atlas Code 55 if I could. The simple fact is that there is none available anywhere and they are on backorder indefinately. My good friend works for Walthers and he says it could be another 6 months or so. No-one knows.
Why not use Atlas code 55? - much larger selection of turnouts and much lower price. All M-E makes is #6 turnouts and flex(and there is always shortages of the stuff).
I did Phase 1 of my HO layout with code 100 track. For Phase 2, I decided to switch to code 83.
I had no problem with the code 100, but I do think the code 83 looks better, and now I wish I'd gone with that from the beginning. But, who knew?
I'm using mostly Atlas flex-track. Code 100 track in HO has black ties, while code 83 typically has brown ties. The ties are thinner, and I think they look more realistic that way.
One thing I've learned about myself in this hobby is that as I get further into it my standards go up. What used to be "good enough" just isn't anymore. A large part of that is interacting with the people here, and looking at the photos of other people's work. It pushes me to do better, and makes me demand more of my layout.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
mj -
You already answered your own question. There's nothing wrong with code 80 track and "dressing it up" isn't all that difficult, but if YOU think you need the high $$$ stuff, there will always be a nagging question in the back of your mind. ie, would this have looked better with code 55 stuff.
Bottom line is: we can't answer that question for YOU.
BTW, I use code 80, and am pretty happy with it, but I'm not you.
Archer
mjmueller Hello: I am in a dilema here with which N Scale track to go with. I love the ME Code 55, but don't like the cost. I just want all your expert thoughts on this question. If I go with Atlas Code 80 and dress her up real pretty with weathering and all, and the whole layout is the same, will I regret it if I dont go with the ME Code 55? Be honest, Thank you
Hello:
I am in a dilema here with which N Scale track to go with. I love the ME Code 55, but don't like the cost. I just want all your expert thoughts on this question.
If I go with Atlas Code 80 and dress her up real pretty with weathering and all, and the whole layout is the same, will I regret it if I dont go with the ME Code 55?
Be honest,
Thank you