Newbie Track Question

[Anonymous]

Robb, welcome the fold.

Selecting track is a personal choice. If you go with the Kato Unitrack or any of the other prefabricated track you're stuck with fixed radius curves and sectional type track and switches. However at the last convention I attended I did see some layouts that used Kato Unitrack and they looked and ran pretty well. Atlas Code 55 is a great addition to the hobby as the low profile looks more realistic but there have been some complaints that cars and engines with large pizza cutter flanges ride up on the inner tie plates due to the low profile track. If you go with the Atlas Code 55, make sure your engines and cars are all equipped with the low profile flanges.

You can't go wrong with Atlas Code 80. It's practically bullet proof. Even though it has a higher profile, painting the rail a rust brown color and the ties a similar color will go a long way toward disguising the higher profile.

Peco makes both a code 80 and 55. The big difference between the Atlas code 55 and the Peco code 55 is that the Peco code 55 is actually code 80 rail but with .025" of rail embedded in the tie, leaving .055" exposed. This allows them to use little or no tie plates on the inside of the rail so that engines and cars with larger flanges will run without any interference. The down side to Peco is that it doesn't quite have that North American look and it is expensive as compared to Atlas.

Shinohara makes (or made) Code 70 track and switches but I have not seen it in quite a while and know that it is difficult to get.

That being said, I personally use Peco Code 55 on my layout and have had very few problems with it. If you can try to visit some layouts in your area and see what type of track they are using and how it looks and runs.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

I model N also use the atlas code 100 flextrack (black). It works like a charm and is really simple to encorperate switches into. You simply secure it to the trackbed with small atlas track nails that you can buy at any hobbie shop, all the holes are pre drilled and it can be asembles in under an hour. Or mabey 2. But its still simple.

Benjamin R.

[randybc2003]

I'm in HO, but I believe all of them deliver excelent products. - Although I would check Atlas for quality. Some think their HO "Custom Line" turnouts leave something to be desired. Our Club uses mostly Peco. I would avoid Unitrack personaly, because I think with the "roadbed" it limits the flexability of the design. Get a track with as big a rail as possible if this is your first layout. Some wheelsets have deep flanges, and could cause clearance problems. At least, they do in HO. If you are getting a first layout, get a track plan book that is taylored to the track you choose, and try a simple "flat top" first.
HAVE FUN.
[:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the Model RailRoad World (N Scale) but I want to start right. My question is which track is recommend for quality, best looking scale. There are so many to choose from Kato Unitrack, Atlas Code 55, 80, and Peco.

Thanks
Robb