Please Help with expanding layout

[Anonymous]

I have a copy of the 2003 Atlas O catalog. While Atlas O does make a solid steel track line, not everything in their nickel silver line is available in solid steel. For example, the catalog shows #6078 O-72 / O-54 curved switch in nickel silver and a #6074 O-72 Wye Remote Switch, but there are no comparable switches available in solid steel.

Also, the solid steel line comes in 36, 54, and 72 inch diameter curves only.

Nickel silver is totally non-ferromagnetic. The magnetic field in a Magne-Traction axle has absolutely no effect on the track., so you get none of the traction benefits. Sorry, I have no data on what the difference is when you run such a locomotive on non-magnetic track.

It would seem to me, though, that non Magne-Traction locomotives have no significant advantage on nickel silver over steel. As far as the wheels on these locomotives are concerned, track is track. The determining factor is the coefficient of friction of the locomotive wheels on the rail, and the two track metals probably have similar coefficients.

From what I've read, the reason nickel-silver is popular is because it's oxide is electrically conductive. Iron rust is an insulator, so maintenance is important if you want to keep train performance consistent. With nickel-silver, it's less important because the locomotive doesn't lose electrical contact when it rolls over a "rusty" spot.

Tony

I'm planning to use GarGraves track on a layout I'm planning to build

[Algonquin]

Hi,

There are several articals on track types on this site that you can search for. Here is one:

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/754qlznl.asp

I do not have any Atlas track but Atlas O does make a steel track version of their nickle-silver track that is designed to take advantage of locomotives with magnatraction. You can check it out on the Atlas O website and forums for more information.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Algonquin]

Hi,

There are several articals on track types on this site that you can search for. Here is one:

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/000/754qlznl.asp

I do not have any Atlas track but Atlas O does make a steel track version of their nickle-silver track that is designed to take advantage of locomotives with magnatraction. You can check it out on the Atlas O website and forums for more information.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Anonymous]

I am currently in the process of expanding my layout (@ 126 ft2) to accomidate 42 in radius turns. As posted elsewhere on this board, the current layout is strictly O-27. The new one will be a mix of lionel O-27, O 31 track, and a track I hope your input will help determine. I'm keeping the O-27 around because of cost. Most of it is used on a yard. My roster is somewhat small, but I hope to expand it with all era engines (exept pre-war). I currently have 3 Magne traction engines, which leads me to the following questions:

I have been looking most seriosly at adding GarGraves track, but a lot of what I have read strongly endorses the Atlas O track for its conductivity. How much of the pulling power of magne traction engines is lost on the Atlas O track, in terms of percentage?

Conversely how much of an advantage do the non magne traction engines have on Atlas O compared to tin plate?

I would really appreciate the input of those of you with 681 turbines, as that is one of my engines.

There is a certain degree of "kid-friendliness" I need with my layout, as my young neice and nephew will be playing with it over the next few years. Therefore, I neeed to have non-derailing switches. I have seen and been impressed with the Atlas O switches non-derailing feature I have no knowledge of Gargraves non-derailing, but have seen on their website that it can be set up to do that. How does Gargraves non-derailingt work, and how do you wire the Gargraves for non-derailing? How realiable is this feature.

Sorry about the length, and I appreciate your input. I was also curious as to what type of track CTT uses on their product reviews.

[Anonymous]

I am currently in the process of expanding my layout (@ 126 ft2) to accomidate 42 in radius turns. As posted elsewhere on this board, the current layout is strictly O-27. The new one will be a mix of lionel O-27, O 31 track, and a track I hope your input will help determine. I'm keeping the O-27 around because of cost. Most of it is used on a yard. My roster is somewhat small, but I hope to expand it with all era engines (exept pre-war). I currently have 3 Magne traction engines, which leads me to the following questions:

I have been looking most seriosly at adding GarGraves track, but a lot of what I have read strongly endorses the Atlas O track for its conductivity. How much of the pulling power of magne traction engines is lost on the Atlas O track, in terms of percentage?

Conversely how much of an advantage do the non magne traction engines have on Atlas O compared to tin plate?

I would really appreciate the input of those of you with 681 turbines, as that is one of my engines.

There is a certain degree of "kid-friendliness" I need with my layout, as my young neice and nephew will be playing with it over the next few years. Therefore, I neeed to have non-derailing switches. I have seen and been impressed with the Atlas O switches non-derailing feature I have no knowledge of Gargraves non-derailing, but have seen on their website that it can be set up to do that. How does Gargraves non-derailingt work, and how do you wire the Gargraves for non-derailing? How realiable is this feature.

Sorry about the length, and I appreciate your input. I was also curious as to what type of track CTT uses on their product reviews.