Track options for my MTL and Kato

[coh2000]

I ‘m new to railroad construction, but I do have a collection of about 100+ Micro-Trains boxcars & passenger cars and 30 locomotives.. 2/3rds Kato with the remaining 3rd Atlas, Life-like and Bev-Bel.

So I have an inventory, but no track. 

I’ve read that the Micro-Train cars may not be suitable for the Atlas 55 track due to the wheel size?

Don’t know about the locomotives. 

What are my options for track since all of my rolling stock is MTL?

 

I will appreciate your comments.

[zstripe]

Coh2000,

First off  To The Forums. After reading your thread I did a little searching around and I can see why some people have nays and yea's about the MTL's regarding what track is good for them, that's why I see some don't know what they are saying. It appears there were many variations as to who built them and what year the trucks and wheels would work on different track. Take a look at this link and read all about them, for you are the only one who knows,what you have, are they all the same year and etc. :

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Kadee-Micro-Trains-MTL-1-160-N-Scale-Variations-Guide-/10000000003822658/g.html

Cheers, 

Frank

[cuyama]

MicroTrains cars built before about 2002 will have high-profile "pizza cutter" wheels which may clatter a bit on Atlas Code 55 flext track. About that time, MT began including a set of "low profile" wheels in the box, which work fine on the Atlas C55. Later still (2010?), MT switched to "mid-profile" wheels, which also work fine. Changing wheels is literally a snap, so no need to rule out any track type due to the MT cars -- you can buy lower-profile wheels in bulk from MT and other aftermarket suppliers.

In general, your engines should be OK, but you may need to check the oldest models. European-made N scale engines from about 2000 and earlier seem to have the deepest flanges.

PECO Code 55 track has somewhat poorer appearance to some folks' eyes, but can handle any N scale rolling stock because it is actually deeper rail within the ties. There is also the larger rail Code 80 track from Atlas and PECO, which likewise will handle pretty much anything, as well as “click-track” like the Kato Unitrack (Code 80).

 

[cuyama]

zstripe

 After reading your thread I did a little searching around and I can see why some people have nays and yea's about the MTL's regarding what track is good for them, that's why I see some don't know what they are saying.  It appears there were many variations as to who built them and what year the trucks and wheels would work on different track.

Only MicroTrains has built MicroTrains cars. At one time, it was incorporated into the same company as Kadee, but there are no other manufacturers.

[zstripe]

Cuyama,

I understand what you are saying I know about the Pizza cutters I should have said where they were made rather than who. I found that link interesting though. Never been in N-scale. Especially all the variations.

Cheers, 

Frank

[coh2000]

Thanks Frank,

for the information and the link. I was just reading some of it and there was another link to a glossary of terms that I needed too.

[coh2000]

All of my boxcars, gondolas, etc. are MTL, and I purchased them  in 1996-2000 but I do have the extra set of wheels in some of the boxes.

I do have two sets of Kato passenger cars and 2 Kato business cars.

So, I suppose I have the ‘old style’ wheels on the MTL cars.

Now, since MTL came out with a low-profile wheel and then later a mid-profile wheel,

which type would be better for the Atlas code 55 track .... I mean the best running wheel for the Atlas code 55??

And, should I consider switching them to metal wheels too instead of plastic??

[Mikec6201]

Fox Valley makes real nice metal wheelsets that will fit your cars and work on the code 55 track. I believe Intermountain also makes metal wheelsets, but I've not used any of theirs so far.....Mike

[coh2000]

Thanks Mike, I see several different Fox Valley codes (more than one for MTL I believe).

Which Fox Valley code would be best for me?