Atlas VS PECO Track?

[Anonymous]

So here I am designing my N scale layout with Atlas track, wondering why Atlas doesn't make wye's, or curved turnouts. I found out just now, that PECO makes all of this and more! So why would anyone use Atlas track? Why should I, or should I not switch to PECO?

[cacole]

Price. Peco turnouts and crossing diamonds are made to much higher quality than anything Atlas produces, but they also cost more than Atlas.

You can easily mix Atlas flex track with Peco turnouts and crossings as long as the rail code is the same, so you could use high-quality Peco turnouts and Atlas flex track.

[AntonioFP45]

I realize that you're in N scale but it seems that the quality standards are simialr in HO. I'll use Atlas Flex track, but for switches (turnouts) I'm going with Peco only! Quality, IMHO, is top notch.

[grayfox1119]

Like just about everything else in life, it all breaks down to quality. As a very wise old farmer once said, " if you want nice fresh oats, must expect to pay a fair price fer em, but if you don't mind the oats after they been through the horse......wellllll, they come a little cheaper, ayup !!
PECO makes a high quality product, so they can charge more for their product because there are MRR'rs who want quality track and turnouts. Shinohara and Micro Engineering also make a quality product.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bcauldwell

So here I am designing my N scale layout with Atlas track, wondering why Atlas doesn't make wye's, or curved turnouts. I found out just now, that PECO makes all of this and more! So why would anyone use Atlas track? Why should I, or should I not switch to PECO?

To answer your question:

Probably 65% of people buying track aren't using wyes or curved turnout's, and 99% of those will buy what's cheaper - which happen's to be Atlas.

Since you are one of the 35% wanting somewhat more, you raise an interesting guestion. You can excercise option's. It also raises A subliminal question - WILL YOU?

[Anonymous]

Peco track is 10 times better than Atlas and worth any extra price you will pay for it. Buy what you want, not track pieces others say you should use.

Buy Peco you won't be disappointed.

[pcarrell]

Atlas makes a code 55 wye.

[icmr]

I think you should use whatever you fell like using because you will be running your trains on the track. I model HO and I use Atlas flex track and turnouts and have not been disappointed yet. I thought about using Peco but I chose Atlas because it does what it is supposed to do, carry electricty and the trains, and it looks good too.




ICMR MY $2.75

Happy railroading.[:)][:)]

[jnichols]

For me, the biggest drawback to the Peco N scale track is appearance. This is the worst looking stuff I have ever seen, even compared to Atlas C80. I have always heard good things about it's reliability, but man is that stuff hard on the eyes... [2c]

The biggest problem with N scale track is and always will be the rail height. Even C55 rail is HUGE in N scale (think code 110 in HO scale), and works out to 180 pound rail or close to it. With Peco, not only is the rail profile bad, but the tie spacing is not US spec and the turnouts just look "heavy" to my eyes. I have been operating for close to six months now on Atlas C55 and I'm quite pleased. It's affordable, fairly bullet proof and is easy to lay. There are also several companies building custom C55 turnouts, so look around before buying. Good luck... [:D]

Jeff

[CP5415]

I don't have any Atlas switches left. All the ones I had were brass & long gone.
In a recommendation from a freind, I'm using Peco switches. I still have some really old but still usable Shinohara switches that I will be using, mostly in the mainline as they have really broad curves through the turnout.

As for flex track, I prefer Atlas over Peco as I find the Atlas easier to work with. But that's just my opinion.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Another thing I like about PECO is the availability of conrete ties, I think they look really cool. I might have to check out Atlas 55.

Does PECO have code 55 rail?

What are the drawbacks or using code 55 rail?

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bcauldwell

Another thing I like about PECO is the availability of conrete ties, I think they look really cool. I might have to check out Atlas 55.

Does PECO have code 55 rail?

What are the drawbacks or using code 55 rail?

Peco has code 55, but it is really double flanged code 100 buried deeper in the ties. It is the most robust track available in N scale and looks closer to scale than code 80. Peco55 is 100% compatible with code 80 (no transition joiners). I have used Peco55 with Peco80, Atlas80 and Kato Unitrack.

Since it is actually code 80 there are no wheel flange depth problems. Other code 55 (particuarly Atlas55) is too small for the deep wheel flanges common on older N Scale equipment. This is not a problem with newer good quality equipment.

Peco55 is not as good looking as Atlas 55 or Micro Engineering 55 and it's appearance is not based on US prototype track.

[jacon12]

Ok, for us new guys... what exactly is it about Peco turnouts that are better than Atlas turnouts? The metal? The way it is machined? The movement? I've never looked close at a Peco but I do have some Atlas #4's (which I'm going to replace with #6's).
JaRRell

[CP5415]

Peco switches have a "SNAP" to the movement to it that is reassuring that it is indeed switched to the track you want which is good especially in hidden areas. With Atlas switches, you have to look at the switch to make sure that the switch is turned. I guess, in my words, it has a lazy movement to it.
That's what I've found with my Atlas switch experience. I'm also experieincing this with my Shinohara switches as well but my Shinohara switches I own have been in my family for over 36 years so I plan on using them as long as I can.

Gordon

[Don Gibson]

OK jacon12

Since you are getting divided opinions here:

1. They both work - obviously
2. Why don't you buy 1 each and give us your finding's

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

Ok, for us new guys... what exactly is it about Peco turnouts that are better than Atlas turnouts? The metal? The way it is machined? The movement? I've never looked close at a Peco but I do have some Atlas #4's (which I'm going to replace with #6's).
JaRRell

I prefer Peco, but "better" is subjective. Both brands work well well when carefully laid. Atlas55 and Micro Engineering 55 both look more like American prototype track than Peco does.

I like: (1) the Peco spring feature because I can get by without switch machines or ground throws, (2) that no special connections are needed to transition from code 80 to Peco55. Just use the same rail joiners as used for code 80, and ( 3) because of its heavier components Peco55 is less prone to damage from rough handling than other code 55.

I use Peco80 switches with Atlas80 flextrack, Atlas80 snaptrack, and Peco80 flextrack for mainlines and Peco55 switches with Peco55 flextrack for secondary lines, sidings and spurs.