Hello all! First post here, and on the heels of reentering the hobby after several...decades. So a lot has changed, and my head is reeling- DCC?!? Awesome!
So here is my quandry- I want to model the "golden era" of the 20th Century Limited passenger service trains from the 1930's in N gauge. In fact I found the Kato manufactured loco and cars perfect. I've been looking at various track manufacturers for the layout, and my interest is picqued by the Atlas code 55 track because of it's prototypical look. However I've also read that some locos have difficulty with the Atlas code 55 track (mostly older locos) because of the rail profile and a larger diameter flange on some loco wheels. So my question is this: does anyone have knowledge regarding the compatability of the Kato 20th Century Limited with Altlas code 55, and as a second question, is the Atlas track worth it, since I understand it is a bit diofficult to work with? Sorry if this has been brought up before, but a perusal of the past forums didn't give me any positive hits.
Thanks so much!
I model in HO, but you are right to think about wheel flange depth when looking at more prototypical rail sizes. I started using Atlas Code 100 rail, and had no problems. But, as I transitioned to the more prototypical Code 83, I started noticing issues. My father-in-law had given me a couple of old Rivarossi engines and some freight cars. I couldn't run them on my Code 83 track. At the same time, I was plagued by the pizza-cutter wheels on some of my own old Tyco/Mantua rolling stock. While they would actually run OK, I found that they sometimes bottomed out and bounced along the ties, not the rails, at Code 83 track. I finally fixed that when I replaced all my old plastic wheelsets with nice new metal Intermountains.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello All,
back to the greatest hobby in the world!
Here's a tip when posting: large intimidating blocks of texts are difficult to read. Smaller blocks with a sentence or two are easier on our old eyes.
Now, back to your question...
As I understand, you are going to purchase new Kato units and run them on modern Atlas Code 55 track?
No problem!
Problems occur when running older; pre-1980s, locomotives and rolling stock with "pizza cutter" (large flanged) wheels.
These large flanged wheels will catch on the shallower frogs of modern track possibly causing derailments.
Also, if the flanges are large enough they might rattle along on the spike head details on the gauge side (inside) of the rails.
If you want to use older motive power and rolling stock it is possible to replace the older wheels on some locomotives and most rolling stock.
Good luck with your future modeling endeavors, and...
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I model in N scale using Atlas Code 55 track. I only run Kato and Atlas/ Kato locos and have found that any built from around 1990 on run fine on the Code 55 track. The only 2 that I have that lightly touch the spikes are the Atlas / Kato RS11 and RS3 from the 80's. They still run but there is a light clicking noise. As far as being worth it, I believe it is. It does take a little fiddling with the turnouts, but I really like the way it looks. Here is an Atlas / Kato GP35 from the early 90's run...
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Hey Mister B, Thanks for your input!
Heyy JJ, Can't help but laugh at your initial comment, as I don't believe you are much older than I am! I plan on purchasing a new Kato Loco, so as I understand you I should have no problems. I really appeciate the knowledge you all have garnered over the years and share so openly, it hopefully will save me a lot of difficulties! Thanks again!
Hey TRWroute, I appreciate the information! You have allayed my apprehension. I will be running a new Kato loco, so hopefully there will be no problems. Thanks again!