I have built a number of railroads in the past in HOn3, Sn3 and HO using handlayed track, or Peco and Atlas track. For my new layout I decided on Micro Engineering HO track and turnouts. I used code 70 with code 55 on some of the sidings. I had heard stories about the difficulties of using ME track in the past, specifically that it was difficult to curve and that it was fragile. I had also heard that the ME railjoiners were too small and very hard to use. It is too bad that company doesn’t have a website.
I found that using the caulk method and the ME track was the easiest method to lay long stretches of track that I have used so far. If one dresses the ends of the rail with a file, the railjoiner will slide on and hold firmly. Not having the track spring back to straight when it is curved but stay where it is to be really helpful in accurately laying track. While the spikes are small, I did not have much problem with the rail separating from the ties. The ME turnouts look really nice. I plan on getting the wiring done as fast as possible so I can start running some trains and find the track problems. I suspect I will have less “track tuning” this time than I have had on my previous layouts.
I really like the latex adhesive caulk for laying track. It is simple, holds well, with no nails or nailholes and looks nice after it dries. That is now my preferred method. - Nevin
I echo your comments to the quality of Micro Engineering track and turnouts.
I model N scale and chose to use their code 70 turnouts and pre-weathered track on the visible portion of my layout.
The fact that the flex track holds the curve, due to the tight connection between the rails and ties, was a real help.
Micro Engineering is a local company, their operation is about thirty minutes away, and I can go directly to them if I need something in a hurry. It’s a family business and the atmosphere is very friendly.
Another advantage for N scale modellers, is that the small spiking on the ties allows running of the larger, pizza cutter, wheels without any problems on there code 55 track.
There turnouts have a solder connection below the frog, which simplifies polarity control, I used Caboose Ind. ground throws with the slide switch incorporated into it.
They don’t offer much of a variety of turnouts, but what they have work very well.
I have always been satisfied with Micro-Engineering quality. I used their codes 70 and 55 track when I was in HO and still think it looks better (once it’s weathered) than handlaid. I currently use some of their sectional G Track and the looks and quality is tops.
The next time you’re over there at the ME location, can you ask them why they don’t have a web site? And if they would like a web site, have them contact me, I’d love to help them out as a professional web developer.
I’ve noticed ME does not consistentlty advertise in the model magazines either. I guess they figure word of mouth and the quality of their product will do the work for them. It’s also true they don’t have a lot of competition, so why spend your profits on a bunch of expensive ads?
Even a simple “product education web site” would be pretty inexpensive and give them a good Google presence, so they should consider it.
My current layout is a “test” layout where I have been testing different kinds of track, turnouts, and other various things. I have decided that when I construct a permanant layout, I am going with ME track and turnouts. The only thing that I don’t like with ME is that they only offer #6s in HO. I may end up going with hand laid turnouts where I need something a little “bigger”. As mentioned above, the flex stays in place, and makes life real easy when laying curves.
I also like how the rail joiners slip in between the rail and ties.
My Santa Fe layout, three decks, is all Micro Engineering in various sizes or handlaid, again with ME rail on wood ties with Peco switches and I have had great service with it also. I like the looks. The weathered flex is a little tricky to bend, but it can be done.
I am in Kansas City, and the word I heard several years ago was the original owner either died or retired, and someone else took the plant over. They never have been great about advertising or giving out access info. Doc’s Caboose in KC stocks the ME track so I have been able to get what I need.
i suppose it’s possible that being a family model railroading business they’re already working 7 days a week to keep up with the demand for their products . they may be at the point where more publicity would drive them beyond what they can handle and they’d end up with a lot of people dissatisfied because of long backorders , but they’re not yet at the point where they can afford to expand to cover the extra demand
They have about ten employees in there plant, running the injection molding machines and assembling turnouts and flex track.
Joe, I think the reason they don’t have a website is because they don’t want to get into the mail order/internet direct sales business.
Whenever I’ve gone out there, I’ve been treated as an old friend, even on my first visit. I was looking for a piece of rail for the top of a gantry crain I scratched using some of their plate girder sections. The owner and his son dropped what they had been doing to help me out.
I couldn’t ask for a better source for track or detail parts.
My experience with Micro Engineering actually goes clear back to Rail Craft days; been using Rail Craft/Micro Engineering N Scale Code 55 flex since 1983. At the time Rail Craft was the only N Scale Code 55 you could get; there have never been a prolific number of Code 55 switches on the market so I took to constructing my own, also since 1983. I have absolutely no interest at all in a replay of my “You oughta try a Dodge” experience so I’m not remotely interested in trying anything else whatsoever.