Can anyone show/tell me if there is a website that shows all the different lengths that are possible to make using 1 3/4, 4 1/5, 5 1/2, 10 and 40 inch str8s from Atlas 21st Century track. I know there’s one out there somewhere, I’ve seen it but I didn’t save it. I really don’t want to cut pieces if I can help it. Thanks, Steve-O.
[#welcome] to the forum. This may be what you are looking for.
http://www.atlaso.com/welcome.htm
If there isn’t a list as such, it’s really no big deal. With the shortest piece of track being 1 3/4" you really have no worries about cutting anyway. There is a certain amount of play that can be persuaded out of the system. Also, the larger the layout you are trying to create, the easier it is to fudge. The only place where it could get dicy is when you try to put switches together in tight arrangements, but I think the system designers have given you the selection needed to accomplish most of that. That is why there are so many short sections in the system.
Here’s a link to the RR-Track website that has a table.
http://www.rrtrack.com/html/atlas_o_track_table.html
Personally, I’d rather cut custom lengths to avoid as many joints as possible.
That’s pretty cool. Given the pieces in the system you can make any length between 1.25" and 20" in .25" increments EXCEPT 1.5", 2", 2.25", 2.75", 3.25" and 4". That is 70 combinations, and excellent design work.
I do agree with Taz though, better to avoid the extra joints, and do a little cutting. Atlas makes a thing called a Snap Saw especially for cutting track. Cheap and easy.
One thing regarding Atlas track. I use only atlas nickle track and I was suprised to see it corrode. It turns green when it rusts. I bought this expensive track because I didn’t want to clean my track all the time. I still have to clean it before I run trains on the layout.
Nickle Silver Track rusting? That’s odd. I had a ton of nickle silver HO track from Atlas and never saw one rust spot even thought it was being used in a basement. In fact, over on the Garden Forum people have discussed using the Atlas O Scale Track outside due to the ties being made UV resistent.
Yes, I just have to reply here too. I had a lot of handlaid atlas nickel silver track when I was in HO, & all I can recall is that it oxidises a little and I used a Bright Boy eraser to clean it now and then. There was a lot of brass track then & it would turn color. John
Elliot and Wingnut, I don’t use Atlas, so it doesn’t really matter to me; but you seem to be using different numbers for those track sections. I am suspicious of “4 1/5”. And how would you make 1 1/4 with a minumum of 1 3/4?
Macaste, what is the humidity level in your train room? I’ve been using Atlas nickel silver track for years (first in HO and now in O), and I’ve never had a corrosion problem. I rarely need to clean the track and if I do, it’s only to remove the oily black film that accumulates from running.
Joel
I don’t know what the humidity is inside. I do live near the texas gulf coast and my layout is in my garage. I try to keep the humidity down with a window ac unit and a dehumidifier. In the summer the dehumidifier is always on. It generates a lot of water which has to be thrown out. I may be losing the battle against humidity. I used to have (steel) lionel and gargraves track on my layout. Even with the ac and dehumidifier, the lionel and gargraves track rusted terribly. The track was unusable. The average outside humidity is about 70%.
macaste,
About your humidity promlem,
Is your garage insulated? This will help! Even in your climate.
Use an extra fan on low speed to circulate the air.
Some dehumidifiers can be hooked up with a drain in the pan which then can be routed outside.
I also have a garage layout, in the Chicago area, and that is what I do to battle the humidity in the summer months.
Good luck.
I’ve never heard of nickel-silver track rusting (I’m not even sure it can rust). I have used it in Z, N, HO, and O scale for many years, and have never seen it do anything but get a bit dirty and in need of cleaning from time to time.
Oh nickle silver rail does rust. It turns green and it flakes. It looks like a rusty green copper penny. It suprised me also.