I’m sure it will be in a thread somewhere but I don’t think I have enuf years left to find it. Have been out of the loop for a number of years but am back in it. Gonna lay some track on new N layout and want to switch to code 55. Have looked for all the info I can on Atlas, Peco. ME, etc pros and cons, running Micro trains rolling stock, and quite frankly I just get more confused than ever. Does anyone know of a website (your own perhaps) where I can find some definitive info on this subject? Or perhaps the best thing to do would be to buy samples of all the manufacturers track and turnouts and test them myself?
Or maybe we could get another thread going on this subject?
Tom,My best advice to you is to visit a N Scale club and talk to the members…If there is no N Scale club in your area then try to locate one in a nearby city or perhaps ask you LHS owner if he knows of any N Scale group.
I got back into N after a 20 year hiatus, I was using Peco back 2 decades ago, and it worked well, though this time I went the Atlas Code 55 route. I am extremely happy in that choice, I did have o learn some things on my own that if I would have researched better would have made the task easier. As for the tracks you mentioned, Atlas will be the lowest in cost, you will need to be sure all your engines are in the true gauge, I had to reset gauge on ALL my Atlas engines, not the Kato’s though. I used Caboose Industries ground throws, and this is one I wish I would have known, was to have gotten the type with the capability to power the frog. There are many different camps on the Atlas, Peco and ME tracks, a very heated exchange happens about once a month on the Atlas forums, if you want to get a good arguement on all sides, http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=71
As for my choice, again I am very pleased, the Atlas looks very prototypical and smooth running.
I chose Atlas code 55 because of looks and cost. I do not regret it although the clatter form a few wheels with oversized flanges can get on your nerves. The wheels are replaceable so I don’t think it is a big problem. It looks good and works fine.
I have the Atlas code 55 and I like it for the most part. I did have a problem with some of my older steam though. The flanges were to large. All my rolling stock is Micro Trains with lo-profile flanges and I haven’t had any issues there.
Since the main portion of track that I model is a branch line, and the older locos were main line runners, I went with M.E. code 70 on the main. The code 55 is everywhere else and has not posed a problem.
I have heard of some people having problems with the No.5 turnouts and the frogs not being deep enough. A dremel tool and a grinding attachment fix that up though. Just go slow so you don’t melt the ties.
I am running all No.7’s and have not expirienced this problem so far, but I have lots more track to lay.
Like has already been suggested, make sure your wheels are in guage.
I have built several N scale code 55 based layouts in the last couple of years, both in small club environments and at home. I have used track equipment from all of the major manufacturers, and they all have strengths and weaknesses. If looks are most important to you, the best looking track I’ve layed was the ME C55 stuff. It has wonderful detail and the turnouts while fragile, are top notch performers. The second nicest looking stuff was the Atlas, but I have too many older Riv steamers that will not deal with the tie problems so I have never used this product on a personal layout.
Last but not least there is Peco, the only commercially available N scale track I will use anymore. While this track is really C80 buried in the ties, it does have the appearance of C55 track profile from the sides. The ties aren’t really american standard (or so I’ve been told), but look ok to me. The real kicker to this track is performance and product availability. They make three times the number of turnouts than the next closest competitor, including curved radius versions. Also this stuff is bulletproof in both installation and operation. Nothing I have used so far has ever given me fewer problems.
I do hope that Peco makes a true US prototype C55 in the future for use on my next project, but for now I will run my trains happily and reliably (and this is ultimately what’s most important right?)… [:D]
I went with the Atlas code 55 for my layout. I love the looks of it and my engines and freight cars look great on it.
A couple of things to keep in mind though.
If you have older rolling stock with oversize flanges, you will need to trade them out for lower profile wheels.
You will need something to throw the switches that will hold the points against the rail. Caboose Industries sells ground throws that will also power the frog or you will need switch machines to operate them…
They make jigs for building your own turnouts in all kinds of sizes and styles. If you are planning a huge layout, this might be the answer for you. I know I was impressed with what I saw on their website.
Well Tom there you go, many different takes on what we all feel works for us, though everyone here is pretty calm about their choice, unlike the other forums that become almost hysterical [;)] but you may be right, you may want to buy some of each to test first, see how it reacts with your current rolling stock and engines, how it looks to you, because that were it really counts.
I have seen some really sharp N Scale layouts done in the old/Code 80 stuff that looks great when weathered and ballasted.
Thanks guys for your input. Right now my old beater layout (4x8) has Atlas code 80 with Peco turnouts. I have never had any problems with this arrangement running Atlas locos and microtrains rolling stock trucks and couplers but because I’m building the ultimate layout now I have been buying Kato AC4400, SD70 and 90s and C44-9Ws and I have had some problems with the Peco turnouts.
I suppose when the rubber meets the road here, reliability is the most important thing, then looks. I have read about the problems you can run into running some stuff with large wheel flanges on altas code 55. And there also appears to be fixes for most problems, filing tie plates and changing to low profile wheels.
I think I am just going to have to have a look at this stuff myself. There is no hobby shop in my town and the closest one 40 miles away only sells atlas code 80. I will be making a trip to the big city soon so hope I can see all this stuff and come to a fitting conclusion