Code 55 Track Questions

[GP-9_Man11786]

I’m planning to use code 55 track for my new N Scale layout. I’m weighing Atlas Vs Peco. I am aware the Peco code 55 is something of a lion in sheep’s clothing since it’s really code 80 rail sunken into the ties. Also, the Peco ties are spaced incorrectly for North American track. I was told that Peco also offers superior reliability over Atlas, especially with turnouts. Given all that I have a few questions. Namely:

1. If I go with Peco code 55, can I run my old Minitrix steamers without grinding their wheel flanges down? That may be a huge factor in my choice of track.

2. Could I use Peco turnouts with Atlas flex track by simply Dremeling off the part of the rail sunken into the ties?

3. Are Peco’s electro frog turnouts better for locomotives with limited power pickup? I have some DCC and some DCC engines.

thank you all for your help.

[Burlington_Northern1]

As far as I’m aware you can use pizza cutters on Peco C55, peco and atlas C55 are both different and even after dremeling it you may encounter issues, but peco C55 does work with atlas Code 80 rail.

the final answer I’m unsure of peco tracks abilities, I believe the frogs may have to be wire to ensure that loco’s won’t die I’ll ask the NSO FB page as there are a couple peco users.

[Burlington_Northern1]

Yes sir it does work better.

[cuyama]

Yes sir it does work better.

If one powers the frog on Atlas C55 (easy to do via the eyelet), it works similarly to PECO electrofrog.

Are you speaking of electrically better? Or the fact that PECO 55 accommodates deeper flanges (which is true)?

[Burlington_Northern1]

when I asked other N scalers who had used it they said the peco electrofrog was better for shorter wheelbase locomotives.

I have not used peco track so I had to seek insight from other N scalers who had.

[cuyama]

when I asked other N scalers who had used it they said the peco electrofrog was better for shorter wheelbase locomotives.

If one powers the Atlas C55 frog, the performance is going to be about the same with short-wheelbase engines. I’ve used both.

[Burlington_Northern1]

when I asked other N scalers who had used it they said the peco electrofrog was better for shorter wheelbase locomotives.

If one powers the Atlas C55 frog, the performance is going to be about the same with short-wheelbase engines. I’ve used both.

I understand that but I believe he’s thinkng about using peco due to an atlas code 55 shortage.

[GP-9_Man11786]

when I asked other N scalers who had used it they said the peco electrofrog was better for shorter wheelbase locomotives.

If one powers the Atlas C55 frog, the performance is going to be about the same with short-wheelbase engines. I’ve used both.

I understand that but I believe he’s thinkng about using peco due to an atlas code 55 shortage.

The deep flanges were one reason for going with Peco. But I also had a few other concerns about the Atlas turnouts. According the Spookshow website, the eyes one solders the wires to in order to power the frogs are prone to losing conductivity. His site also said that wheel must be perfectly guaged or derailments will result. The proprietor of my LHS echoed those sentiments.

[zstripe]

GP-9_MAN,

With all due respect; Am I missing something here?? If you had all the answers already. Why did you ask the questions,on this site??

Cheers,[D]

Frank

[GP-9_Man11786]

GP-9_MAN,

With all due respect; Am I missing something here?? If you had all the answers already. Why did you ask the questions,on this site??

Cheers,

Frank

Frank, With the turnout issues, I was curious if others had similar experiences with them. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear. Same goes for the pizza cutter flanges. I didn’t know for sure.

[Burlington_Northern1]

ah, yes I had a Kato SD40 with Out of gauge trucks, no derailments but it was a bugger of a tight fit. I’m sticking with atlas as I don’t have any other track in large quantities at the moment.