I am kitbashing my own double track deck girder bridge in N-scale. I am using Atlas N code 55 “6-inch” straight track sections that I will secure directly to the deck top. Trouble is…I just ordered the track tonight and do not want to wait for the order to come in before I start the bridge. The bridge is to be 24" long and (4) 6" sections would be perfect for that length (Me and flex track don’t get along to well). My question is: Are those Atlas 55 6" sections actually 6-inches or something weird like 5 15/16" or something. You know what I’m talking about. Or do they measure from rail joiner front-rail joiner front? I guess I should wait for the track to arrive but if anyone has ever worked with this size track, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
You are joking of course. Exact is one of those words we don’t use in this hobby; if everything in this hobby was an exact fit there would be absolutely no need for files and sandpaper!
Before you go gluing all that down, bear in mind that track on bridges does NOT look like track on the ground… Unless you are doing a ballasted deck… I use Atlas c-55 for all my main lines, but on the bridges, I use Micro Engineering code 55 bridge track. It has longer ties that are more prototypically square, and spaced closer together.
You can see the ends of the ties extending beyond the girder in this view…
The bridge track is available only as flex, but it includes the smaller code 40 rail for the guard rails, and the main rails mate perfectly with the Atlas track, as shown below.
I’m actually just going to set the track on top of ribbed “plastruct” styrene sheeting which will be the actual deck top. It actually looks like closely spaced ties, especially after I paint it dark brown. Not prototypical, but I’m kinda building a lazy-mans layout this go around.
Hey, I’m as lazy as the next guy, but I learned a long time ago that if you don’t think you have time to do something right, what makes you think you have time to do it over?
The products are readily available, not terribly expensive, and easy to use. Challenge yourself a little. It might take a little more thought, time and effort, but in the end you’ll be much more satisfied with the work.
Whenever I think I can live with a compromise on my layout, it always ends up driving me nuts until I fix it.
and here’s a good look at the tie spacing.
