Code 80 and Pizza Cutters All the Way!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

This may brand me as not a serious model railroader but after trying low profile wheels and reading an article about flanges in one of the N scale magazines, I have to say that I’m bucking the trend of switching to low profile wheels and Code 55 track. I know I know…if you do everything correctly and lay perfect track etc. etc. even with Code 55 track and low profile wheels you shouldn’t have any derailments. If you do, well you just aren’t much of a model railroader.

Well I’m in model railroading for fun and for me low profile wheels are just not very fun! I go by the two to three foot rule. The article stated that the pizza cutters are virtually bulletproof as concerns derailments. My personal experience says the same thing. Now from almost any distance, derailments are noticable.

To make me even more of a heretic, I’m not buying into the DCC trend. I have older Nscale engines that would be a nightmare to convert and would cost me a small fortune. One way not to be priced out of the hobby is to be happy with what you have and can easily afford. Besides being priced out of the hobby, I’d be frustrated out of the hobby.

Now if Code 55 track and low profile wheels are your cup of tea, go for it! DCC is an advance and a good thing if you choose it. I reject the idea that you are inferior if you don’t have the latest and the greatest. Besides, I’m in this hobby for fun, not extreme frustration and bankruptcy. Hand laying track sounds like a torture used to extract a confession.

Everything in life is so stressful now…lawsuit this and lawsuit that. My trains are kind of like an escape to a simpler time. If this next confession doesn’t get me excommunicated, I’m not sure what will. I actually PLAY with my trains. Thanks for letting me blow off steam. Life is so complicated and stressful these days. I don’t need any more added to my life.

2

Hallelujah brother!! It’s a hobby do what you want it’s your railroad and it’s SUPPOSED to be FUN. I’m in HO scale, I like my older Rivarossi engines with the pizza cutters also and my myriad other ancient locos of various ages and manufacturers so I’m not about to change either.

3

Iam with you also. I spent a life time living up to applied standards. These are our worlds and I do mine to please me.

4

I went the other way on this, but I admire your spunk! I went the whole route, low profile, code 55, and DCC. I admire your conviction to stand up and dare to be different. Ebay should be like a gigantic playground for you!

5

Thanks for the compliment. I was thinking about bicycle riding, swinging in tire swings and playing tag. I think today’s kids are missing out on a lot of yesterday’s fun. I can remember as a child spending hours of each day in the summer outside playing and playing and playing. Our toys were low tech, low money. We were creative and we never slowed down long enough to get overweight like today’s kids. Technology adds a lot to our past times, but I also think it takes something away to. I am not sure progress is always progress. I don’t think this is just sour grapes either. The world I grew up in makes a lot more sense to me than today’s world does. To be able to feel the child like wonder I felt thirty or more years ago, even if just for a moment, is a huge reason I love being with my trains. God bless you all and have a very Merry Christmas!