I am building a layout in the office and have some Code 55 track and was intending on building it with Code 55 but due to the track shortage and the abundance of code 80 at my local hobby shop should I switch to code 80?
ME and Peco are not out of the question but I’d rather just use atlas track because I know how it works and handles.
any thoughts?
I’ve used Code 80 on my layout, and I don’t think it’s as bad as some people make it out to be. Then again, most east coast railroads run on very heavy rail, so it looks at home. You know that you won’t have a problem with the flanges being too big, that’s for sure! However, the only real problem that I have with it is that there isn’t a whole variety of switches or crossovers for Code 80.
Ultimatly, I think that it should be your choice. I would personally go with 80 since it’s somewhat easy to work with, but 55 has more flexability (more options for crossovers and turnouts).
Atlas code 80 track has a coarse and distinctive appearance that screams “N scale” wherever I see it used. The turnouts don’t quite operate as smoothly as other brands either. Look at photos of N scale layouts using various brands of track, compare to the real thing, and decide if the visual compromise with Atlas code 80 is acceptable to you. Maybe it will be, and if so that’s all that matters. Micro Engineering or Peco both look better to me, and Atlas code 55 can look very nice when painted and weathered.
Yeah the thing that killed C80 for me was the turnouts, trains with and without pizza cutters would bounce even at slow speeds. I was looking at the BNSF track out here it looks like it’s tall but it’s probably C55.
looking at the Code 80 on ti"N"y righ now it it doesn’t seem so bad after it’s been ballasted but I will admit that a closer inspection shows it’s height. I’ll do some more digging.
Posted by cuyama on another thread:
"Atlas expected arrival dates for track are on-line at their site: http://www.atlasrr.com/containershipping-track.htm "
that’s the problem, I need that track now. Not august or november., I’ve already waited five months for a locomotive that was due in January. I’ll have to make due with what’s out there.
Use code 55, there so much brands which look so great in code 55, Atlas ME or Peco.
Even If You want to handlay your track, Fastrack make a lot of jigs for code 55 Nscale track.
Code 80 is, I beleive and this is my opinion, obselete regardless of the new fine scale standards of cars and locomotives in Nscale, both diesel and steam offered now on the market.
The fine wheels look so high on code 83.
Fine models needs fine track anyway; code 55 is closer to the scale and code 55 is not more difficult to lay.
Perfect track laying is a very important factor for good running train.
This factor is on the same level of precision regardless you use code 83 or code55.
Marc from Belgium
C55 is by far the better looking N Scale track and Peco is the top switch…
Here’s the rub.
One needs to use low profile wheels on C55 but,LPWs seems to be the standard on newer cars and locomotives so,the real issue would be if you use older models with their deep flanges.
Ok…If I was going to use C80 I would go the next step and use Kato Unitrack…I’ve used it and found it was the best track and the #6 switch works flawlessly.
Ok, I think I will stick with Code 55 I’m going to have to dig to get what I need. How many turnouts does peco offer in C55 only two like ME or more?
I’m currently building a large N-scale layout using Code 80 Atlas flex track and code 80 Peco Electrofrog turnouts. The main deciding factor for me was the fact that I had over 300 feet of the Code 80 flex track and over 100 Code 80 Peco turnouts salvaged from my old layout which I was not about to throw in the trash just to get a more prototypical-appearing track. I’m not very picky in this regard and I think by the time the track is weathered/painted and ballasted the track size won’t be as noticeable.
If I were starting new with no track or turnouts, I’d probably op for the code 55 because of its appearance. I think I’d still use the Atlas flex track because it forms smooth curves and easements more easily and I’d still use the Peco turnouts because I like the spring loaded points that allow you to operate them manually, saving costs on turnout motors.
Bob
I think I’ll stick with the 55, sectional track. I find that flex track is great but overall would be better suited for a modern era layout, that and I like to hear the wheels clicking over lots of joints.
Everything I’ve heard or read says not to rely on rail joiners for good electrical continuity between track sections. If you go with sectional track on your layout, be prepared to solder the rail joints or put conductive jumpers across the joints or put in power drops to each section of the sectional track if you want reliable operation. Sooner or later, the metal rail joiners will start to corrode and you’ll start seeing electrical problems creeping in.
flex track is unwieldly for me, and where does it say one cannot or should not rely on joiners?
Use flex-track and cut gaps,half way through the rail,clack,clack…
Cheers,
Frank
If you can, go with code 55. When I was getting back into the hobby 5-6 years ago (after being out of the hobby for over 25 years) I made the choice to go for N scale and to use code 55 track. It looks great once ballasted, and on my layout the trains run very well. One thing I ended up doing was buying a large package of microtrains low profile wheel sets. Whenever I buy a new freight/passenger car I can always pop in a set of wheels if I need to.
yeah, I’m going to have to work with whats out there on the market. I will be switching to Fox valley metal wheels.
I’m a user of Fox Valley, and so far, I like them more than any other wheel out there.
Gary,FVM trucks are smooth rollers…I’m sure switching out the plastic wheels will improve the roll ability of your cars.
Another nice wheel brand is ExactRail.
Geesh,talking about N Scale makes me miss it…
yep looks like FVM’s are a good choice.
Peco and ME track how about those two, are they comparable to atlas? so far I have a #7 RH turnout by ME and am not impressed by it’s performance a dead frog even with long wheelbase locomotives.