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conrail north
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 Posted - 11/19/2009 : 11:57:22
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Good day. I have been modeling in HO for some years now, but expect to start an N scale layout soon. Considering Atlas code 55 or Peco code 55 track. I have worked in N scale some years ago but Atlas code 55 track did not exist back then. Would some N scalers care to share some advice, reviews, opinions, and accounts of experience working with Atlas code 55 track - flex, snap track and #7 to #10 turnouts? As I mentioned I have been in HO but am somewhat familiar with N scale - I have heard both good and not so good reviews about Atlas code 55 track. What about availability of the Atlas line? I will be using DCC by the way.
Thanks........Dan
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Country: Canada
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Supermoto98
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 12:02:29
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I compared both Peco and Atlas eventually settling on Atlas Code 55. We haven't run any trains on it but availability has been very good and it's been easy to work with.
I would recommend Atlas c55 but some others here have been really happy with the Micro Engineering products as well.
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Matt
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wm3798
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 12:05:42
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Atlas all the way. Superior availability and economy, easy to work with, and excellent quality.
The flange issue will soon be a thing of the past, as Micro Trains has seen the error of its ways, and is making their standard wheels NMRA compliant beginning next spring.
Just don't buy old rolling stock, and you're good to go!
Lee
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Mill Street Studios - Custom N Scale Offerings.
www.wmrywesternlines.net |
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Country: USA
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GramCentralRR
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 12:44:23
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I was faced with the same decision you have to make just a few weeks ago, after building 4 layouts with Atlas Code 55 only. I ended up picking Atlas Code 55 (again), mainly because because I didn't want to pay 2.5 times the cost of Atlas' track on Peco, but also because I like the positive frog powering option that code 55 provides (when using slide switches to hold the points). I will miss the sturdiness and reliability of Peco track, along with the fact that their switches have a built in locking spring to set the position.
Because my new layout will have a lots of turnouts, I'm mentally preparing myself to take utmost care in laying my track down to maximize the reliability of operations (I like to run trains continuously, roundy-round, without having to get up to fix derailments.) My first two layouts were very un-enjoyable in that regard. Also ensure proper wheel gauge on your locomotives, and putting turnout points away from curves...
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Wally
GramCentralRR
Life's too short to be prototypical. |
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Country: Canada
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DJCONWAY
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 13:12:07
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Check the guage of any loco you buy and adjust, most are a little out of guage right out of the box, fix the gauge and the Atlas is the way to go. Also if you do end up with old Micro Trains stock wheel replacement is easy and quick with several sources of low profile wheels out there.
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 Do your part buy stuff! |
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Country: USA
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leikec
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 13:33:20
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I would buy Atlas c65 true track if the product line was as extensive as the c55, but I'm using Atlas c55 on my new layout. Don't be afraid of the Atlas c55 track's durability; I've used the c55 on portable layouts for several years now, and the track holds up very well.
Like others have mentioned, take the time to check the gauge of your rolling stock, and I also recommend that you use FVM metal low-profile wheelsets right from the beginning. They are outstanding.
Jeff C
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Spookshow
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 13:37:41
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I used Atlas 55 on my most recent layout and, based on my experiences, most likely won't be using it on future layouts.
Cons -
- replacing wheels on locomotives and rolling stock to meet 55's "utra low-profile" needs
- regauging wheels on locomotives and rolling stock to meet 55's "ultra finicky" gauge requirements (turnouts being the main culprit)
- many sectional track pieces requiring that the spikes be filed down to prevent "wheel rumble" (even for ultra low-profile wheels)
- spontaneous failure of the metal strips on the bottom of turnouts that provide the "powered frog" feature
- turnouts causing derailments because the various pieces that make up the slidebar are somewhat loosely joined, allowing some or all of the slidebar to stick up too high
Pros -
Looks wonderful
Apart from my ongoing gripe with "wheel replacement / regauging", all the other problems have been addressed and everything is running fine. Still, way too many annoying glitches along the way for me. That's just been my own personal experience, though. YMMV.
Cheers,
-Mark
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| http://www.spookshow.net/trainstuff.html |
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Country: USA
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drs_rr
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 13:57:44
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My current layout is 100% Atlas code 55, and I recommend that to anyone and everyone I talk with.
I've got roughly 80 turnouts installed so far, and I've had an issue with the points popping off on a couple. Some did in the package, 1 happened while cleaning up some glue after ballasting. I did come up with a way to correct that and also ensure the points get powered at the same time and have had zero problems with those that I did have to fix.
I take my time when installing my track. I very rarely have a derailment, and usaully when I do it is operator error, switch not thrown the right direction, and I have one locomotive that the wheel seems to migrate and has to be regauged, probably going to get a drop of adhesive to lock it in place.
The look of the rail is second to none. Everyone that comes over is impressed with the look of it. I can tell you also when you take photo's it really looks good too.
I use all #7 turnouts except for two #5's that I bought in the very beginning. The first #5 had some issue's from what I've read about the guard rails and such. I wish I would have just went with #7's in that location, not going to replace them at this point, scenery is in and they haven't cause any major problems for me.
Everyone comments on changing the wheel sets to low profiles wheels on Micro Train cars, this is true. The new Atlas and Athearn with the Accumate trucks that come on them don't need changed out, they work fine.
Get an NMRA gauge, ensure all the engine wheels are in gauge, if need be switch cars over to low profile, and take your time installing track.
I have no experience in using the snap track, all I use is the Atlas code 55 flextrack and turnouts.
Have fun with it which ever route you go,
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Dave Salamon
N Scale - Deep River Southern
www.picturetrail.com/salamon
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Edited by - drs_rr on 11/19/2009 13:59:47 |
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Country: USA
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MichaelWinicki
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 14:20:07
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I second all the other positive comments.
I have over 80 switches and hundreds of feet of code 55 flex.
I just love it.
There are those that tie-spacing isn't an issue, that the European spacing found on others isn't an issue. I say, "horse-hockey". :)
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wm3798
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 14:36:45
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To address Spookshow's Cons -
- replacing wheels on locomotives and rolling stock to meet 55's "utra low-profile" needs
Buy new equipment, and this isn't a problem. By new, I mean anything made after about 1990.
- regauging wheels on locomotives and rolling stock to meet 55's "ultra finicky" gauge requirements (turnouts being the main culprit)
Buy an NMRA track and wheel gauge for a couple of bucks, spend about a minute on each locomotive checking and adjusting, and you pretty much never have to worry about it again.
- many sectional track pieces requiring that the spikes be filed down to prevent "wheel rumble" (even for ultra low-profile wheels)
Haven't experienced that. The only newer equipment that I've had rumble are some pre-Walthers Life Like engines. Again, spend a moment to deal with the individual engine, and the track is not the problem. You can either turn the flanges down, or buy some Atlas wheel sets from the parts department and swap them out. No brain science here.
- spontaneous failure of the metal strips on the bottom of turnouts that provide the "powered frog" feature
Haven't experienced this yet, and mine have been installed for about 5 years. A little caution on installation probably goes a long way in this regard.
- turnouts causing derailments because the various pieces that make up the slidebar are somewhat loosely joined, allowing some or all of the slidebar to stick up too high
This problem is almost always caused by the throw devise being installed improperly. If there's too much tension, it will push the point out of alignment. If you allow your throw bar to flex a little, it can maintain adequate pressure without fouling the points.
Can't argue with his pro... the Atlas track looks scrumtrelescent!
Lee
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Mill Street Studios - Custom N Scale Offerings.
www.wmrywesternlines.net |
Edited by - wm3798 on 11/19/2009 14:40:09 |
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rschaffter
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 15:47:54
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quote:
Originally posted by wm3798
- spontaneous failure of the metal strips on the bottom of turnouts that provide the "powered frog" feature
Haven't experienced this yet, and mine have been installed for about 5 years. A little caution on installation probably goes a long way in this regard.
Lee and Mark,
I have had it happen, and it seems to be due to the heat of soldering the connection to the frog. Even ones that do have conductivity have up to 100 Ohms resistance after soldering. I have started soldering on the lead to the frog before I install the turnout, and put a c-clamp on the area where the strip joins the frog while soldering the connection. This seems to have helped.
The ones that I have had fail were successfully powered by soldering a lead directly to the frog.
Otherwise, I have no complaints with the turnouts and flex. The product line is made to the NMRA standards that have existed for 25 years now. I find it much easier to lay than Atlas code 80.
EDIT: There is one quirk I should note; the turnouts are curved slightly. The straight side is curved slightly away from the diverging route. It's virtually unnoticeable once they are installed.
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Cheers,
Rod Schaffter
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C'mon in! Sit a spell...
http://z11.invisionfree.com/N_Scale_Talk/
On your Layout, do what you think is fun. If it doesn't work, fix it and learn from the experience so you will have fun next time. It's your Railroad. |
Edited by - rschaffter on 11/19/2009 15:54:35 |
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Country: USA
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Spookshow
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 16:10:12
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Whatever, Lee. Just because you haven't experienced something doesn't mean that I didn't. As I said, YMMV.
-Mark
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| http://www.spookshow.net/trainstuff.html |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 5085 |
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turbineman
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 16:31:28
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When our N scale Free-mo club got started, we knew we wanted code 55 track and we looked at Atlas and Mico Engineering. What sold us on Atlas, was the availability compared to M.E. There is a very limited selection of track work with M.E....that is, if you can find a dealer that has any in stock
As for Cons with Atlas code 55. I have had 3 turnouts loose their washer under the pivot point near the frogs, which makes the end of the rail stick up, when a wheel runs over the opposite end. Of course I always discoved this, once the turnout was installed and ballasted. The other problem I have had was that on some turnouts, when the switch was thrown away from the vertical wire, coming up through the tie bar, ..the points on the outside of the track tended to raise up, sticking up higher then the stock rail. I think the problem is, there is too much slop in the tie bar/ points area. I should mention I contacted Atlas about the washers falling off, and they said to send in the bad turnouts, and they would replace them, free of charge
Others then those problems mentioned above...we have been happy with the appearence and operation of the Atlas code 55.
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Country: USA
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pomperaugrr
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 16:38:40
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quote:
Originally posted by drs_rr
I've got roughly 80 turnouts installed so far, and I've had an issue with the points popping off on a couple. Some did in the package, 1 happened while cleaning up some glue after ballasting. I did come up with a way to correct that and also ensure the points get powered at the same time and have had zero problems with those that I did have to fix.
Dave, could you share your "fix" for the frog power and power to the points?
Thanks
Eric
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Country: USA
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iain wilkinson
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 18:14:17
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Wow Lee,i think you need to calm down its just a hobby!!Mark was just telling us of his experiences with the Atlas track.I have used Peco track for years and never had to regauge wheels or replace them??I am going to use the Atlas true track next when they eventually get there act together and get some more pieces made.
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Boilerman
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Posted - 11/19/2009 : 19:34:20
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I too am on board wit Atlas Code 55 and have been using it since 2005 and could not be happier, yes I did have the wheel flange problem with some of my old locos and rolling stock.
I was able to disassemble the diesels and chuck up the wheels in a 1/2in. variable speed drill and file down the flanges, took some time but was worth it.
The steam locos were a different issue most of the Con-cor, newer Atlas, Kato and Athern all will run on the Atlas code 55 the ones that I had problems with were the older Bachmann.
Atlas offers more selection of components than any other company, the ability to power the frogs enabling one to run short wheelbase locos through their turnouts with out stalling, that with their lower pricing over the competition and availability make it number one in my book.
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| Boilerman |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 222 |
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