I jumped ship to Atlas Code 55

[ljudice]

I put this decision off, but thanks especially to Lee and a suggestion he made about ground throws, plus some testing, I've placed an order for a ton of Code 55.  I was using Peco code 55, and although it was pretty rugged stuff, it had a number of issues that were annoying me.

The plan is to use the #10's on the main for controlled sidings, crossovers and whatnot and #5's for industrial sidings, yards, etc...

Question is, will I be pulling my hair out soon or be a happy camper...

Lou

http://www.mountainrails.com

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Good for you!!!

Lee's proven it works just fine in a "working" layout, and NOTHING beats it's appearance. I'd hazard to say it even looks better than handlaid stuff, because it has tie plates that are just so tough to do accurately in N.

[Erik W]

Question is, will I be pulling my hair out soon or be a happy camper...

Lou

I laid all of my track 4 years ago or so.  I have 150 feet of Atlas code 55 flex and 39 turnouts, mostly #5s.  I have no problems with the track whatsoever.  I have no derailments and no turnout problems.  I did power the frogs with these:

http://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=38-200-05&Category_Code=3_7&Product_Count=2

I use them as above ground manual turnout throws too.  I recess them into a hole in the layout and then drill a hole through the slide and use a piece of stainless steel wire to connect the slide to the throw bar on the turnout.   These have worked flawlessly for the last 4 years as well.

Erik

[Pomperaugrr]

You will love the Atlas code 55!  It is easy to work with and looks great.  I've been converting everything I have to FVM low profile wheels and love the look and performance of them,  FVM's with Atlas code 55 is a great combination.

What was the turnout throw suggestion Lee made that you are looking at?  I'm still trying to decide on the best approach for manual throws.

Eric


p.s. Erik, can you post a photo of your application with the slide switches?

[tom mann]

and NOTHING beats it's appearance.

Except for ME code 55 and it's smaller spike heads... ;D

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I don't know, I've felt the ME stuff sometimes has marshmellowy ties.

[tom mann]

I don't know, I've felt the ME stuff sometimes has marshmellowy ties.

Yes, ME has QC problems that Atlas doesn't.  Their molds must be getting old.

[wm3798]

It's a method I actually picked up from Ed, who apparently picked it up on a street corner somewhere.

Put a block of homasote down below the surface of the foam, and use a track nail to catch the throw bar.
It drops the mechanism below the rail head, making the Caboose Industry throw look less obtrusive.  It works with either the regular throw or the one with the electrical contacts.

Lee

[chuck geiger]

Make a note when laying the 55 (if you need to make a change or dismantle the layout) use adhesive sparingly. Almost just drops of white glue. It's real hard to get up and just pulls from the ties if you don't. The ties are real brittle. I would reccomend setting the 55 flex with pins and ballasting around the pins (in the center holes) and letting just the ballast hold the track (like in real life). It will come up easier and just soak the track in warm water and light soap to remove the ballast cakes.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Chuck raises a really interesting point.

If you have a "permanent" layout, why glue ANYTHING down?

(I know, there are good reasons for scenery, but I think sometimes we may go overboard)

[wm3798]

Then again, if it's "Permanent", why not glue EVERYTHING down! ;D
Lee

[wcfn100]

That is an intersting point.  Made me realize that in the 28 years I've been in model trains, I've never had a permanent layout.

I don't know if I could ever feel comfortable not using glue.  I was always interesting turning a layout sideways for the first time to make it through a doorway.  After this thread, I'll probably have some sort of dream where I turn the layout and everything falls off (except the track and ballast, I will always glue track as solidly as possible, even in a semi-conscious state).


Jason

[Erik W]

Then again, if it's "Permanent", why not glue EVERYTHING down! ;D
Lee

I agree.  My track is so well glued down, especially after ballasting, that I'd need explosives to get it back off the layout.

Erik

[Sokramiketes]

I don't know, I've felt the ME stuff sometimes has marshmellowy ties.

Yes, ME has QC problems that Atlas doesn't.  Their molds must be getting old.

I don't know, Jerry Britton says the Atlas track has all sorts of QC problems.  And the Frogs expand faster than Magic Water.   

[Erik W]

And the Frogs expand faster than Magic Water.   

You laugh but that s%$t was expanding so fast it nearly flooded my basement.  I nearly had to call in sick and work on the layout all day . . .

Erik