Is It Dumb to Mix Atlas and Micro Engineering Code 55 Track?

[Kisatchie]

After experimenting with Micro Engineering flex track, I find I have trouble manually getting curves to come out right. I suppose I could order some "Sweepsticks" to make the radii I'll eventually need, but if that doesn't work, I plan on using ME flex track for straight trackage, and I'll use Atlas flex track for the curves. The slight difference in appearance of the track (once ballasted) wouldn't bother me.

Still, I wonder if this is a dumb (or worse, BAD) idea. Anyone here do what I'm likely to do once I can afford my dream layout?


Hmm... I'm handlaying
T Guage (1:450 scale)
track. And you're having
problems with gigantic
N scale track...?

[Denver Road Doug]

Doesn't matter too much.   If you like ME track, keep practicing working with it.    Once you get the process down it's not bad at all.    AND, easier to weather since you can fit it to the route, then take it to the bench or outside to paint.

But mixing it isn't a bad thing.

[Cajonpassfan]

Kis, funny,  I find the ME flex easier to work with in that it holds its shape once bent. I would recommend you get some "Tracksetta" templates; they are (or used to be?) available in a number of radii. I use them for both Code 55 and 40 to get a nice, consistent radius curve. Work the inside of the curve with your thumbs and make sure the gapped tie base is on the outside. Your thumbs may bleed a little, but hey, that's a small price to pay for nice trackwork
Have fun!
Otto K.

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't think it's dumb or bad... I'm just not sure why do it?  Other than not having access to Atlas flex when it comes time to obtain a large quantity of it. 

[sizemore]

Using them together should have no issues. It really comes down to preference and cost. Trying to save dineros, go Atlas. If you're worried about looks, go ME. Both have a problem with supply. On the Atlas side its a supply chain issue, on the ME side its the typical LHS doesnt get enough.

The S.

[davefoxx]

Kiz,

As the others have pointed out, there's no bad reason to mix Atlas and ME flextrack.  I've done it on my layout for two reasons.  First, if you want "bridge track," you'll need to go ME (unless you build it yourself).  I used Atlas Code 55 primarily on my layout, except for the bridge track on a wooden trestle, until last night.  Which brings me to my second reason.  I couldn't get Atlas flex for a small expansion I completed this week.  I ordered and substituted a few pieces of ME flex to complete this.

Like you, I would much prefer to work with Atlas flex than ME.  While some guys like that ME holds its shape, I find it frustrating to get it to the right shape without the ties getting out of place and even leaving gaps in the ties where the tie strip has "walked" down the rails.  Then I have to work the ties back into place.  Then I have to finesse the shape again.  Then I have to work the ties back into place.  Then I have to finesse the shape again.  See the pattern?  With Atlas, it bends into its own smooth curve, and I can install it in a fraction of the time it takes me to work with a piece of ME flex.  ME flex is not impossible for me, but Atlas is much easier for me.

DFF

[wmcbride]

I agree the key to working with ME flex is to get some track templates. I have some metal (aluminum) ones (Ribbonrail? Something from MB Klein) and each is short say 4-5 inches long. I just put them between the rails and slide them along, forming the ME flex to the template. Then it's just a matter of a rail nipper to align the ends of each rail and affix it to the next piece of track. The whole forming process just takes a minute or maybe two for a piece of flex.

I have used both Atlas and ME 55 flex. The ME flex was always stiff and hard to form -- until I started using the templates.

[nkalanaga]

The only "problem" I can see is that the tie length may be different.  While railroads can, and do, use different tie lengths, most don't switch back and forth on straight vs curved track.  On the other hand, if you're freelancing, there's no reason your road couldn't do that, and you may even find a valid engineering excuse for doing it.

As for working together, as the others have said, they'll be fine.  I've never used Atlas code 55, as it wasn't made when I laid my track.  All of mine is either ME or handlaid.  One thing you might want to check is the tie thickness.  You might have to shim one of the other to get the tops of the rails even, or risk vertical kinks at the joints.  I had to do that between ME flex and some ME turnouts, and anywhere I switched from ME flex to ME wooden ties, so it isn't just an issue where one mixes two brands.

[mmyers]

I'm building a couple of oNetrak modules with ME code 55 track. That's kind of mixing as the rest of the club's oNetrak modules have Atlas code 55. We'll see...

Martin Myers

[nkalanaga]

OPINION:  "Dumb" is not building your layout because other people might not like the way you did it.  The point is to have fun.  If you want to be different, that's your right, whether the "experts" like the results or not.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I really like ME track because you can make ratty industrial track easily by removing a few of the spacers and varying the tie spacing and angle. Atlas is very uniform and looks great for mainlines.

I plan on using Atlas for mainlines, ME for yards and ME C40 for industrial spurs.

[chuck geiger]

This is the first time I have ever used Code 55 for the mainline and another brand other than Atlas.
This is ME Code 55 non-weathered. It's stiff and non bendable until you shape it to the curve. This
isn't even glued down, just pinned after shaping and I like it. Going to use Atlas C-55 turnouts with
the ME track. I like the bridge flex, makes trestles and bridges so much easier. (Crummy cell phone
picture).


https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=atlas+code+5+wheel+flange+issues&spell=1

[Kisatchie]

Thanks, everyone, for all the replies.

I'll try curving the ME track with Sweepsticks and/or Tracksetta templates first, and if that turns out to be too much for me (I have very sensitive fingers), then I'll use Atlas flex for the curves.


Hmm... with those sensitive
fingers, Kiz ought to be
able to pick out better
bananas for me when he
goes grocery shopping...

[nkalanaga]

If you have sensitive fingers, the ME can be a pain - literally.  Many of my pieces had sharp edges on the ends of the ties and I did manage to draw blood a few times.  It wasn't a case of cutting my finger, but rather wearing holes in them, from repeatedly working my way along the tie edges, getting a nice smooth curve.  The templates weren't much use to me, because most of my curves are freestyle, so everything had to bent to fit.

If you can find some thin, but tough, "indoor work gloves", designed for machine work, they might help.  Using the templates would probably also be a big help.

[Kisatchie]

If you have sensitive fingers, the ME can be a pain - literally.  Many of my pieces had sharp edges on the ends of the ties and I did manage to draw blood a few times.  It wasn't a case of cutting my finger, but rather wearing holes in them, from repeatedly working my way along the tie edges, getting a nice smooth curve....

I knew I shoulda put a  after the sensitive fingers remark. My fingers aren't super sensitive. I was just thinking of doing what you said in the above quote, and that sort of put a damper on my desire to fight the track...


Hmm... Kiz doesn't
hesitate to fight with
me...