Atlas Code 55 vs. ME Code 55

[mike_lawyer]

Hey guys -

I am finally back to N-scale after about a 6 year hiatus (move, family, etc.).  I am planning a nice size N-scale layout, and I am debating between using Atlas Code 55 track and ME Code 55 track.  I used Atlas Code 55 on my previous layout and liked it, never had any problems with it.  I am leaning towards using it again, but ME Code 55 interests me as well.  For turnouts, I am debating between Atlas C55 turnouts or doing my own with fast tracks.  If I do fast tracks, I basically have to use ME C55 because fast tracks uses ME rail.

For anyone who has experienced both, what are the pros and cons of each one?  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

Mike

[jagged ben]

You could use FastTracks with Atlas rail if you wanted.  You could also join ME rail to Atlas track.

The big difference between Atlas and ME flex is that ME holds its shape when you bend it.  I consider this a plus, although it is a bit of extra work to adjust all the ties to be straight.

[nickelplate759]

They're both good, in my opinion. I used both on my layout.   I needed the variety of turnout shapes that Atlas makes, so ME wasn't viable for some parts of the layout.   That said, they look different enough from each other that I didn't want to visibly mix-and-match, so my hidden track is ME, and my visible track is Atlas.

That said, here are some differences I noted.

The ME point mechanism seems a little more fragile (I broke a couple).
The Atlas turnout electrical conductivity jumpers are a little catch-as-can, at least on the older turnouts.  I haven't had any problems with the latest production.  Test them before you put them on the layout!

About half of my ME turnouts were vertically bowed from the factory, and one was horizontally bowed and thus out of gauge through the points (fixable).
Fixable (glue it down, but not the moving parts!).

All in all, I had slightly less trouble with the Atlas turnouts, but both need attention to get them to work well.
You'll need to attach feeders to either turnout.

The plastic that ME uses on their track doesn't melt quite as fast as the plastic as Atlas uses.  This is very nice when soldering feeders!

I found it easier to shape easements with the Atlas flex track than with ME, but succeeded with both.   Working with the two styles of flex track is very different - buy a couple of pieces of each to try and see which you like best.  Either way, you'll want something like Ribbon Rail alignment gauges to ensure straight track - I also used one for my minimum radius curves.

[C855B]

I'm using ME on my over-the-top layout project. I'm mostly OK with it. I have to be, I bought enough to do the whole layout, keeping me busy over the next several years. Four reasons for the ME decision - first, availability of both Atlas and ME has been so sporadic over the past 10 years it was quite clear it wasn't going to be possible to buy "as needed," and Atlas had the longest outage. Second in favor of ME, it is a local company. Not that this does anything for me, other than supporting neighbors. Third is Code 40, which I am using in yards, industrial, sidings and branchlines. Fourth was price. Given the quantity involved, ME was several hundred less in the end.

This is with Atlas turnouts, #10s and #7s. That decision would have biased towards ME if they still made their #8. The difference in appearance between ME flex and Atlas turnouts is not that stark, at least to me. I'm holding my nose on using C55 turnouts with C40, although the long plan is to consider FastTracks jigs and Proto87 detail bits for building C40 turnouts in "feature" areas.

My least favorite thing about the ME is the difficulty in getting the kinks out, and starting with straight rail would save a lot of work. I'm modeling Class I heavy duty mainline, and wavy straights are not going to do. I use multiple techniques to smooth the rail, including Tracksetta alignment templates. There's nothing like the glint from truly straight rail. Second least favorite task is attaching feeders. I have a technique down, but all the handling gets back into de-kinking the track a second or third (or fourth or fifth) time.

IF I were to start over, Central Valley tie strips would be seriously considered. I think it would go down much faster, and there would be a lot less prep time straightening rail. Feeders would be much easier, too - soldering to bare rail then pressing into the ties would just save so much time and angst. My main problem with CV tie strips is they are "precisely modeled" after a specific section of ex-SP secondary mainline, with a short tie every so often. That's just not what you find on heavy mains. Since CV ties are not in the plan, I haven't checked for appearance contrast against Atlas turnouts.

[mark.hinds]

Note that Atlas code 55 models 8.5-foot-long ties, and ME code 55 models 9-foot-long ties.  On my prototype, the former is typical of the 1950s and earlier, and the latter of the more modern era.  Also, the tie spacing differs, with Atlas being close to my prototype's 24 ties per 39 feet of mainline rail (Atlas has about 24 ties, and ME has about 22 ties per scale 39 feet of rail). 



MH

[BCR 570]

I tried both and went with the Atlas Code 55 for reasons already mentioned.  I found it easier to lay easements with it, and didn't have to straighten all the ties (that was going to be tedious).

I went with Atlas Code 55 turnouts also for the options offered including #5, #7, and wyes.  I learned to inspect and test them prior to installation as I have had live frogs and dead closure rails out of the package.  A few lost their point rails.  I sent all the defective ones back; recent production seems better.  They can also be bowed in the middle, which can be corrected when gluing down.

Having said all this, I have now installed something like 60 turnouts and the vast majority are working well, and I have yet to do any of the fine tuning normally associated with turnout installation for any brand.  I should also perhaps mention that I modified all of my turnouts to centre throw (ie. throw wire between the rails).

Good luck with your track-laying!

Tim

[NorsemanJack]

I've used both and prefer Atlas due to its "springiness."  Easier to achieve both smooth curves and straight straights.  (disclaimer: I'm now all Unitrack so no bias or dog in this discussion)

[bdennis]

I have used both ME and Atlas flex. I much much prefer the Atlas Code 55 due to its flexibility and ease of use to install. Am also using Atlas Code55 turnouts in staging and have built my own FastTracks turnouts. Have built 94 turnouts so far (8 to go) and have it well and truly down pat. I have used both ME and Atlas Code55 track to build the turnouts. I think the ME rail is softer but both are easy to work with and both fix the jigs.

[RBrodzinsky]

The big thing to remember here is if you have older locos or rolling stock any large flange wheels (aka pizza cutters) will sound horrible on the Atlas, and could derail.

[mike_lawyer]

I have used both ME and Atlas flex. I much much prefer the Atlas Code 55 due to its flexibility and ease of use to install. Am also using Atlas Code55 turnouts in staging and have built my own FastTracks turnouts. Have built 94 turnouts so far (8 to go) and have it well and truly down pat. I have used both ME and Atlas Code55 track to build the turnouts. I think the ME rail is softer but both are easy to work with and both fix the jigs.

Just out of curiosity, where do you buy just Atlas rail for the fast track jigs?

[Scottl]

Scrap Atlas flex track pieces are enough for my turnout construction.  The ties come off easily.

[Mike Madonna]

Note that Atlas code 55 models 8.5-foot-long ties, and ME code 55 models 9-foot-long ties.  On my prototype, the former is typical of the 1950s and earlier, and the latter of the more modern era.  Also, the tie spacing differs, with Atlas being close to my prototype's 24 ties per 39 feet of mainline rail (Atlas has about 24 ties, and ME has about 22 ties per scale 39 feet of rail). 



MH

Mark,
Great prototype info! Debating the same regarding Atlas and ME track. Plan to do ME Code 40 in yards, sidings, etc. Appreciate the "Common Standards" drawing 

[bdennis]

Just out of curiosity, where do you buy just Atlas rail for the fast track jigs?

Per ScottL.
I just use scrap flex track.. Or cut up new flex if I have run out of shorter pieces.

[jdcolombo]

I used all Atlas Code 55 for my layout, which includes about 80 turnouts, mostly Atlas #7's with a few #5's.  Love the look of the flex, and I prefer the "springy" nature of Atlas flex to the stiff ME - I find it easier to lay smooth curves and transitions with springy track.

As for the turnouts - they are OK, but there is no question that if I had it all to do over again, I'd build the turnouts from scratch.  I have a #6 Fast Tracks jig, a point form tool, and a stock-aid tool.  I made several #6's using these tools for my layout in switching areas, and then did a few #4's using just a paper template (from the Fast Tracks web site).  These hand-made turnouts outperform the Atlas turnouts by such a wide margin they aren't even in the same galaxy.  Engines and rolling stock literally glide through the hand-laid turnouts; I have an Athearn Big Boy that will negotiate my hand-laid #4 without a single problem, but has trouble getting through an Atlas #5.  Honestly, it's hard to describe (or believe) the difference until you see it.  And BTW, I used the ME Code 55 rail supplied by Fast Tracks, and it mated just fine with the Atlas flex.  But I also stripped a couple of pieces of Atlas flex just to see if that would also work, and it did.

Yes, it's time consuming, particularly if you are doing a relatively large layout with a lot of turnouts.  And it takes about 4 tries to get the techniques down and to produce a really good one.  But if you ARE doing a lot, you can actually save money going the hand-laid route, and there is simply no comparison in performance.  My only advice is to use bulk wood ties instead of the pre-cut tie kits from Fast Tracks, and if you REALLY want to save cash, you can even cut your PC board ties yourself (I used the Fast Tracks PC board ties, both for "regular" ties as needed, and the slightly wider throwbar tie; I bought unstained wood ties from Clover House for everything else).

John C.

[bbussey]

Just out of curiosity, where do you buy just Atlas rail for the fast track jigs?

Just buy Atlas flex track and slide the ties off the rails.