Going back to code 80?!

[Dave V]

Certainly the Atlas code 55 shortage will factor in to my plan to eventually replace my code 80 with code 55.  For now I have a layout that operates, so at best I can start stockpiling what 55 I can find.

[Rossford Yard]

What this brings to mind is that whether its our real life autos, our model trains or track, it seems no one comes up with the exact perfect product. 

In N scale track, it might have been ME C55, but the turnouts aren't as DCC friendly and its hardly ever available (at least turnouts)


It might have been Atlas, which is relatively cheap, was available until the Chinese factory kerfuffles, but is a bit less sturdy and has the pizza cutter issues. 

If Peco ever did a true NA style like it did in HO, and in a more scale C55, it might be perfect with its spring action turnouts.  But there don't seem to be any plans.

What is a scale conscious N scaler to do?  What shall we do?

[mmagliaro]

I used code 80 in hidden areas on my previous layout, thinking it would be stronger, tougher, less derailment-prone, etc, all
of which are good ideas in a tunnel.  I was wrong.  At least with the Atlas code 80, the flex is much less stable
and more prone to going narrow or wide in gauge through curves (which is how I was using it).
If I could have that decision back, I would have used sectional Unitrack in the tunnels, especially for the curves.  Bullet-proof,
stable, uniform radius, and very stable track.

[Bsklarski]

Certainly the Atlas code 55 shortage will factor in to my plan to eventually replace my code 80 with code 55.  For now I have a layout that operates, so at best I can start stockpiling what 55 I can find.

Sounds like you should have enough when you start the new layout from a 42" x 90" HCD that you had custom built

[jdcolombo]

What this brings to mind is that whether its our real life autos, our model trains or track, it seems no one comes up with the exact perfect product. 

In N scale track, it might have been ME C55, but the turnouts aren't as DCC friendly and its hardly ever available (at least turnouts)


It might have been Atlas, which is relatively cheap, was available until the Chinese factory kerfuffles, but is a bit less sturdy and has the pizza cutter issues. 

If Peco ever did a true NA style like it did in HO, and in a more scale C55, it might be perfect with its spring action turnouts.  But there don't seem to be any plans.

What is a scale conscious N scaler to do?  What shall we do?

Actually, I think an "almost perfect" combination would be ME Code 55 flextrack combined with custom-built turnouts using Fast-Tracks jigs and ME Code 55 (or even Atlas Code 55) rail.  ME flex is usually available; it doesn't have the clearance issues that Atlas Code 55 flex does.  Neither do turnouts made with Fast-Tracks jigs, since there are no spike heads on either side of the rail.  The problem is turnout cost - you can buy custom-made turnouts for about $30 each (twice what you'd pay for an Atlas turnout), or buy the jigs you need and roll your own (the jigs are not inexpensive).  I actually thought about going this route (and buying the switches already-made), but couldn't deal with the cost issues.

If you were really adventurous, what you'd do is handlay Code 40 rail using wood ties and PC board ties; and use Fast-Tracks jigs to make all your turnouts with Code 40 rail.  I don't have the time or inclination to do that.

John C.

[peteski]

Code 55 vs. code 80. Take 7,340,813!!!!!!!!

I simply started this as a question of why someone who build a nice layout using c55 track would wish that he used c80 instead. Honest!  That's all I was interested in.  But the thread has evolved....    I should have known.... 

[GaryHinshaw]

Yes, you should have known... 

[MichaelWinicki]

I gotta think the Atlas code 55 crisis is going to pass at some point.

[John]

I gotta think the Atlas code 55 crisis is going to pass at some point.

what crisis --- MB Klein has plenty for sale .. other shops may also

[C855B]

what crisis --- MB Klein has plenty for sale .. other shops may also

Try building a MRR with nothing but curved turnouts. I dare ya'. 

[Ian MacMillan]

Try building a MRR with nothing but curved turnouts. I dare ya'. 

I am still stocking piling C55 for my eventual new home layout and Iam having no issues finding the turnouts or flex that I need. Granted if I wanted 20 of each I would not be able to do it right now, but the 5-10 here and there, and the packs of 25 flex I am not having an issue with. I know Atlas is having some production issues with this right now, but its not like its some mystery product right now. 

[robert3985]

Actually, I think an "almost perfect" combination would be ME Code 55 flextrack combined with custom-built turnouts using Fast-Tracks jigs and ME Code 55 (or even Atlas Code 55) rail.  ME flex is usually available; it doesn't have the clearance issues that Atlas Code 55 flex does.  Neither do turnouts made with Fast-Tracks jigs, since there are no spike heads on either side of the rail.  The problem is turnout cost - you can buy custom-made turnouts for about $30 each (twice what you'd pay for an Atlas turnout), or buy the jigs you need and roll your own (the jigs are not inexpensive).  I actually thought about going this route (and buying the switches already-made), but couldn't deal with the cost issues.

If you were really adventurous, what you'd do is handlay Code 40 rail using wood ties and PC board ties; and use Fast-Tracks jigs to make all your turnouts with Code 40 rail.  I don't have the time or inclination to do that.

John C.

It's important for readers to know that as I'm writing this, I've got a big smile on my face and a jovial attitude because I really love working on N scale track! Actually, using ME flex and hand-laying your turnouts is a pretty good thing, and has been the "ideal" solution for me since the early 80's when I used Railcraft code 70 and hand laid code 70 turnouts (it was necessary...I couldn't find any commercially available code 70 turnouts although I think Shinohara offered them at that time...but I didn't know it).

However, and I'm going to capitalize this...YOU DO NOT NEED EXPENSIVE FAST TRACK JIGS AND FIXTURES TO MAKE TURNOUTS. Everybody got that?  I've never used any fixtures, just my Dremel, my flush cutters, my bench grinder, two thin metal straight edges, a small assortment of files, a couple of pairs of pliers and tweezers, Railcraft 3-point gauges, and two NMRA N-scale clearance gauges.  Oh...and an old 30W Archer soldering iron with a wedge tip.  Except for the Railcraft (now Micro Engineering) 3-point gauges, you've probably got all of the above at your workbench or in your garage.

I use downloadable (for free from Proto87stores and Fast Tracks) turnout PDF's, printed out on my Epson printer at 100%, cut them out, tape them to a flat 1X4 about a foot long, and go to work.  Nobody needs expensive jigs and fixtures to roll your own turnouts (am I repeating myself?). 

All you have to know is how to cut and file rail, how to solder, and how a turnout works.

If I don't group a bunch of turnouts together (I like to do that) into a monolithic unit, I can build a #8 code 55 in about an hour.  A little less for a code 40 and I don't build code 70 turnouts any more.  Since I bought all of my materials years ago, they cost me about $1.25 each.  If you buy all the materials today, they're gonna cost you about a dollar more per turnout (and...if you don't use expensive jigs and fixtures).

Here's a photo of three code 55 turnouts (built as a monolithic unit) being built by me on my paper template...one #4wye and two #8's...


I also hand-lay code 40 trackage on my Park City Branch (both track and turnouts), but I prefer the way Railcraft (if you can still find it) or ME code 40 flex looks over plain hand-laid trackage because of its fine spikehead details.  PCB hand-laid track looks "bare" to me without tie plates and spike heads.

Here's a photo of my code 40 trackage at the Park City Yard (in Echo) adjacent to the coaling facility.


From a cost standpoint, hand laid code 40 trackage (not turnouts) is way more expensive than ME flex.  Both wood and PCB ties really jack the cost up.  Of course, it's fully pizza cutter compatible since there are no spikehead details whatsoever to deal with.  If you want to detail it (and make it even more expensive) Proto87Stores has NS superdetailing frets of spike and tieplate details for N-scale code 40 (not for code 55) which will not interfere with pizza cutters.

It's a lot easier to just use my Railcraft (or ME when I run out of my Railcraft) code 40 flex because I don't have any pizza cutters running on my layout to worry about.

For the REALLY insane out there, there is always code 30 "ribbon rail" that is just flat wire, with no "rail" profiles.  Here's a photo of my good friend Gregg's code 30, unpainted, unweathered trackwork on his Nn3 RGS which fills his entire basement.


Here's another shot of his trackwork with motive power on it.


Since I took these photos on Gregg's layout, he's painted, ballasted and weathered some of his track.  I don't notice at all that the rail is flat...it's beyond the resolution of my eyeballs!! He puts a "blob" of solder on his PCB ties to support the rail, since the top and bottom are not flat, but rounded.  I also don't notice them either...even in my photos after the scenery is done.

You'll also notice that Gregg's turnouts are stub switches.  His stuff runs flawlessly.

For those of you who think that the height of the rail is really noticeable if you get really close and/or take really detailed, close up photos from the side, here's a really really close up of Railcraft code 70 rail that's been painted, ballasted and weathered.  Does the height bug you?  I don't even notice it. 
 

Now, those of you who think I'm talking "fine scale" here...I'm not.  That would involve new flanges on everything I own, plus all the turnouts would have to be re-laid to proto160 clearances.  My stuff is just plain old NMRA standards (clearances), with a few of my own standards thrown in that make turnouts look more prototypical such as proper length frogs, guard rails and closure points.

There are two main reasons to roll your own turnouts.  First, they're a whole lot cheaper, so you can put that extra money into whatever else you like in your life.  Second, making your own really opens up what you can do with your layout in your given space.  For instance, I needed a center siding arrangement on a curve, so I built two #6's and a curved #8 which worked perfectly for my space.  I couldn't have done that with commercially available turnouts.  The other side of the center siding required two #8's and one #4 Wye...I also couldn't have done that with commercially available code 55 turnouts.

Of course I realize that there are many out there who could not care less about detailed trackwork.  This post isn't for them, but for those of you who may be holding back building your own turnouts because you think you gotta buy expensive jigs and fixtures before you make a single turnout.  Nope...just make 'em like I do...on paper templates, and remember, you'll have about three failures before you get one that works and looks good.  Learning "the ropes" takes on-hands experience.

You also won't worry about whether or not the factories in China have been bought or sold or burnt down or whatever.  You can just make your own turnouts, and...your own track if you have to.  Or, you can use ME flex, which is made here in the good, ol' USA, instead of stuff made by slave labor in Communist China. (  )

[C855B]

I am still stocking piling C55 for my eventual new home layout and Iam having no issues finding the turnouts or flex that I need.

Hmm. Flex isn't a problem; I use ME anyway. But for the Atlas switches, all of my regular (and not regular) online shops are out, the 4 LHS I visit have been out for months (I cleaned one of 'em out), and the one or two who bring Atlas 55 to our local shows were out, too. I started calling around to LHS within a 10-hour drive (!!!) and am getting responses like, "Oh, Atlas track? I'd love to help you but those SOBs have strangled the market and I'm not happy!"

I'm not panicking yet nor am going to start hoarding because I'm months away from putting down actual track, but, still, it's a little disconcerting that the reserves are dwindling and we're hearing little about when to expect the problem to be fixed.

[Kisatchie]

I have a question about Micro Engineering flex track. Is it hard to flex... like as in stiff as a board? I'd prefer to use it rather than Atlas code 55 flex.


Hmm... I'd prefer to be
in Borneo right now...

[Scottl]

Bob, thanks for more details on turnout construction.  Between your posts, Gary's and M.C. (and a few others), I'm going to try handlaid turnouts on my next layout (which is perhaps not far off.... ). 

Track is clearly a personal preference- we are fortunate that there are a wide range of options in n scale these days.