Hi all, I am looking to build my new layout with code 70 rail (Micro Engineering) to give a better impression of a light railed shortline railroad. My only concern is about equipment. So my question to the experts is will the majority of HO equipment operate on code 70 rail without tracking problems? I know some of the older deep flanged stuff will not, but I will be operating the more current stuff on the market. Thanks for any help!
Hi Matt, I have a little experience working with Micro Engineering code 70 track. I had no problems with the flextrack as far as installation and running trains go. The switches are really nice too except that the cast frogs are a little coarse and protruded above the railhead just slightly, enough to cause wheels to catch and pause slightly until the slack in the couplers was pulled tight and the car was pulled through. I was able to fix this pretty easily with a big 10" mill file after the switches were installed. Also, the clearance through the frog and guardrails is pretty tight (accurate) so you've got to have all your engines and rolling stock gauged properly. The only engines I had that needed adjustments were from Bachmann (a 4-6-0 and GE 44 ton diesel), all my Atlas and Proto 2000 models had no problems. The detailing (tie plates, spike heads etc) is also really nice. Despite the initial adjustments needed I intend to use ME code 70 track for my next project. -Cody BTW: I should mention that the switch frogs are isolated so a little extra wiring might be needed, I left mine dead and had no troubles with Bo-Bo diesels but it stopped my four-wheel diesels and 0-6-0 dead.
I've even laid code 55 track at my H0 Diamond Valley module. No problems. As long as there's no ballast in the flangeway. :angel: Wolfgang
Turnout in front to the right is scratchbuilt of code 55 rail. The track before and behind the relay box is code 83. All other track is code 70. You can recognize it? Wolfgang
As long as the wheel profile on your equipment is RP25 - Code 110 or better then you'll have no problems. I have handlaid code 70 and code 55 rail with no problems with the standard wheel profiles available today - however if you have some older equipment or ex-train set stock with cookie-cutter wheel profiles then you may have a problem. Regards Tim
