My Test Track This is my test of Micro Engineering and Peco code 55 track. These were the only two code 55 types available at the time. I made this loop to test the two types. The close tie spacing is Micro Engineering (at the top - inner loop); the wider tie spacing is Peco (at the bottom - outer loop). I went with the Peco because of the erratic availability of Micro Engineering at the time and I also did have a problem with operating on the ME turnout. This was around 1999 or so. After all this, I did not discover the need to shim the frogs on the Peco turnouts until I had already committed myself to 225 turnouts. So it goes. I would suggest that you make your own test. At least test the final two choices if not all types. My two cents.
How are you handling your track that you need to worry about how "robust" it is? Geez, unless you're seriously mistreating it, this isn't even an issue.
Atlas Code 55. I like the way they look. Huge selection of radii and lengths. Large selection of turnouts. Flextrack easy to work with. I use Tortoises, so I can't comment on the under the table switch machines from Atlas.
I looked at All three of the track solutions: Peco Atlas Micro Engineering I did not chose Atlas Code 55 because of all the problems and issues with the #5 turnouts, the initial problems with track gauge and the lack of enough supporting product at that time. A lot of this has been corrected at this time, but timing is everything. I used Peco Code 55 because it did not have wheel issues and was allowed on NTrak modules. I also used the Peco turnouts and was not happy with the need to shim the turnouts to reduce the wheel wobble and other problems with the frog area. So I did tune up the turnouts so there were not issues, but that would be too much work on top of the price for a personal layout. I decided to go with Micro Engineering because the track was good looking, and stiffer than the Atlas, could be interfaced with Atlas products if needed, and it also came in more varieties than anyone else. For all the ballywho about Atlas Code 55, why is it only available in one style. It was the bridge track that sold me on Micro Engineering. Next, I decided to look at turnouts and I did not like the Micro Engineering turnouts or the Altas or Peco turnouts. So I thought about Trout Creek Engineering and their BK Enterprises hand laid turnouts, and then I came across Fast Tracks. I was hesitant at first, so I bought a couple of pre made units off of ebay. They were spectacular! So I decided to take a shot at hand laying turnouts. I have about 10 fixtures. I will admit the first couple were not so great, but made for a great abandoned trackage. But soon, they were very easy to make and very tight and flawless performing. I even went as far as to look at doing industry track and branch line track using Micro Engineering Code 40 track again with hand laid turnouts. It is a bit of extra work for the turnouts, but you have so much more selection with the Fast Tracks fixtures, I do not think I will ever go back to commercially manufactured turnouts again. I know you are starting out, so if you wanted to, you can use Atlas Code 55 turnouts with Micro Engineering Coder 55 track to get started. And you could get a few of the pre-made Fast Tracks turnouts for just a little more than a Peco turnout on ebay. Just a few ideas for you.......
This has all been VERY helpful!! I think I have decided to order some initial track to play with from bigdiscounttrains (Thanks metro red!) and see how the ME code55 pre-weathered works for me. Ideally I'd like to build an end section of my modular and just lay down a kidney-bean of track with a turnout or two.... play with it a bit. I don't mind the idea of stiff track because I'll be working some pretty basic curves, and I find that the stiffer the track the easier time I have gluing it. Superelevation is a must as well, so I'll try the .020 styrene trick too! Now I know the differences between vendors, I really like the ME and Atlas tie spacing more than the Peco so that's solidifying my choice right there. Now where am I going to run all my old cool pizza-cutter Minitrix stuff?
After evaluating Atlas, Peco, and Micro Engineering, I chose Micro Engineering code 55 wood tie flex track (unweathered) and Atlas code 55 switches. I do recommend trying samples of them all before committing to one path, as each have their advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion: ME c55 flex track looks the best, runs the best, and I like how it stays put after you bend a curve into it. Makes laying long sections easier. ME c55 bridge flex track has no rival. It's the only game in town, but it's great stuff. Atlas c55 switches mate well with the ME track, are easier to throw with my turnout mechanism of choice (Fast-Tracks Bullfrogs). ME switches are sometimes hard to find, more expensive, and mine (#6) ran less smoothly than Atlas switches (#5). I initially chose ME switches, but found the Atlas c55 switches easier to work with, especially with soldering the wire to power the frogs. Peco has ultra smooth operation, but does not mate as easily with non Peco stuff and is European prototype. Atlas flex track is very close to ME track, but I found it less robust. I did not have any trouble running stuff on it. I use Micro Engineering rail joiners (insulating and non insulating), and some tiny track spikes I obtained from and packaged by Fast-Tracks (I think they are also made by ME). I like to spike the track down. I also use Homabed road bed, and masonite spline subroadbed. I have put low profile wheels on all of my rolling stock if it did not come with them intially. I don't have any "vintage" locomotives, all of my stuff was made in the 1990s or later. I will run a fair amount of steam. I run DC, not DCC at this point, FWIW. Good luck! Your mileage may vary!
Hello. If You dont plan to assemble Your own turnouts through Conductors, the best solution - use ME Code 55 flex (Atlas C55 flexes now are outstock everywhere) and Atlas Code 55 turnouts. For Code 55 only low profile wheels will fit. You can use Atlas or InterMountain low profile metallic wheels (MT - i dont know). BE CAREFUL! FoxWalley Extra-low profile wheels are very narrow and with flange, which is much less than depth of Atlas's turnout frogs. Cars can turn over or will force whole train for springing as accordion! This fact redices realism significantly! Dont use it! NOTE: Atlas C55 track require very flat roadbed milling! This is very sensitive track to any small bumps. ------ Thanks, Vadim.
My track choices: Micro Engineering code 55 concrete tie (mainline) Micro Engineering code 55 wood tie (sidings & industrial tracks) Atlas code 55 turnouts (#10 mainline, #7 elsewhere) I went with the weathered rail on the ME track, however the weathering has somewhet worn off in the last year and it now looks more like the old brass track rather than nice dark, weathered rail. Nothing some paint pens can't fix. I had originally planned on using Atlas code 55 flex all around, but they do not make a concrete tie product and I needed that for my CSX prototype. At first, I was scared of using "stiff" flex track like ME since I was used to Atlas "springy" flex on previous layouts. However, after using the stiff stuff, I will never go back. Very easy to pre-bend and lay curves and no rail joiners needed (using the Jim Riesling method). Jamie
