*kkckck* Alpha niner niner, abort abort! *kkckck* George already knows how passionate I get about pushing for realism... obviously the final decision is entirely up to the layout owner. But I wont quit encouraging anyone who is comfortable with their soldering skills to dive right in with C55.
Welcome to the hobby. My wife is a newbie, too. She used some 1/2-inch blueboard (insulation), and put code 80 flex track down with white glue. She used some track nails to hold it while the glue set. The ballast helps keep it in place as well. More blueboard, white foam, and hydrocal make the landscape. Her layout is 27 x 33 inches. (No I don't remember why.) It was a little tricky getting the flex track to meet turnouts. We tried code 55 but had too many problems with flanges. (She still grumbles about having to replace all the track.) Look for the thread "First look at the Layout". When you are modeling 1850s B&O in western Maryland, you have mostly challenges. And yes we are working on link and pin couplers. Shawn Harrison El Lago, Texas
Hey Mark...No prob ! I bought some camonetting. No NMRA Ninjas will find T.H.E Train Trailer and my C80 ...lol. Besides...I have something the NMRA Ninjas never planned on...ROFLMAO !! :tb-biggrin::tb-smile: *All you newbies should know....you dont have to be crazy to post here...but...it helps...LOL* .
Wow...you guys are nuts lol. Anyway, I feel that it is my civic duty to defend Kato Unitrack. I personally like it because it is easy and since I get so precious little time to do a lot of work on my layout with school and kids I feel that I would rather look at a few quick conversion charts and figure out my curves and such than to worry about trying to get them right with flex if I am trying to do side by side curves. Plus (just for you Mark lol) I think the newer Unitrack does an excellent job with adding realism by modeling some of their newer stuff with concrete ties to match what a lot of railways are doing. Kato also makes superelevated curves which takes a lot of the guesswork and fidgeting out of trying to get an accurate superelevated curve. I know that if I was working with flex, I would say to hell with it and redesign my layout, but as it is I managed to fit a double main and a few branches as well as a small intermodal yard into a 4x8. (Ok, ok. So it is just a modified Model Railroader Magazine track plan, but I like it!) P.S. While I love Kato Unitrack, I think Bachmann EZ Track is complete crap and should only be used for maybe tossing up a quick loop of track around the base of a Christmas tree or some other temporary setting. Just my opinion and if anyone actually like this stuff, I have a dozen pieces of 19" radius curves, and about 30-40 pieces of 11.25" radius curves to get rid of!!
A little update. I am going with the code 80 Atlas track. The picture below shows what space I am working with. I desperately want to use the ledge next to the window, but in order to do that I'll need to raise the table level a bit otherwise I'll have a ridiculous incline to get there. The layout itself is going to be a very basic figure 8 with a tunnel and some elevation. The countryside will be Vermont and I am looking all over for either CV or Rutland locos to get started. Thanks again for all your help!
If you are going with Atlas Code 80, I recommend using Peco Code 80 turnouts. They have very reliable mechanisms, will promote reliable running, and their mechanisms will lock in place. In a small layout like yours, you might not need remote control turnout motors, and with Peco turnouts you can just flick the drawbar with the tip of your finger and they will lock into place. They end up looking more realistic than the basic Atlas Code 80 turnouts.
I'm really enjoying this thread. I am in the exact same boat, but only a step behind or so. I'm going for a 30" x 60" layout as that's all that I have space for. Since it's my first layout I am not trying to model any particular railroad, rather just get my feet wet with the hobby. You mentioned the Woodland Scenics foam. Have you tried it yet? I just picked up a couple of the incline starters so I can have an excuse to put a bridge in my layout. Wondering if you've had any success (or experience) with it yet?
Thanks! I did a little early birthday shopping for myself today and picked me up one of these. I will be modeling the beautiful central/western part of Vermont around the track so this is perfect. And the black hole ($$$) has sprung forth and is sucking me deeper and deeper....:tb-hissyfit:
Hmmm. I thought I replied but there ain't nothing there. My post was excellent with a link to a cool picture and everything. I think I will sleep on it tonight and see what shows up in the morning....:mooh:
