Here we go again !!!! I was talked into the Atlas Code 55 pretty much here, and then saw the selection of switches and with both feet jumped into and went to Code 55 over Code 80. But...I'll tell you what I am getting dawg on tired of worrying about every potential purchase I make being able to run on Code 55. Will the Fleischmann European type Steamers, you know, Black with Red Wheels and Frames, will they run on Atlas Code 55 ???? Darn you ATLAS, LOL ! why didnt you make your Code 55 to run all wheels. Or, make the same switches in Code 80 ? Seems like there is always some kind of hitch. The Atlas Code 55 looks great, switches...great, but those durn spikes. I know, sand em off, or go for M.E., LOL ! YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fatalxsunrider43
A better question would be, why don't the locomotive/rolling stock manufacturers build their products to run on code 55 track?
Unless you have several Fleischmann steam locomotives (which I suspect you do, judging by the post), there should be no real problem. If you don't, why not buy from other manufacturers? Just curious, not bashing............I've swapped out lotsa deep-flange wheelsets when I got code 55 and code 40, so I feel your pain. But, the plus side on the wheelset-swap is that it improves the appearance.
Actually I do not have any Fleischmann euro locs yet, but they sure do look good. I do not want to buy them if they wont run on the Code 55. I think this Wheel problem on the Code 55 so far only exists with my Minitrix K4 & Decapod, which they wil have to be modified thru grinding, or sanding the wheels, doesnt sound too good for the motor, metal particles getting into the motor magnets, unless the mod is done un-assembled. Anyways, I'd like to think if M.E. takes flanges into consideration, Atlas would too....ay ? LOL !! Oh well ! fatalxsunrider43
It's not Atlas's fault it's the other manufactures. If the wheels meet NMRA standards it will run on Atlas 55. Perhaps you should look into using Peco 55 track as it looks better then code 80 and it's pizza cutter friendly.
its almost 2011 shouldnt the pizza cutter be in the kitchen drawer? all my locos are newer kato and atlas and all run fine on the clubs c55,. 3 M/T 60 foot box cars click on the spikes
Yes, it will take a changing of wheels on cars, thats not a real challenge. Hopefully all the loc's made in the last 5 years will work. I think the only locos I have that are outside of the time frame are the Minintrix. Its just a fact that I will accept with the Code 55 and that is I gotta make sure FIRST that it will run on it. And yes, the manufacturers could all trade notes and be within some standards for the purchasers good, and I suppose NMRA tries to do that, i.e. DCC. Yes, it is a new day in N scale and wheels have changed and wont return to Pizza. So, ATLAS, Code 55 here I am to stay. I just gotta quite looking backawards ! LOL fatalxsunrider43
Any Atlas or Kato locos made within the past 15 years will run on Atlas 55. The only exception I had was Life-Like GP60 but I solved that by swapping the whole truck with Atlas trucks and they are also closer to the prototype then the life-like's. When Atlas first came out with code 55 I was in the planning stages for a new layout and was so impressed with it's looks I was sold right away. I quickly replaced all my MT wheels with MT low pro's. Now that there are very good metal wheels out I'm regretting investing so heavily in the MT wheels. Anyway I'm slowly starting to change over to metal wheels, especially on Atlas cars.
You've hit the nail on the head there as far as foreign equipment like Fleischmann is concerned, Atlas track is about as well known and used outside the U.S. as Tomix track is outside of Japan. The most popular track outside the U.S. internationally would probably be Peco. I have a few Fleischmann and other European locos and they won't run on my piece of Atlas C55 I use as a test track. The European manufacturers still seem to have the idea that N scale trains will fall off the track unless they have flanges that would look oversize on HO equipment.
Atlas code 55 is within NMRA spec. The offending wheels aren't. But then again, I've been saying that for years. Jamie
I wonder if the Euro Manufacturers will ever recognize NMRA standards. Most of the Fleischmann Steamers look awesome but because of the pizza ria wheels, they are not purchased by many folks who might if the wheels were Code 55 friendly. I'd love to have some of those Black & Red beauty's, but to sit on the shelf and look pretty, cannot afford it. Maybe someday things will be standard. fatalxsunrider43
Just looking at the pictures at the Fleischmann website tells me no they won't. Even the flanges on their latest locos are huge. I think if you want to run code 55 you will have to use Peco.
I'd doubt it, NMRA is american standards and the euro stuff isn't made for the US market. I personally see no draw towards that stuff.
Code 55 is the future until it is eclipsed by code 45. In N scale code 55 rail approximates code 100 in HO. HO has now gone to a code 83 rail which scales out to the popular 137# rail used by most prototype railroads. Code 45 would be the N scale equivalent of 137# rail. As far as compatibility goes the one big problem with the Atlas Code 55 was Microtrains deep flanges on their wheelsets. Microtrains has now developed a newer wheel flange profile and is making it standard on all new production runs. So the biggest problem with C55 here in the states has been removed.
