Hello all. On my current layout I have code 80 atlas track nailed down with Atlas HO/N scale track nails. My question is, I’m in the planning stages of my next layout which will use Atlas Code55 track. Now I know you all are going to tell me to glue the track down, so for now, for the sake of my question, lets pretend that there is no such thing as glue. Does anyone make track nails smaller than the ones Atlas makes? Ones that I can use with out splitting C55 ties. I know I have to pre-drill the holes, but still the atlas track nails are almost as wide as the ties are!
Dave....I've used Peco #SL-14 9/16 nails...blackened. They might be a little thinner than the Atlas nails. I think Peco calls them track pins. That being said, I now glue all my track. Split & distorted ties got to be frustrating. Cam
It's so much easier to glue the track. Nails have a tendency to loosen over time. Stay cool and run steam.....
I find that Liquid Nails for Projects/Foam works well. You have at least 30 minutes to align the track before it starts to set. Also, the track can be removed from the roadbed by slowly sliding a 1" putty knife between the ties and roadbed along the track while lifting the track up out of your way.
I use half-inch sequin pins to spike my Code 80 track down; they seem to be thinner than any model-railroad "spike" I've yet seen. They're available at Jo-Ann Fabrics (and elsewhere, I'm sure): http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=82057&PRODID=47575&source=search And a picture of them in use: As you can see, the heads of the pins are narrower than the Code 80 ties, let alone the shafts.
You could try wooden model ship building parts. Many kits need tiny little nails, and they do sell extras, like these 5 and 10 mm nails. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXX475&P=5 http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXX476&P=5
