I wanted to Know is Atlas code 55 is compatable with Peco code 55, My game plan was to use Peco 55 for main line and Atlas code 55 for Large rail yard ( and Atlas code 55 switches THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Not sure of the compatibility, but the Atlas c55 sure looks a lot nicer. I suggest you use c55 for your entire layout. Unless you plan on having hidden staging, then plain old Atlas c80 will work just fine.
Another "preference" would be to use Micro Engineering code 55 for all of your flextrack and Atlas code 55 turnouts. ME flex looks exponentially better than Atlas 55 and has no pizza cutter interference because of the really small spikeheads. Atlas does not model "spikeheads" on any of their track but has "thingies" which look like big clamps which hold the rail to the ties. Since turnouts prototypically have braces and such on their rails, the bigger "thingies" on the Atlas turnouts don't detract much from the overall looks when combined with ME flextrack. You could purchase ME code 55 #6 turnouts if they were readily available, but, I am not sure if they are or not since I hand-lay all of my own turnouts. They look great, are DCC friendly, and have a nice over-center spring action on the points so you can just flick 'em with your finger to get them to throw. On the ones I've used for my DCC test track, I cut gaps close to the cast frog with my jeweler's saw and an ultra-fine saw blade and leave the frog dead. No problems with short-base diesels running over them without a hitch. Then, if you needed larger or smaller turnouts in areas of your layout, you could still go with Atlas #5's and/or #10's. Frankly, there's not much difference between the Atlas 7's and ME 6's as far as angle is concerned. I think that the ME turnouts look nicer with their smaller cast nickel silver frog (not plated like Atlas turnouts) and guard rails, ground nickel silver points, fine spikehead and bracket details. Atlas turnouts also have HUGE frog and guard rail details. When I look at them, they look like HO narrow gauge turnouts to my eye. BUT, the main negative points to ME turnouts is their scarcity and that they come in only #6's. The scarcity problem could be a deal-breaker if I couldn't find enough of them after a couple of hours doing an online search. You should be aware that ME track is stiffer...and doesn't flop around like Atlas 55 when you're laying it. Some people like this, some people don't. I like it because I lay to strict radius standards and I always know that my track is following my centerlines as exactly as I can possibly do it because it stays in place after I bend it. I also think that ME track doesn't "pop" due to temperature extremes nearly as much as all the other "floppy" trackage because the little spikeheads grip the rails tighter and don't allow as much expansion and contraction. But, it doesn't "naturally" curve smoothly as Atlas flex does, so you have to play with it for a while to get your curves and straights smooth. ME track comes in actual one yard lengths, Atlas track comes in shorter meter lengths. ME track is a little more expensive than Atlas track...but, you get more because it's longer. You can buy ME track already "weathered" (but it's harder to solder that way). Atlas doesn't offer that option if you want it. ME track is made in the USA. Atlas is made in China You might also consider ME code 40 flextrack for sidings and branchlines. You'd have to learn to build turnouts however since there are no commercial RTR code 40 turnouts made. Building your own turnouts isn't rocket science and it will save you a LOT of money depending on how many you are going to have on you layout. But...that's a different subject for a different thread. Whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy this diverse hobby! Cheers! Bob Gilmore
