I just purchased some Atlas code 55 flex track and Atlas #2090 metal rail joiners. By the looks of it I will have to do some work on the first tie as the joiner won't fit. Am I correct in this and how should it be done to ensure track integrity.
Same as for the code 80 track. Either cut under the rail for the first couple of ties or remove the ties, cut off the fake spikes and glue back in to place after the track is laid.
The issue is not to take off the spikes- they aren't "fake" as they really do hold the rail to the ties. The additional thickness of the rail joiner below the bottom surface of the rail (which is even with the top of the ties) is the problem. The best solution is to remove the last two ties in the area of the rail joiner. File or sand down the bottom of the ties (which are still joined by the runner under the area of one of the rails) so the detail and surface of the ties is maintained. The "spikes" do have to be sliced off because they are too close together to clear the width of the railjoiner. We usually slide the ties in from the side just before painting the rail and ballasting the track.... the ballast and cement will hold the ties in alignment. In the HO Code 83 line Atlas sells tie ends with the clearance area for the railjoiner molded in (ala snap track) and they probably will do the same in N if you like that approach better.
