N Code 55 Micro Engineering vs. Atlas

Discussion in 'N Scale' started by myopiceagle, Jun 21, 2011.

  1. myopiceagle

    myopiceagle Member

    Is anyone out there using the Code 55 from either M.E. or Atlas? I have been using the M.E. 55 flex and #6 switches. However, my usual source for these items is showing a backorder on the right-hand switch.

    I am in the midst of expanding track work on a new bench and wonder if I may need to switch to the Atlas code 55. Does anyone have any experience with Atlas 55? How do the switches compare?
     
  2. wpmoreland719

    wpmoreland719 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Your post caught my eye, even though I don't model N scale. I do occasionally read Model Railroader, and there is a short article on Atlas code 55 track in the May 2011 issue on page 20.

    The authors states that he ran into some trouble with Micro Trains cars with deep wheel flanges bumping along the molded spike heads. He also reported trouble with a Kato SD40-2 turning over on the Atlas code 55 turnouts. After incorrectly assuming the switch was at fault, he discovered that the wheel spacing on the locomotive was too tight and the problem was corrected after readjustment.

    As far as appearance, he felt that the track appeared more realistic than the Peco track that he had been using before, due to closer tie spacing. Hope this helps some.

    Pat Moreland,
    Union Mo.
     
  3. KMRwyCo

    KMRwyCo Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have built a complete model railroad with Atlas code 55. It is a good track system and looks more prototypical than any othe track IMO. The variety of tracks pieces was enough to build anything I wanted. I used M.E. on a past layout and the flex wasn't as forgiving as the Atlas. It was stiffer and "took a set" if you wanted to rearrange during planning. Mixing the two wouldn't be hard if you design a transition track. All modern wheelsets will work with the Atlas track. If you have older rolling stock then a change to modern wheelset isn't a problem and not too expensive, and will provide better rolling if you change to metal wheels. The Atlas turnouts are way better and less finiky. The first versions of the number 5 turnouts had problems but they have since left the supply chain. The number 7s and the 10s have no problems and work very well.

    Older engines are a different story. I don't have any older engines but can tell you that all Katos and Atlas engines I have since 1992 work just fine and the Life-like FAs work great also. Hope this helps.

    Dale S.
     
  4. myopiceagle

    myopiceagle Member

    Thank you gentlemen for the information. You've helped to put my mind at ease about ordering the Atlas switches.

    Dale, you mention using metal wheelsets, this is something that I have been considering. Which sets do you use?

    -Ethan M.
     
  5. KMRwyCo

    KMRwyCo Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Ethan; I have used all the brands of metal wheelsets but I like the Fox Valley Models the best. They have been gauged properly and I haven't had any wobbly wheels. Atlas makes a good wheelset that fits the Microtrains trucks but the quality control is spotty. Out of 100 wheelsets 3 or 4 wobble and have to be messed with. Hope this helps you out.

    Dale S.
     
  6. SteveM

    SteveM Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have used mostly Peco 55. I had some ME flex and a handful of turnouts. I worked up a transition by soldering a short piece of Peco to a full section of ME with tops aligned; a piece of small wire on outside of web reinforces nicely. I used slide switches to control the ME turnouts, powering the frog as a bonus. I face the prospect of adding 100+ slide switches to make sure power is getting to the frogs of the Pecos. I have a few pieces of Alas around but haven't used them due to the thump-thump. If I have to put some in (to get proper angle for a crossing) it will encourage me toward the wheelset replacement that I also need to embark on.
    If I had anticipated the problem of poor point contact/dirt on the Pecos I might have gone with ME. But they never made the longer turnouts that they had advertised. I don't think I have seen the Atlas 10'x.
     
  7. myopiceagle

    myopiceagle Member

    I haven't recieved the Atlas switches yet, hopefully by Wed. But I did recieve the ME track for my sidings. I went with Code 40 instead of 55 for the sidings, in order for them to look like lighter rail than the main. The Micro-Trains wheels do go 'thump-thump' as Steve said. I'll be needing wheelsets soon.
     

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