Atlas Code 55 Praises...

[ljudice]

You guys convinced me to try Atlas Code 55 - which I did - and I am sold on the stuff...

Some things I learned (comments please if you have anything to add)...

- the flexing action is much, much easier to work with than Peco code 55
- It's a little harder to get clean cuts the first time. I seem to be using a dremel tool to "clean up" about half of my cuts. Maybe my Xuron tool is getting dull???
- I cannot believe that the #10 turnouts make perfect crossovers on my double track centers.. what a timesaver!
- for DCC it is much easier to wire
- even without groundthrows in yet, I have run trains through - both positions with no derailments.
- one #10 came defective - the little donut holding the points was loose. Atlas said send it back for a replacement
- I had to change some soldering techniques, but the end result is much cleaner than what I was doing with Peco - though that's mostly my fault, not Peco's.
- much easier to hide flex track rail joints - ie. you can sand down some ties and slide under to make a seemless looking joint.
- the sectional track makes it MUCH easier to do some complex trackwork without pulling your hair out and it looks perfectly matched to the flextrack...




Lou

[DKS]

- It's a little harder to get clean cuts the first time. I seem to be using a dremel tool to "clean up" about half of my cuts. Maybe my Xuron tool is getting dull???

I would be suspicious of the Xuron tool. I've used Xurons and found them to be somewhat inadequate. I use the heavier-duty tool sold by Micro-Mark:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=60315

[Boiler-man]

I used the Atlas Code 55 track, cut it with the Xuron tool (holding the tool parallel to the rail webb) and just dressed the end with a small flat needle file.
Perhaps you need to look at the cut as one half is cut square and the other is tapered, this is just the way the tool cuts.
I always figure on using the ends that are cut square and then hit them with the file, slip on the joiners.
Hope that this helps.