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Author Topic: Which track do you use?  (Read 6297 times)

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lock4244

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Which track do you use?
« on: December 17, 2009, 05:41:04 PM »
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Was looking at some Atlas and Micro Engineering C55 flextrack at the LHS today, and started to wonder which is better and why (I know, ask 5 people and get 5 different answers). I liked the look the the ME C55 weathered flex, though that was purely based on the dark rail... to me, the Atlas C55 ties looked better. Which is more compatible with the Fastracks switches? Which is more durable? Which is more reliable in operation (going to use metal wheels on all cars for example)? Does it even matter? Atlas is more cost effective from what I've seen.

As I more closer to home ownership, I've thought I might buy some here and there so when the layout gets started, I'll have a small pile ready and waiting. Is this a good idea? Should I test both myself and go with whichever I prefer? I used to use Peco C80 and I'm not going back to that, ever.

Any insight is much appreciated.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 05:42:39 PM by lock4244 »
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Mark5

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2009, 05:54:33 PM »
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FWIW, I bought samples of each of the brand/types I was considering and then decided.

Track work has always been very important to me - the crap we had to choose from in the mid 70s let me to hand lay in Code 40 so I've always been a bit fanatical about it.

(I settled on Atlas C55 as I have not time to hand lay these days)

Mark
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 06:35:52 PM by NandW »
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wazzou

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2009, 06:10:39 PM »
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Atlas C55 TO's unless I need something a little tighter or with closer frogs like industry leads close together or heaven forbid a TO on a curve.
Micro Engineering C55 flex for all visible trackage with Atlas C55 for anything hidden including staging.
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Bryan

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Coxy

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2009, 06:19:05 PM »
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Really comes down to personal preference. Is your priority looks, operation or price?

I think all three can only be obtained through handlaying. I handlay in c40 and c55 using FastTracks jigs for turnouts. I also like atlas c55, it scores pretty well on all counts too but has limited offerings for turnouts and crossings. I would recommend Atlas c55 and hand lay what you need that Atlas doesn't offer.
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2009, 06:45:40 PM »
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I'm a huge fan of the Atlas C55 because of its wide availability and good looks.

Beware of the ME weathered stuff. I had some and it was a MAJOR pain because the weathering made it difficult to flex.
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Caleb Austin

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2009, 08:39:54 PM »
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ME c55 with Atlas turnouts for me. :)
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tom mann

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2009, 08:49:22 PM »
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Quote from: Ed Kapuscinski on December 17, 2009, 06:45:40 PM
I'm a huge fan of the Atlas C55 because of its wide availability and good looks.

Beware of the ME weathered stuff. I had some and it was a MAJOR pain because the weathering made it difficult to flex.

Huh?  What?!
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Zox

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2009, 08:51:58 PM »
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Atlas Code 80 with Peco turnouts.

...what? :)
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tom mann

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2009, 08:58:44 PM »
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I always liked the ME code 55 flex because of the smaller spike heads.  But I like the Atlas code 55 turnouts because of their price.




Look how nice the ties look on the Atlas code 55!
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Ed Kapuscinski

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2009, 09:30:06 PM »
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Yeah, the weathering that was factory appled caused the spike heads to want to stick in position, so when I tried flexing it, the track kinda "crunched" as I bent it.
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daniel_leavitt2000

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2009, 09:45:45 PM »
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I have used ME C40 and C55 along with Atlas C55. I like Atlas C55 for heavy mainline because of its uniformity. The ME, with its wider ties and lower profile always looked a little more "branchline" to me. I like to use ME C55 for secondaries and branches along with ME C40 for spurs, industrial sidings and abandoned lines.

ME track is nice because you can slice the ties separate to make uneven tie spacing or even torque a tie or two to give the appearance of deferred maintenance.
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DKS

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2009, 10:06:08 PM »
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Quote from: daniel_leavitt2000 on December 17, 2009, 09:45:45 PM
ME track is nice because you can slice the ties separate to make uneven tie spacing or even torque a tie or two to give the appearance of deferred maintenance.

Or even take it to the extreme and make some abandoned track, like this...
 


Yes, the roadbed is washed out from under the ties. It was based on the appearance of some real track, the Trenton Traction Company line near Whitehead Road in Trenton, NJ, shortly before it was torn up.

BTW, that's ME 55 in the foreground, ME 40 in the back.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2009, 10:10:06 PM by David K. Smith »
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Kev1340

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2009, 02:35:28 AM »
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For many years I used Peco C80 without a hitch. Now I've moved to Peco C55, which is an improvement.

Admittedly part of the choice is availability - Peco from 2 miles up the road, Atlas or ME - order from across the pond  :)

Cheers,

Kev
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wm3798

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2009, 09:18:41 AM »
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Atlas c55.  Price.  Availability.  Appearance.  In that order.

Lee
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lock4244

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Re: Which track do you use?
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2009, 11:27:45 AM »
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Lee, I was looking at MBK's website, Atlas C55 is out of stock until January 2010, but ME C55 is available  ;D

Some very good feedback so far, thanks! The price of the Atlas C55 is the most appealing aspect to me... easier to build up a stockpile of track.

What of C40? Good track to use for yard and industrial trackage (appearance-wise)?
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