Joining Atlas Code 55 to Atlas Code 80

[Roger Holmes]

I am building a scene using the N Scale Architect's Excel Fed Mill on a piece of thin plywood at the workbench to add to the layout.  I am using Atlas Code 55 on the new project but it will connect to an Atlas Code 80 turnout coming of the decades old mainline.  I searched the archives and came up with one hit about flattening a Code 80 rail joiner and soldering the Code 55 rail to the flattened end. Before testing my soldering skills I thought I'd ask if any of you have any other method to suggest.  And, no, replacing the Code 80 mainline on a 200 square foot layout is not an option

Thanks.

[Van Horne]

There may be other ways of doing it, but that is the only one I have ever used.  It is not nearly as hard as it may seem. 

Dave

[davefoxx]

Roger,

That's the method that I would use.  I did the same to marry a piece of Code 40 to Code 55:



DFF

[John]

a code 55 rail joiner will also work with code 80 rail .. slide it on, open the rail joiner up n the C55 side, and then solder the C55 rail flush with the top of the C80 .. does any of this make sense?

[GaryHinshaw]

Another option: Micro Engineering makes a plastic transition joiner for 80 to 55:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Micro-Engineering-HO-Rail-Joiners-Code-80-55-p/mec-26-004.htm

It's listed as HO, but it's really multi-scale.

[tom mann]

Could Track Lock(tm)'s transition piece be used?



[/disinformation]

[pjm20]

There always is fine print! 

[peteski]

There always is fine print! 

... but if you place the order in the next 5 minutes, you'll get, absolutely free, a second set of  Track Lock joiners (additional handling charge applies).  That is two sets of Track Lock joiners for the price of one. It is an unbeatable bargain!

Taxes are a responsibility of the buyer.  No CODs please.  Offer not valid for Trainboard members.

[nuno81291]

I have done the soldering to a regular joiner method and had no issue. I don't recall flattening the joiner but I ended up with a joint that trains behave no differently on than like gauge joints...Not sure which brand of joiners I used at the time, probably the atlas 55's as IIRC they fit a little more snug than the 80's or peco's.

[MVW]

Roger,

That's the method that I would use.  I did the same to marry a piece of Code 40 to Code 55:



DFF

Thanks for the photo, Dave. This sounds like a clusterbother, but looks easy. You guys may have just made it more likely the extensions to my layout are code 55.

Jim

[basementcalling]

It's easier than soldering feeders to pieces of track.

[nkalanaga]

I've connected code 40 to 55 that way, and it works fine. 

The only 80 to smaller rail transitions I have are Micro Engineering track to Peco code 55, which is oddly made code 80.  There I use two methods.  On the first, ME code 55, I filed the extra material from the bottom of the Peco rail and used a standard code 55 joiner.  On the second, ME code 40, I filed the Peco from the top, making a ledge, and soldered the smaller rail directly to the larger.

If it was two pieces of plain track one could also forget about fastening them at all, and just shim the smaller track to match the larger.  Treat it like any other insulated gap.  I've also done that between codes 55 and 40.

[bman]

I used the code 80 rail and joiner flattened and soldered the code 55 to that.  Worked well but I am pretty handy with the soldering iron.  You could try soldering a couple of scrap pieces together as practice if you have some lying around.  The joiners from Microengineering do sound like an alternative if you do not wish to solder. 

[Roger Holmes]

Thanks to all for the great replies.  I'm going to order the Micro-Engineering joiners at the LHS today .  He orders from Walthers and generally gets about a four day turnaround.  If those don't work out I will try the soldering method. Based upon Dave Foxx's photos and everyone's experience, this seems doable.  My concern with soldering is that the piece between the Code 80 turnout and the Code 55 turnout is quite short and has a slight curve.

I'm probably about a week away from having the module ready to install on the layout and will keep you posted.

BTW  what is this Track Lock (tm) of which you speak??

[shark_jj]

I have done this to connect my staging area to the main layout.  I use a 6 inch piece of Peco code 55.  On the code 80 end it is a standard joint.  Peco code 55 is a double webbed track embedded in ties.  File off the bottom of one end up to the level of the first web.  It is a perfect fit to atlas code 55.  One section of peco 55 gives you six joint sections.