Seeking photos of painted/weathered Peco code 55

[mark dance]

In the end, though, I need appearance to take a back seat to operating reliability.  ..  And I knew I could count on you guys to show me how well paint/weather/ballast covers virtually all sins!

That has been my priority as well...'while I do appreciate fine trackwork (here's looking at you @GaryHinshaw ) I err to bulletproof.

Although I felt it was too "cheeky" to include the photo below as an example of ballasted track, I don't think I'd try this with any other N scale track system!


md

[nickelplate759]

That has been my priority as well...'while I do appreciate fine trackwork (here's looking at you @GaryHinshaw ) I err to bulletproof.

...

Just the scene for a hot day!

[Cajonpassfan]

It actually improves both, especially contact.

Interesting. So, just how does a narrower railhead improve conductivity and traction? Seems counterintuitive, but I am open to being enlightened...
Thanks, Otto

[garethashenden]

Interesting. So, just how does a narrower railhead improve conductivity and traction? Seems counterintuitive, but I am open to being enlightened...
Thanks, Otto

The model's weight is constant, but if it is supported by a smaller area the force is greater. Therefore the model can more easily push through dirt or oxidization on the railhead.

[Angus Shops]

Whoa! Steam on the C&W! That’s new...

[nkalanaga]

DKS and garethashenden:  Thank you!  I wondered if anyone had ever tried it, and the explanation makes sense.

[robert3985]

Hmmm..."track"....the magic word!

First off...why @Dave V are you wanting to use Peco 55?  As I'm sure you know, there are other alternatives that may fit what you REALLY want better.  I think many of us would like to read what your reasoning is...

I'll wait for your response before continuing on with my thoughts about it.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[DKS]

why ... are you wanting to use Peco 55?

I think that question has been answered already.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50129.msg674462#msg674462

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50038.msg672256#msg672256

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50038.msg672358#msg672358

As I'm sure you know, there are other alternatives that may fit what you REALLY want better.

Considering he's already purchased all of the track, I doubt any arguments one might present will change his mind... but I could be wrong. I often am.

I'll wait for your response before continuing on with my thoughts about it.

I'd imagine your thoughts would be along these lines...

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48014.msg636144#msg636144

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48014.msg635672#msg635672

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47910.msg633243#msg633243

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46248.msg605089#msg605089

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47520.msg627075#msg627075

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46847.msg614558#msg614558

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47846.msg631694#msg631694

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47485.msg625743#msg625743

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=47433.msg624963#msg624963

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46956.msg616275#msg616275

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45888.msg596368#msg596368

All served with a

[Dave V]

Hmmm..."track"....the magic word!

First off...why @Dave V are you wanting to use Peco 55?  As I'm sure you know, there are other alternatives that may fit what you REALLY want better.  I think many of us would like to read what your reasoning is...

I'll wait for your response before continuing on with my thoughts about it.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

@DKS to the rescue (in terms of my reasoning)!  Mind's made up here, so with all the track now already on hand it would be impractical to go a different way even if I wanted to, but I don't.

[jdcolombo]

I sent Dave a bunch of photos I took but not of my layout.
I've used PECO track in the past and my biggest gripe has always been the one gigantic spike per tie more than any other perceived deficiencies.
That one large spike is just so hard not to notice no matter the weathering and ballasting.

Since the spikes on Peco Code 55 are non-functional (the rail is held in the tie itself), you could sand/cut off the spikes before painting/ballasting.

John C.

[Dave V]

Honesty time...  I'm kinda playing lip service to the idea of shaving off the rail clip/spike head detail (whatever you want to call it) but the truth is, I won't.  It really doesn't bother me that much.  It's a lot of effort which--if done hurriedly or sloppily as I am known to do from time to time--could do more harm than good and the ultimate payoff isn't worth the time or risk to my aging eyes.  I know I'm overdue for bifocals!

I'm happy with how this is looking.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Dave V]

@Dave V  Okay.  Have fun!

@DKS  Your assumptions are completely erroneous.  I've changed my mind about track while being occupied by my family ordeal.  Maybe I'll post my ideas at another time in a much less obviously biased environment as it's evident that my advice/opinions are not wanted any longer after my hiatus.  You can shove your smiley face up your a$$.

F.U.
Bob Gilmore

Bob, I'm sorry you had to go through what happened.  That said, I kind of had you in mind as I went about soliciting examples of well-done Peco 55 since you've performed miracles with almost every track system out there.  I kinda suspected you'd want to talk me out of it, but I also think you (and several others) have a much higher opinion of my tracklaying skills than I know I have.  Ever have something you've tried over and over again that you just don't seem to get better at?  That's me and track.

[dem34]

Well, from a distance the chairs do kinda look like chunky spikes. But they are all uniform in size and distance apart from one another, with that considered how hard would it be to make a fixed painting mask? I imagine a quick one two drybrushing on every spike would improve the look even further and with a good mask you neither need to be precise or careful.

[Jbub]

@Dave V  Okay.  Have fun!

@DKS  Your assumptions are completely erroneous.  I've changed my mind about track while being occupied by my family ordeal.  Maybe I'll post my ideas at another time in a much less obviously biased environment as it's evident that my advice/opinions are not wanted any longer after my hiatus.  You can shove your smiley face up your a$$.

F.U.
Bob Gilmore

C'mon now @robert3985 . We've all missed your wealth of knowledge while you've been away doing the right thing of taking care of your own. But @DKS poking fun of your high standard of track laying is NOT evidence of bias against you or that your opinion is not warranted. He did say @Dave V had ALREADY PURCHASED the track and maybe in a way was trying to help save you some time of writing a response. I for one would like to read this change of opinion as I'm torn between the simplicity of using Peco's bullet proof system vs using ME track and hand laying my own turnouts built to a high reliability standard. One costs more money and the other costs time. What is the better trade off?

[chicken45]

@Dave V  Okay.  Have fun!

@DKS  Your assumptions are completely erroneous.  I've changed my mind about track while being occupied by my family ordeal.  Maybe I'll post my ideas at another time in a much less obviously biased environment as it's evident that my advice/opinions are not wanted any longer after my hiatus.  You can shove your smiley face up your a$$.

F.U.
Bob Gilmore

Well. I guess someone isn't getting a caricature of them made now!