Micro Engineering N scale Code 55 Flex Update

[reinhardtjh]

So with the change of ownership and location, the supply of ME code 55 turnouts have dried up? Checking the usual suspects I found OOS everywhere.

Fifer has 5 "cases" of 4 bundles (24 pc)  https://shop.fiferhobby.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=12951
24 6-pc bundles https://shop.fiferhobby.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=18204

If you order the postage calculator will be wildly off but they will adjust when they ship.

Scratch that. I missed the very important word "turnout" and assumed flex.  So nevermind... 

[Jbub]

Fifer has 5 "cases" of 4 bundles (24 pc)  https://shop.fiferhobby.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=12951
24 6-pc bundles https://shop.fiferhobby.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=18204

If you order the postage calculator will be wildly off but they will adjust when they ship.

Scratch that. I missed the very important word "turnout" and assumed flex.  So nevermind... 

I thought the same thing. As for the turnouts, those have been MIA for a very long time.

[reinhardtjh]

I thought the same thing. As for the turnouts, those have been MIA for a very long time.

I guess I could claim as an excuse that the thread title is about ME Flex.  But the post I was replying to was about turnouts.

[mu26aeh]

Shop I work at got some in recently but website is not showing them in stock.  I work next weekend, will follow up.

www.mainlinehobby.com

[rodsup9000]

 After working with some of the new track, I like it better than that made in the old molds.
 It's not as stiff and is much easier to work into curves. The rails slide a lot easier on the ties.

[JeffB]

So with the change of ownership and location, the supply of ME code 55 turnouts have dried up? Checking the usual suspects I found OOS everywhere.

I have at least 8 of the N scale Code 55 turnouts and 9 of the Code 70 HOn3 turnouts.  All new in package.

Looking on eBay last night, someone has listings for the HOn3 turnouts for almost $45 each, with a few sold at that price. 

Maybe I should list the ones I have...  Seems like they've become rare enough that they'd be work quite a bit more than retail.

Jeff

[ednadolski]

Athabasca Scale Models used to sell etched frogs and diamonds for code 55. I have 2 packages of the #7, #9, and #11 frogs along with a package of diamonds for a 45 degree crossing That I'll be using soon.



Here's the #9 frogs




#11 frogs

Are those NMRA compliant?  What is the metal thickness?

Ed

[rodsup9000]

Are those NMRA compliant?  What is the metal thickness?

Ed

.028" thick
 Everything checks out OK with the NMRA gauge.

[Sokramiketes]

.028" thick
 Everything checks out OK with the NMRA gauge.

Flangeways would be about .014" deep then?  Seems shallow, do flanges ride up through the frogs?

[rodsup9000]

 

Flangeways would be about .014" deep then?  Seems shallow, do flanges ride up through the frogs?

  I just measured the NMRA gauge for flangeway depth, and it's only .0215" 

 MT's low pro plastic wheels run through them fine.

 I've had 6 on the layout for about 20 years without any problems with them

[ednadolski]

Flangeways would be about .014" deep then?  Seems shallow, do flanges ride up through the frogs?

S-3.2 lists flangeway depth H as 0.020"

Ed

[ednadolski]

    I just measured the NMRA gauge for flangeway depth, and it's only .0215" 

 MT's low pro plastic wheels run through them fine.

 I've had 6 on the layout for about 20 years without any problems with them

Seems fine as long as you're not trying to run pizza cutters thru them.

H for Nn3, Nn2, and Z being 0.016" seems more forgiving  (tho F goes from 0.028 for N to 0.023 for the others).

[MetroRedLine]

Athabasca Scale Models used to sell etched frogs and diamonds for code 55. I have 2 packages of the #7, #9, and #11 frogs along with a package of diamonds for a 45 degree crossing That I'll be using soon.



Here's the #9 frogs

Pardon me if this is going off topic of the thread, but does anyone make just the "V" section of frogs in Code 55? I need them to make guard rails for bridges.

[Sokramiketes]

    I just measured the NMRA gauge for flangeway depth, and it's only .0215" 

 MT's low pro plastic wheels run through them fine.

 I've had 6 on the layout for about 20 years without any problems with them

OK, it's entirely possible that they got creative with the etcher and had them do the etch deeper in one direction than the other too.  A typical 50/50 half etch would be in that .014 range, but it's not that hard to cut another .006 from one side. 

I'm more intersted to hear they work well.  The two layer assumbly would have been easier than the three layers of the Proto87 Stores ones. 

[rodsup9000]

I'm more intersted to hear they work well. 

  These have been in operation for close to 20 years with no problems. I even have some cars with pizza cutters on them and they only move slightly going through them.