Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - Printable Version

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Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - RobertInOntario - 11-23-2009

Is it possible that Altas's Code 100 track is a fraction finer than Peco's Code 100?

I'm thinking this is the case because one of my older British locos (a Triang 08 diesel switcher, made in the late-1950s or '60s) bounces and clicks along my Atlas Code 100 track because of its large flanges (pizza-cutter) wheels but runs well on my Peco Code 100 track.

I basically can't run it on Atlas Code 100 track but it's fine on Peco's. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Thanks,
Rob

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - Sumpter250 - 11-24-2009

It's possible that the Atlas track has larger "spikes", the cast tabs that hold the rails to the tiestrips. You may have to carefully reduce the height of those.

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - Steamtrains - 11-24-2009

I think Sumpter is right the A track has humongous "spikes".....Rather than trying to shave off the top of the spikes, you might try reducing the "cookie cutter" flanges on the loco. I filed down the center set of drivers on a Pacific ( brass...) to enable it to take the tight curves on my previous layout. I just flipped it upside down, put some juice to it, and let the file do its job.... Eek

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - RobertInOntario - 11-24-2009

Sumpter250 Wrote:It's possible that the Atlas track has larger "spikes", the cast tabs that hold the rails to the tiestrips. You may have to carefully reduce the height of those.


I just went to my LHS and compared the two types of track -- I think you're exactly right. I even asked one of the guys at the store & he suspected the same thing. So I'll consider this then ... or replace with Peco track or file down the wheels! Eek

Thanks, Rob

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - RobertInOntario - 11-24-2009

Steamtrains Wrote:I think Sumpter is right the A track has humongous "spikes".....Rather than trying to shave off the top of the spikes, you might try reducing the "cookie cutter" flanges on the loco. I filed down the center set of drivers on a Pacific ( brass...) to enable it to take the tight curves on my previous layout. I just flipped it upside down, put some juice to it, and let the file do its job.... Eek

Thanks as well ... I wondered about this but am leery of damaging the loco. But if you had success with a brass Pacific, I should be able to file down the wheels of an old diesel! Rob

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - MasonJar - 11-24-2009

Be careful when filing that the little bits of metal don't get into the loco and the motor...!

Andrew

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - BR60103 - 11-24-2009

Rob: There was a thread somewhere (RMWeb?) by a modeller who had tried to reduce the flanges on an old TriAng. He claimed to have worn out all the cutters in two shops before he had them down. The rumour is that TriAng got a deal on some old tank armour.
My old TriAng bounces on Peco fine scale (code 75) and one brand of scale bullhead (not the other). I don't remember it bouncing on Atlas back in the 60s, but I never had much of it then.
I have no suggestions to offer on improving Atlas track.

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - RobertInOntario - 11-24-2009

BR60103 Wrote:Rob: There was a thread somewhere (RMWeb?) by a modeller who had tried to reduce the flanges on an old TriAng. He claimed to have worn out all the cutters in two shops before he had them down. The rumour is that TriAng got a deal on some old tank armour.
My old TriAng bounces on Peco fine scale (code 75) and one brand of scale bullhead (not the other). I don't remember it bouncing on Atlas back in the 60s, but I never had much of it then.
I have no suggestions to offer on improving Atlas track.

Thanks, David. I just laid two pieces of Peco Code 100 track on my layout's inner loop and this solved the problem nicely. So the inner loop is almost totally made up of a combination of Peco and old Hornby Dublo (Code 125) track. My Triang switcher now runs very well, except that it often stops at the turnouts! I think that this might be caused by the large flanges again but it's not that serious (I can tolerate it for now).

So, based on what you say above, and because I've fixed most of the problems, I don't think I'll file the Triang's wheels.

Rob

Re: Code 100 Track Quandary -- Peco Compared to Atlas - nkp_174 - 12-02-2009

Check the wheel gauge!

I found it annoying that my new (2007) B-man British stuff bounced through my Code 83 turnouts. As it turns out, the wheels were tighter than the NMRA standard...now they are just fine.

Perhaps this won't solve your problem, but it might lessen it.