I'm considering buying micro engineering track simply because the place I buy from has what I need in stock. I currently use N code 55 Atlas track and find it quite flimsy. Does anyone have an opinion between the two, including turnout quality? Thanks.
I'm in HO so it may not be the same.
ME track sure looks better but is stiffer and trickier to get it to form just how you want it. Once it's how you need it to be, it's that way unless you re-bend it. Atlas flex is easier to flex and bend however you need to tack it down while you glue it, or just use track nails to hold it in place if you plan to reposition the track as you go.
Again, I'm in HO, but I'm using the ME flex in an area of the layout where the track will be up front for closer scrutiny and the Altas elsewhere. And the only reason why I had some ME flex was because it was on sale at a LHS going out of business and I was in the market for track. Once it's gone I may not get any more since I prefer working with the easier-to-flex Atlas.
There's an article in a Model Railroad Hobbyist issue about the different N scale track varieties. It's by Bernie Kempinski, if memory serves me right. Check it out.
Galen
I've worked for my module Salina with ME code 40 H0n3 track and was satisfied.
It looks good and the only problem is getting a curve. But you can do it, carefully. I would use it again.
Wolfgang
I may avoid it then. My new plan is all curves minus a couple small straight stretches between s curves. I used Peco in HO and was unhappy with it. Loved the Atlas in HO, but only have used Atlas in N.
Especially with turnouts, Atlas doesn't have the same reputation as ME, Peco, or Shinohara. I've always used either Atlas or hand laid.
I would recommend staying away form Atlas turnouts. The cheap sheet metal points are very delicate, and tend to be damaged by heavy locomotives running over them. Atlas designed their turnouts to be used as toys by children and unfortunately, I haven't seen any evidence of them upgrading even the custom line product for the scale model hobbyist. Also the electrical path through the points to the frog is carried by the rivets used for hinges on the points. These will often produce poor contact after some time. I once repaired an Atlas turnout to make it work reliably by carefully filling down a section of rail and gluing it to the back side of the points with epoxy after oiling the ties underneath to keep from gluing the points. I also soldered jumper wires from the rails in the points to the appropriate stock rail (I was using dead frogs). The turnout worked great after I finished, but I spent 4 hours modifying the turnout, and didn't know if it would work until I finished! I haven't used or looked at an Atlas turnout in over 20 years, so the design may have changed in the newest Custom Line product.
Look it over carefully. Some people have had good luck with Atlas turnouts, but be aware that if it has thin sheet metal points, that may be a problem area. Carrying the electrical load through rivet hinges may not be as much of a problem; but if you suddenly find yourself having engines going dead through the turnouts, be aware of the potential problem.
One other essential modification to an Atlas turnout for reliable running is to glue a shim .050"-.010" thick to the guard rails to narrow the gap between the guard rails and the stock rails and especially at the frog. If you don't do that, the guard rails are just decorative and do nothing to keep the trains on the rails going through the turnout. It has often been said that carefully laid track work is the key to reliability and reducing derailments. It cannot be emphasized enough the importance of using your NMRA gauge to measure and correct every part of any turnout whether it is bought ready made, or hand laid.
Just to add a word on Russ's excellent report on the older Atlas turnouts...the newer Custom Line Code 83 turnouts are quite a bit better engineered. I used them on a layout for ten years, with a number of 16oz locomotives in service, and never had a problem with them. The older Code 100 turnouts...well, I had a little better luck than Russ, but not much better
Funny you asked when you did. I was just messing around with a piece of ME code 70, HO track. I tried bending it to a minimum radius and found that it takes a bit of finessing to get a nice smooth radius.the ties seem to want to form a"Vee"
at various points over the length of the section. I have used the ME code 70 track on a club, logging layout but didn't have to put much of a curve into it because I was building switchbacks. I really like the appearance of the ME track and have no complaints. Jim K
The new Atlas turnouts have real filed rail points.
Charlie
They've been good to me, but I've only used them for a few years.
Charlie B Wrote:The new Atlas turnouts have real filed rail points.
Charlie
Glad to hear that, Charlie. I had such a bad experience with the old ones that I haven't even looked at them in years. Of course, Atlas doesn't have a product for me since the heaviest track on my new layout will be code 70.