Trackwork

Things I wished I had appreciated/known

Mon, 2012-04-23 05:33 — GLatiak

Things have been moving slowly on the BQR due to lost time removing failed solutions and correcting them. The largest screwup has been around the special order Atlas low profile under layout turnout motors -- it looked like a real solution for the low clearance between the main and upper deck. Problem is that when I go the installed and wired up the stem flexed so much that the throwbar never moved, but the linkage rotated freely, twisting around the skinny shank. Useless! Atlas support said 'gee, do they do that? Send us one and we will look at it...

Fast Tracks, Micro Engineering, Central Valley, or old school handlay?

Sun, 2012-04-22 16:35 — joem5127

I'm looking for some opinions of the more detailed track systems. I recently dismantled my layout due to a move, it was built with Atlas code 83.

Mixing Proto 48 track with standard O Scale track

Thu, 2012-04-19 06:02 — kleaverjr

There are some manufacturer's of Proto 48 Flex Track that is significantly less than Micro Engineering and Atlas Flex Track. Before we purchase any though, we need to find out if the two types can be mixed? OR is there enough difference in the gauge that they can't.

Ken L.

1 comment

Blending N scale Kato with Code 55

Wed, 2012-04-18 12:19 — tomdove

My Bolero, Lindy & Tango RR will undergo major changes when we finish the attic room and I'm having lots of fun drawing plans. It appears that the new layout will be in a "T" shape and I plan to use Kato Unitrack turnouts combined with Atlas Flex Track as much as possible because I'm impressed with the reliability of that combination. Several of my existing Atlas turnouts have been troublesome and the insulated frogs are bad for my short-base steam locos. When I replace them with Kato, everything is fine.

If you wanted to buy a turnout instead of making one...

Mon, 2012-04-16 21:15 — rblundon

I am beginning the benchwork and shortly thereafter laying the track for my staging area. I have C100 Atlas track laying around, so I think I will use it in staging and on the helix. I know I can scratch build Fast Tracks or CVT turnouts ( I intend to build CVT turnouts for the main deck of the layout), but since it is staging, I was planning on just using RTR turnouts. What manufacturer and code would you recommend? I am leaning towards Peco Code 100, but could do Walthers. I have 9 #8s and 12 #6s.

The Train Room, More photos from the GS&M Layout

Mon, 2012-04-16 04:32 — AzBaja

Checking for bench work height with old portable layout (Was from and old railroad plan book). Your looking at a 2 foot wide section over a 1 foot wide section. You can also see the reach problem with the 2 foot wide section.