Re: which track should I use?

Max,

  Peco code 55 is really rugged, and has a wide choice of turnouts available.
It also has 'spring lock' points(a nice feature).  The cost is a little high,
and the tie profile is not real 'American'.  Atlas has a line of code 55
available, and the prices are very good.  The down side is no locking points,
and at this time only a #5 and #7 turnout are available
  The key with any of the code 55 product lines is to try you cars/engines to
see if there are flange depth problems.  Older MT wheels and some older
engines(Minitrix and Rapido) will 'click' going through Atlas code 55
turnouts.  The Peco track is really code 80 high and has two rail bases(the
bottom 'T') - there is enough clearance to run the older cars/engines through
it with no 'clicking').

  I am building a 36" by 57" display layout using the Atlas code 55 products
and have been running Atlas/MT cars and engines with no problems.  All of the
cars have been equipped with low profile metal wheels(either Intermountain or
Atlas) and run through the turnouts with no problems.  The only engine that
'clicks' is the Kato USRA 2-8-2 - the pilot truck has flanges too big.

Jim Bernier

kg wrote:

> I'm building my first N scale layout.  I like the Peco 55.  any drawbacks?
> thanks. Max.