I am about to start a new layout and am researching track. My preference is to use Atlas code 55 track because of the prototypical appearance and the #10 turnouts. I recall that when this track was first manufactured many years ago, wheels with large flanges (Micro-Trains pizza cutters) could not be run on this track because the flanges hit the simulated spike heads. Does anyone know if this is still the case with the most recent batch of Atlas code 55 track? Thanks.
However, those wheels are now old hat, and you'd have to dive deep into eBay's antiques department to find cars wearing them.
I still find a lot of cars that have deep flanges......at least in terms of running on code 55 track. They aren't "new" cars, but I wouldn't classify them as "antiques" either . I've gone thru almost 150 wheel sets this year, just dealing with flanges. The cars will still run....they won't derail or anything, but you can hear a buzz as the wheels cross the spike heads, and they also create more drag.
for the older micro-trains cars you can put the newer low profile wheel sets that micro-trains make now in the older trucks that run on code 55 track
You might want to check into Atlas Code 55 availability too @RR Enthusiast . Several years ago when I researched potential track offerings for my new railroad, I deleted Atlas Code 55 from my list because many sources had little or no inventory on hand. This may have since changed, but it's worth checking.
Hardcoaler is correct..........Atlas code 55 availability has been spotty. But so has everyone elses code 55. Not sure about Peco though.......I pay no attention to it because it isn't true code 55.........it's code 80 rail set deeper into the ties to give a code 55 height. Not really anything wrong with that, except it won't interchange with anyone elses code 55 track without major hassles. If you know what you need track-wise, I'd suggest buying EVERYTHING you need when you find it. Not a cheap option (I bought 3 100 piece boxes of flex plus 100 turnouts ) but it's the only way to guarantee being able to complete your layout in a timely fashion. It ends up being the same outlay of money in the end (possibly cheaper since prices keep climbing) but it's a big "one time purchase". The track continues to trickle in, but it's very random...........I needed 8 more sets of #7 L-R pairs of turnouts.........the lefts came in a couple of months ago, the rights came in last week and are in the mail as we speak. They are for a yard I'm adding......haven't built the benchwork yet, but you gotta buy the track when you can find it. I've never had any trouble finding #10 turnouts for some reason.....I guess most people just don't have room to use them.
