I'm new to this so forgive dumb questions. I want to lay double track n on a wooden trestle deck so as to see as much of the decking boards as possible. My non trestle track is Kato superelevated double track. The Kato integrated roadbed will look weird on the trestle and destroy the look I want. Can I attach non kato flex track to the trestle stringers? Or can I get the kato track off its bed? Or is there better way? thanks. First post. Bob
Hi Bob, Welcome. I would recommend using Micro Engineering Bridge track across your trestle; it is designed specifically for that purpose. The do code 70 and 55. Check out www. http://microengineering.com/ James
I would use the ME bridge flex track as James has suggested. Here is a shot that compares regular flex to the Bridge flex: (Link removed) Scroll down past the turnouts and flex track, you'll see a good picture in the third window. I have no association with this vendor, he just has a good picture.
Wow what quick replies. Thanks. Does both ME & Atlas attach by using those unijoiner thingies? Curious what makes ME flex track better. Will I need to solder feeders into either? Bob
Hi Bob, the ME Bridge Track has longer ties spaced closer than normal track as typical on bridges and trestles, I personally solder a feeder to each length of flexi track and do not rely on rail joiners to carry power. I haven’t used the Kato track before but the ME will connect the same as the Atlas and Mtntrainman says that works. James
You use a regular Atlas track joiner in place of the Unitrack joiner when joining Atlas C80 to Unitrack.
So to connect Unitrack to ME I would use an Atlas joiner? Sounds counter intuitive. Did I misunderstand? Bob
Atlas joiner for Atlas to Unitrack. Unitrack to ME....I have no clue. Unitrack is C80. Atlas has C80. ME is C55...the rail height is different.
You would need an adapter for C80 to C55. And let's be clear here, the atlas track is not bridge track. So it's not as accurate as the ME bridge track. If that's important to you.
ME Bridge flex also comes in C70, somewhat closer to Unitrack C80 I guess. In your experience, Can I somehow finesse that connection? I love the superelevated curves but also the look of ME on the trestle. Sorry to beat this to death.
If you align the ME bridge track (front to back and top) and your bridge track is solidly attached to your trestle stringers, you don't need rail joiners if you have feeders attached to your ME bridge track...which has already been stated quite plainly in this thread. Another advantage of doing this is that the ties will run right up to the ends of your bridge trackage with no joiners. If you don't want to install feeders on the rails of your trestle trackage, and if I remember correctly from my Ntrak days, if you slide Atlas code 80 rail joiners halfway on to the code 80 track, then squash the protruding ends with flat-nose pliers, the ME code 70 rail will sit right on top of that little platform (with a little filing on the end/foot of the code 70 rails because the joiners don't squash with a perfect demarcation between what's slid onto the code 80 rails and what's squashed) and the tops of the rails will be almost perfectly aligned height-wise. Solder the code 70 to the tops of the squashed rail joiners and you've got perfect adapters. If you want to make sure that solder doesn't flow to the Unitrack, coat the track where the joiners will be with pencil graphite by covering the surfaces by using a plain, old #2 pencil and scribbling densely where you don't want the solder to stick. Remember to remove any factory weathering on the ME bridge track with a fine steel brush or file and use a quality non-acid flux to get the solder to properly flow. Personally, I put a feeder on every section of rail I have and I'd probably put feeders on the bridge tracks even if I did the platform/joiner trick. I don't trust rail joiners to carry current...period. That should about do it. Cheers! Bob Gilmore
Here's a short trestle I made on Atlas true track (similar to Kato). I cot out plastic between a section and glued wooden ties under. Came out pretty good.
