I've been advised that some older locomotives and perhaps rolling stock would not run well on code 55 track. I'm running kato Mikados and recently purchased new Microtrains cars. Anyone see a problem? The way I understand it Peco Universal N is really code 80 but partially buried into the ties so only 0.055 is what the wheels see. Thanks Bob
I've been running Kato Mikes on Peco C55 for years and never had any problems. I also have been running Bachmann, Con-Cor, Life-Like, and Model Power engines, and an assortment of very old to new cars, again with no problems. As you say, Peco C55 is actually C80 with 0.025" buried in the tie. So there is no need for a plastic tang on the inside to secure the rail to the tie that would interfere with a pizza-cutter flange as with other manufacturer's track.
I have run quite a bit of old N scale rolling stock (from the 1970s, most of which has large flanges) on Peco code 55 flextrack and Peco code 55 turnouts, and this works fine. I am very happy with the Peco code 55 track for this reason. Some people don't like the Peco code 55 track because the tie spacing is not right for US railroads. This does not happen to bother me, and I like the appearance of my Peco code 55 rail much better than some code 80 rail I have in other parts of my layout. To be fair, there is no doubt that Atlas code 55 track is beautiful. But it does not have the flange clearance to allow use of N scale rolling stock that has larger flanges.
I went with c55 Peco for a couple of reasons: incredibly durable and many switch configurations (curved, 3-way, double slip, scissor crossover). I have never had a problem running any rolling stock or locomotives. No regrets.
I have used Peco code 55 for 20 years and can still run trains through it at 150 scale miles per hour. It is the most rugged track out there, runs all types of train reliably and best of all has the Peco turnout spring, so that you do not need to purchase switch machines.
