Atlas Flex Track...

strummer Jun 5, 2016

  1. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    just about all the z-tailers have it in stock now. We can't say specifics per Trainboard rules.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2016
  2. Commodore

    Commodore TrainBoard Member

    138
    115
    12
    Thanks!
     
  3. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Mine will be here Friday, won't be able to pick up until Tuesday tho. Time for a new 'big' Z-Bend Track module. Another Yard coming up too.
     
  4. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    I finally got time this week to get some pictures. I ordered a box (5 stacks of 5 tracks). Stacks are twist tied:

    Atlas 2810_from the box__3D view.jpg Atlas 2810_from the box_top view.jpg

    Ties are brown, about the same size, spikes a bit larger, slight variation tie-to-tie, tie plate noticeable. Nice grain detail (none with MTL black flex ties but spikes smaller, well centered and smaller (thinner) tie-plate. One rail fixed, other flexes (like most all N scale flex).

    Rail head (the 'tread' surface) is very similar to märklin, Peco and Rokuhan. MTL uses a thinner rail head for both flex and roadbed track. While use modellers prefer the thinner, more prototypical head, this new flex is 24" long and welcome to the Z scale world.

    Here are some comparison to MTL flex:

    Atlas & MTL_side by side-top view-1.jpg Atlas over MTL_Tie compare-3D view.jpg Atlas over MTL_Tie compare-side view.jpg
     
    Kurt Moose and Doug A. like this.
  5. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Here is the back side:

    MTL & Atlas backside.jpg

    Here are all the tracks: Atlas flex, MTL flex, märklin track piece, MTL & Rokuhan roadbed track:

    Atlas, MTL-F, m, MTL-r, Rokuhan-r.jpg

    And Code 55 joiners from Atlas, Micro Engineering, märklin, MTL (with tab) and MTL without tab:

    Joiners_Atlas, ME, m, MTL-t, MTL.jpg

    Atlas with Atlas joiner in märklin (comparable rail head):

    Atlas joiner with märklin.jpg

    Atlas with Atlas joiner and MTL flex (note gap and loose fit to MTL flex):

    Atlas joiner with MTL.jpg

    Atlas with MTL joiner and MTL with Atlas joiner:

    Atlas w-MTL joiner, MTL w-Atlas joiner.jpg
     
  6. BillMock

    BillMock TrainBoard Member

    161
    56
    20
    An outstanding "tech report" Jeff!
    Thanks for the education.
    Bill Mock
     
  7. EMD F7A

    EMD F7A TrainBoard Member

    1,250
    148
    26
    GUYS!!! This stuff looks great! I am about to buy for my Noch "big" preformed layout. Big question;

    What switches will these mate with? Can I use Rokuhan switches (and cork under the flex to get height) or marklin or...?!
     
  8. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    märklin is roadbed-less and rail head size is the same but tie spacing and tie design are quite different so the turnouts will stand out, especially with that side mounted control. You could cut that last 6" or so of the flex ties and begin to space them farther apart to match the wider märklin tie spacing. The Rokuhan turnouts have tie design similar to the Atlas but have that same wide tie spacing. Micro-Trains Line (a.k.a. MTL) has same tie spacing as Atlas. When joining the track, there will be small 'misalignment' due to the thinner MTL rail head but this is random angled (straight versus curves, etc.) and everything will run through it (consider what locos and rolling stock do when they go through a turnout). Speaking of that, have you ever looked down the rail path of any of the turnouts, from eyeball level? It's not pretty.

    Obviously, you need to have roadbed under the flex to match the rail height of road-embedded turnouts. For the Noch and Rokuhan preforms, the märklin may be best as raising the roadbed for the flex starts to get a bit high for that type of layout purpose. Keep it simple.
     
  9. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Thanks for the photo documentary of the new Atlas flex. I *just yesterday* ordered a box too. I don't have immediate plans for it but I just wanted to send the message to Atlas that we will support the Z-scale product line. I do intend to use it for my next layout assuming turnouts are also forthcoming. I may build some modules in the mean time just to run trains on it.
     
  10. Paul Graf

    Paul Graf TrainBoard Member

    221
    147
    21
    Turnouts are coming. We are finishing up the design on them now.
     
  11. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Thanks Paul. I know you guys hinted/stated that but I guess I am always cautious about assuming too much until we see something concrete. (at least official announcement or marketing materials) The road to model railroading H#ll is paved with "announcements" that never happened. :)

    The rumor is #5's are going to be first? I was hoping for #10's or at worst #7's. Is the geometry going to be the same as N C55? Would be fun to start some track planning. I mean, that would improve our patience level *immensely*. :D(y)
     
    Kez likes this.
  12. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Awesome to hear, Paul. "Drop-in's" for the mass market would be *well* received for all the typical 2x3', 3x4' and what I see when I see posts on the web and visiting Altenbeken, Germany (a *HUGE* Z scale convention held every 2 years [2018 is next]). However, a larger turnout for the mainlines of larger or Z-Bend Track models would be *REALY* helpful but don't see this as a large percentage. But, like they say, "build it and, we will come, er, buy".
     
    Kez likes this.
  13. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Dumb question, but I've been using Rokuhan track since I got into Z. What does everyone use for roadbed?
     
  14. Paul Graf

    Paul Graf TrainBoard Member

    221
    147
    21
    The designs are not finalized but we are looking at one size turnout and a matching crossing.
     
  15. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

    755
    665
    32
    In the past, I have used Midwest N Scale cork roadbed, cut in half lengthwise. Works out pretty well, especially with the longer length available.
     
  16. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

    804
    241
    21
    Try 1/8" cork. Using the Rokuhan A014 track adapter, you'll need to do a bit of sanding of the cork at the junction since the A014 uses a slot for the Atlas track that slightly less the 1/8".

    Mark
     
  17. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Wow. From that, I'm guessing I will be disappointed then. The only turnout with a "matching crossing" in Atlas' world is a number 5.

    In a market dominated by super tight turnouts, why? Don't understand it, but then again I'm not writing the checks. At least I saved myself from buying a bunch of cork.

    Sitting here staring at my beautiful flextrack that arrived this morning and now....wooooosh. (sound of wind being let out of my sails)
     
  18. z.scale.hobo

    z.scale.hobo TrainBoard Member

    228
    210
    15
    Doug: Where do you find definitions for this lingo #10, #7, #5? I have no idea what those are and how they translate to existing z scale turnouts. Thanks if you can help me to understand this basic terminology.
     
  19. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Number turnouts:
    It is how much the frog diverging angle is, assuming straight exit rails. So if the divergent rail goes 1" away from the non-divergent rail over 5", its a #5.
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ISTsEVhLXazr_lW56LUy9SJ4_96NGPcgeKF-9AnKkMM/edit
    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...REOREdbBm1HG1JDNQ&sig2=_qjgy0-zNomAh47Rdq8UTg

    A Radius turnout is different, as the divergent rail is no longer a straight, continuing the points curvature. So, the frog may be a 5 (equivalent) but the divergent rail continues in a radius would make the 5 example above more like a 4 or so. All the Z turnouts are Radius turnouts
     
  20. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    Well, mostly it's from years and years of visually comparing the various turnouts, and particularly Atlas' C55 line in N and Shinohara and Atlas turnouts in HO. It's not always as simple as turnout number, but in the case of comparing Atlas to Atlas, I suspect it will be close.

    Here is a pretty comprehensive doc by Rich Kolm that seems to cover the subject pretty well. It's HO-centric, but that information pretty well translates to all scales.
    http://www.pcrnmra.org/pcr/clinics/Kolm-TurnoutsWhatYouNeedtoKnow-PCR2008-handout.pdf

    The important sections for the purpose of this discussion are "Turnout Dimensions" on page 2 and "Using turnouts in layout design" on page 6.

    One other note...Atlas may be following the geometry of some line other than their C55 line in N, so that may give us something besides a #5. But a number 5 is terrible news if that's gonna be their only turnout.
     

Share This Page