Refining N scale, phase out of code 80, with code 55 being the primary replacem

I'd say might as well go for it as it is surely one dead horse beaten many, many ways....

 

I have been using c55, but find it quite touchy with regard to derailing. Seems the larger wheel flanges don't like c55. I have inherited a bunch of c80, and thinking about using it as I expand. I think c80 is more stable. Looks don't matter if your trains are off the track!

 

I have been running code 80 because that was the most bang fro the buck. All my track is atlas code 80. I have not built my big dream layout yet, when i do I mite switch over to code 55, but for now I'll stick with the 8o on my curent project.

 

I am a 100% user of Atlas and ME code 55 track because of the prototypical realism they provide. As for other lines of track, the market should decide and I really have no opinion. For the record, I have used other Atlas and Peco track in the past and never had any performance issues. Jamie

 

Who reserected this old pole? and why? to save the old out of scale tinplate looking code 80 track? talk about stirring up a hornets nest.
I have code 55, and I don't have to worry about my flanges hitting the spikes, nor do I have to worry about the flanges hitting the code 40 rail. Atlas came out with code 60 sectional track which looks way better than the code 80. Too many resources spread out that could be better used on one size track. Repeat, too many resources spread out to make too many varieties of track, and not enough variety in each size. Got the picture?

But thats ok, use what you like. I still think its an anchor in antiquity.

Rob

 

This is a silly poll. The idea that a bunch of people on a forum should decide the fate of all N scalers!

I am for manuafacturers meeting the demands of the market, even if a large segment wants code 80.

Personally, I hand laid my track in code 40 back in the mid 1970s, before I went away to college in the late 1970s. This began a long period of time without a layout as a got a job, got married, had kids, a career, etc.

When I began to return in 1999 (when coincidentally, I bought a house with a basement), I was pleased to see that Peco had released a C55 line, and even more surprised that the Shinohara Code 60 track from the 1980s had disappeared.

Shortly after that Atlas announced their C55 line to my delight - and since I (still) have little time for modelling (or hand laying track) I am using Atlas C55 on my layout.

Mark

 

This is a silly poll. The idea that a small group of people on a forum could dictate what the masses will get!

I am for choices. Even if it means Code 80 is still liked by many.

My background: I hate Code 80 track. Code 70 too!

In the mid 1970s as a teen I hand layed my track with code 40 rail. Then I went to college and began a long period of model railroad dormancy (job, marriage, kids, etc). I still sporadically read mags and bought some locos here and there - escpecially after the Atlas RS3 came out in '83. Hoping to return one day.

Around 1999 we bought a house with a basement. I decided to allocate an area for my train room. I was surprised to see that the Shinohara Code 60 track from the 1980s had disappeared, but please to see that Peco had released a C55 line. Shortly after that Atlas announced their C55 line.

I am still pressed for time, so hand laying is not for me at this point, so the Atlas code 55 is a good compromise for me.

I am for standards such as the NMRA sets for flangeways, etc. I learned the importance of this when I was desgining turnouts for my layout back in the 1970s.

We are fortunate today to have choices. Back in the 70s it was code 80 or hand lay.

I believe that as better options continue to come available, then more people will move to the more realistic track. This seems to have happened somewhat in HO with the move away from Code 100. HO scale went through it's own flange revolution about 40 years ago.

But I am still for choices.

Mark

 

I could only get thru the first 5 pages of this "discussion" before I tired of the "in-fighting" I like and use C55 because i like the look and dont mind the extra challenges of getting the sub roadbed, road bed, track, switches,(some handlayed) ballast lay'd right so i have reliable operation. Ihave found that there are the same problems with out of guage track, and switches in c55 as the other code sizes. Ialso feel that C80 track and "pizza cutter" flanges are more forgiving to those who's skills and penchant for finicky details arent the same as mine. Also its hard to argue with Unitrack being bullet proof and Ideal for those who just want to run trains with little fiddling. There are those who are like me, and those who wish to keep it simple and aren't detail oriented. All this being said there are good and sufficient reasons for all the varietys of all the Modeling supplies. It allowes all of us to do our own thing. It has taken some time but there are more and more pieces of different C55 track work coming out, and no one is being forced to do anything. there have been vast improvements over the years in the hobby. I started in 1968 in N so I've seen nearly all of them. I would like to see some of the things mentioned in this thread addressed faster as would some of you others. Code 55 track will probably become the "standard" as time goes by. With the advent of these forums the industry has an enormusly bigger window to look thru,to detirmine ther future directions. I think that we'll see considerable increases in the responce time to our wants. the market is competitive and growing, Research and developement and tooling costs vs profit margin will be the only factors in slowing the release of new and better products. So why all the ANIMOSITY?arghh:
P.S. Some times we are so busy trying to be right that we fail to stop and think what we are trying to say and what others are also trying to say!

 

If people are so inclined to their respective quest for knowledge then they'll find the answer they are looking for, as most here have done. They found the answers they wanted.

This is non-sense suggesting that we should eliminate things to "move the ball forward". Darwinism applies in business economics as much as it does nature. Obviously some pencil pusher with a calculator has found that the "hi-rail" stuff still sells. Otherwise they'd get rid of it in leiu of whatever does sell.

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. The predominant motive of this hobby is "at-will" unfortunately people don't understand it.

 

I am not ashamed to say I use the code 80, and until I have a huge budget for model railroading, I will still keep on using code 80. That does not make me a worse modeler though. I have chosen this route because of a budget, and perhaps one day I will Code 55 if the finances permit!

My 2 cents worth!
Cheers!
Adam

:tb-biggrin:

 

I posted earlier on this thread. I went back and added a P.S. to it. This is a P.P.S. Lets all ENJOY this Hobby! Leave out the lazy refferences. just because you dont enjoy tke fidley parts of the hobby doesnt mean you shouldnt be able to enjoy the --HOBBY-- Admin. If I've gotten out of line, Please deleat my Input Thanks! Happy Modeling All.. What ever patrs of the hobby you enjoy!:tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin:

 

Hey guys,

Personally I don't care what anyone else uses on their own layout, its your business. I do care that resources (industry wide) are wasted on trackage that is now lousy looking compared to whats out there. Our locomotives have improved to HO detail levels, as does some of the rolling stock and structures. It would be nice, and more economical to have maybe two track sizes vice the four we have now. Get em on one "plate" so that our variety can be increased. Its no biggy to me, if I need something, I'll build it. Its more for the scale than anything else. Look at HO, quite a variety of turnouts, compared with N we are in a sorry state of affairs when it comes to track selection. For all improvements that have been made, (thanks to Atlas for their code 55 line which is becoming the track line we need) N scale development is still lagging behind at a snails pace.
But Personally I don't believe we need to dwell on this anymore, whats the point? It will only serve to alienate people, cause all kinds of _*)*( etc etc) use what you want and let it be that. (it only irks me when I see a great layout, with highly detailed locomotives
and freight cars go through a scene only to be riding on that (tinplate looking abomination code 80 rail) Nice effort no cigar!

Rob