I am planning to expand a layout which currently has standard Atlas code 80 track, using Micro Engineering code 70 track. Any suggestions for transition from 80 to 70, and how is Micro Engineering track (and turnouts) to work with?
Welcome aboard!! While I have no experience with ME C70, its profile being only .010" shorter than Atlas c80, which is what I use, a small file could make up the difference..... Or solder the track together with a modified rail joiner, bent slightly upward to accept the c70. Aren't there joinersout there made for this type of thing????
I am at my office and do not have access to my referance books, but yes there are transition rail joiners. I know they are made to go between 83 and 70, 100 and 83 as well as 100 and 70. I think if you look in Walthers you can find it. I solder the two tracks together with a small spacer underneath the code 70 rail to bring it to the code 100 hight. I then remove the spacer, ballast the area and it dissappears. Hope this helps.
Maybe use Peco joiners on the Atlas 80 and crush the half that sticks out then solder the code 70 to that? Peco joiners are fairly fine so may crush to about .010" which is the difference between the two rails. Oh, and for joining your ME 70, try Peco's Z joiners. They are very small and fit the ME rail really tight - almost to the point of being too hard to put on. Barely noticable when weathered and ballasted.
