This is a photo of an experiment I did. I replace much of the Kato Unitrack with Atlas True- Track on my home layout. I really like the appearance of the True-Track. I have so much Unitrack that is it not feasible for me to totally replace it all. The True-Track looked great with steam era locomotives and trains.
I like the looks of the True Track, too. If desired, the code 65 runs the old pizza cutters, but the tie spacing, etc., look pretty good. While my current layout is Atlas C55 flex, in the future, when I downsize, etc., I hope to build perhaps a shelf layout using something like that. However, it doesn't seem like Atlas supports it, at least I rarely see it at the LHS and feel like its not in constant production. Anyone know the real status? Did you do anything to match the rail height at the connection point? Also, got to ask.....unfinished scene or did you model the biggest car crash that little town had ever seen?
Jeff, I purchased the initial True-Track in my inventory directly from Atlas. Then for the next items I asked the local hobby shop owner to order some for me. He is now stocking it regularly. If we ever get moved to a new home, I will be using True-Track at least in all the yards on the next layout. I have already experimented with that concept; Unitrack turnout off Unitrack main, then True-Track in the yard.
I really like the looks of True-Track also. Except for the turnouts. I would much rather have numbered turnouts. Or at least something comparable to the Code 80 ones. With the current TT turnouts the track spacing, for parallel tracks, is much too wide. A few years ago, at Trainfest in Milwaukee, I was told by someone at Atlas that they planned on expanding the line, including numbered turnouts. But so far... nothing. I don't know if that's because it hasn't sold that well, or for other reasons. I would think with the limited selection sales would be minimal. I think if Atlas were to "recreate" the Code 80 sectional line, in True-Track, (i.e. 9-3/4", 11", & 19" radius; 5" straight, 35, 45, 90 degree crossings, #4 & 6 turnouts, etc.) it would sell pretty well. I know I'd buy it.
Here is another use of True-Track I tried. I have no idea what Atlas has planned for True-Track. I am hopeful with Paul Graf leading the n-scale efforts, the possibilities are promising.
I had initially used True-Track on my small 2'x 4' layout but quickly found out that the turnouts (switches) were not compatible with a lot of my older steamers. (Rivarossi 0-8-0, Minitrix 2-10-0, even some more modern Bachmann steamers would not make it through the frogs. I liked the looks but operation has priority so I switched to UniTrack and have never looked back. Fred
Fred, I did not run enough steam locomotives to determine how the True-Track worked on my mainline. I had only a few True-Track turnouts on the mail line during that experiment. Wish we could get Paul Graf from Atlas to provide us an update on the status of True-Track.
