How often are you guys finding you need to clean your track? I know some unitrack users, including myself, have said they don't have to clean their track. Just wondering if Peco users see the same thing? Also is there any problems with Peco switches? I'm looking specifically at the code 80 insulfrog type.
My experience was: If I ran trains daily, cleaning was indicated after about 3 weeks or so. But if I quite running daily or let some time go by, the track would get grungy faster. It was OK for me because every few weeks I liked to remove the trains & vehicles, vacuume the layout, and clean the track. Turnouts are no different than straight track.
I only run trains 4 or 5 times a year on my NTRAK modules where I used Peco track. I do have to clean the rails each time. I find that if I go lightly on the abrasive bright boy type cleaning and shine them up good with a silver polishing cloth the trains run better longer. As for turnouts, the flange ways are a little wide so I do have to shim them occasionally. I usually wait for a consistent problem before I glue a thin piece of plastic (I use some of the clear stuff they use to make the bubble on Microtrain parts cards). I glue a sliver of that onto the inside of the guard rails facing the main rail with super glue and come back after it dries and shave it flush with the top of the rails with a razor.
I use a combination of PECO c55 and Atlas (for hidden staging tracks), I could not detect any difference in cleaning requirements. If anything the Atlas track appears to loose conductivity sooner, but that could well be a result of being under the scenery or behind a partition wall. Cheers Dirk
I'm kinda curious about why you would choose C80 if you are going with Peco? It would be just as easy to work with the Peco C55, you get all the same benefits plus a better looking rail profile. That is probably one of the biggest benefits of using Peco; that and the positive "snap" of their turnouts. There are no clearance issues with Peco and is often touted as being "bulletproof". The biggest criticism I have heard about Peco is that is European prototype tie spacing. This is a fact that even career railroaders have not noticed on my layout (one said "it's too small to tell", another just burst out laughing). As far as cleaning goes I have always believed it has more to do with humidity and other environmental factors, as well as the quality of your power source. I have always run a dehumidifier in my trainroom (basement). I have noticed that after upgrading to a decent MRC power supply I clean my Peco less often than before. I have never seen a scientific study that proves one track is any more resistant to oxidization than another.
The code 80 is what I was able to get cheaply off ebay. At the LHS I was actually able to compare Peco code 55 next to code 80. The difference was so small, I'm not worried about it. As for the tie spacing, when comparing it to atlas code 80, I think the spacing on the peco looks better as the ties are a little finer and spaced a little closer.
I can relate to a good deal, great reason to switch. I must admit the difference between C55 and C80 is most noticeable in close photography. C80 looks fine to the naked eye and painted and weathered it looks even better. The thing to remember is as long as you enjoy it that's the important part. For me the function has always been the first consideration and appearance is secondary.
The only negative thing I have to say about Peco Switches, is the points on the switches (Where track meets Points) tends to get dirty and I have to clean them out and on a regular basis. I will use a fine emery board...again something I wouldn't recommend using liberally. However, it gets in and cleans the track and backside of the points and I'm back in operation in no time at all. Got to love the ability to use a slow motion move of a engine over the electro frog, without it hesitating or stalling Nothing but praise for the Peco Electrofrog switches as my favorite and the others do the job nicely as well. I might add: I've never had to replace a Peco Switch, unless I doo-did something to damage it. I do use the hand throws in the yard to move the points. I like the way they look even if they are somewhat oversized. I wouldn't be able to find them with my fingers or handle them if they were any smaller.
