I am in the planning stage for an n scale layout and I am needing to know two things: First what code track should I use for the main line and what code track for the industry and siding, Secondly, the layout I plan to use has a minimum turnout of 6, I want to use the Peco turnouts but they have theirs in medium and large, so which size turnouts would fit a number 6?
hi Jammin,
i just looked at the Peco site, they are selling code 80 track in N-scale. This is about code 150 in HO; pretty heavy for mainline track. The Atlas code 55 track would be more appropriate (about code 100 in HO). For branch line track you are on your own, code 40 track (code 70 in HO) can be bought, though you 'll have to build your switches yourself.
The medium switches of Peco are good substitutes for #6 switches. If you intend to run long cars (89 ft in reality) you might chose for the large stuff. especially in crossovers and go for a 18+ inch long minimum radius. IMHO the minimum radius should be at least 3 times the length of your longest car or engine in N-scale.
Smile
Paul
Peco makes both Peco80 and Peco55. Peco55 is code 80 but has a double flange. The rail is buried in the ties so it looks very close in size to standard code 55 rail . It is a very robust good quality track.
Peco track both 80 and 55 has a slightly smaller rail head than other brands of code 80 track. This makes it look smaller when painted and ballasted.
One complaint some have about Peco N scale track is that it has an European rather than North American appearance.
Peco medium switches are their closest to a #6
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
No PECO N scale turnouts will be a "drop-in" replacement for #6s in any published plan.
This is because PECO turnouts are unique in that they have a diverging curve after the frog. Code 55 PECO flex track and turnouts are available. PECO Code 55 is actually taller Code 80 rail embedded within the ties. I think it looks fine once painted and ballasted, others have different views.
PECO Code 55 Small, Medium, and Large turnouts all have a #6 frog, amazingly. The difference is in how sharply the diverging track curves, which is 12"R, 18"R, and 36"R respectively. The Medium is more equivalent to a straight leg #5 in this regard than to a #6. But having said that, they seem to handle nearly all equipment because the diverging curve design is very smooth.
But for crossovers, as has been said, the Large is a safer bet.
There is limited ability to have smaller than Code 55 in N scale. There are no mass-produced turnouts. Code 70 and Code 40 flex track have been sporadically available from MicroEngineering, but some older locomotive and railcar models will not work because the flanges hit the molded-on "spikes" that hold the rails in place on Code 40.
So if your question is: "Which PECO turnout gives the same performance as a straight-leg #6?", then it's generally the Medium, perhaps except in crossovers.
But if your question is, "Which PECO turnout is a drop-in replacement for a straight-leg #6 in a published plan?", the answer is none. The plan would have to be modified, which is not that hard.
Other options include Atlas Code 55. Also fine track, but they don't offer a #6, instead a #5, #7 and #10.
Best of luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Well I really thought about using Peco turnouts cause they offered an electrified frog. Is there another manufacturer tht has turnouts that are electrified?
Are you planning to use DCC? or DC Cab Control? IF DCC is in your future, you should be aware that Peco Electrofrogs are NOT DCC friendly. You'll need to cut gaps in the rail to prevent short circuits (really, you have to do that for DC as well...)
This shot shows Atlas c80 track, which is very similar in appearance to Peco 80. Note the plump ties, spaced too far apart, and the way too tall rail. Even when disguised with paint and ballast, this track looks clunky compared to...
The first thing you should notice is how the rail profile looks more like real rail. It's got that familiar "I" shape, with a distinct base, vertical web, and rail head. The old Atlas and Peco track have a vertical rectangle for a rail head, which was designed to accommodate ancient N scale rolling stock with pizza cutter wheel flanges. Newer equipment, even Micro Trains, is now offered with wheels that look and work better on closer-to-scale track.
The Atlas code 55 track is a superior choice, not only for appearance, but also more flexibility in how the turnout can be controlled, and how the power can be routed.. You can route power via the frog on the Atlas c55 turnouts, without having to cut extra gaps.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
I am planning on using DCC. I think I remember the staff talking about that in a Cody's Office episode?
I agree the Atlas code 55 looks very good, but has problems running some locomotives. I bought a couple of Atlas turnouts and everything derailed, even with low profile wheels. Newer locomotives may well run better, but not everyone can afford to discard locomotives and rolling stock.
I use Peco code 55, and despite the tie spacing, when weathered and ballasted looks good. What's more, it runs GREAT with everything. I have Kato locomotives from the early 90's that breeze through all the Peco turnouts, even ones I took up from a previous layout and re-layed.
It's your choice, but for me I'd go for reliability over appearance. Much less frustration. In a recent Model Railroader there was an article in which the author was filing Atlas turnouts trying to get stuff to run well, and wound up grinding down locomotive wheels!
Good luck if you want to spend all your modeling time doing that. I prefer to run trains and construct the layout. Nothing is perfect so just have fun.
If your locomotive flanges are NMRA compliant, and your wheels are in gauge, you can run anything you like through Atlas 55 turnouts. And it takes about a minute to check and adjust wheels on an N scale locomotive, not the 30 minutes suggested by Mr. Kelly in the recent column. Frankly, I found that statement to be a little off-putting, and feeding the fire that N scale is too finicky to work with for the average modeler. Bunkum, I say.
west willow and laurel In a recent Model Railroader there was an article in which the author was filing Atlas turnouts trying to get stuff to run well, and wound up grinding down locomotive wheels!
In a recent Model Railroader there was an article in which the author was filing Atlas turnouts trying to get stuff to run well, and wound up grinding down locomotive wheels!
I seen that article. That was nuts!
I use Micro Engineering code 70 flex track with Shinohara turnouts, pretty much. I have a couple of Peco's, too. I tried selling Atlas track in a garage sale and received no takers.
-Paul
Hello, Will con cor mid 90s steam engines run on peco code 55?
Hi,
I could only encourage You to use code 55 track for N scale, this track is still heavy for N, but has a more light apparence.
I used Peco code 55 since it appears on the market and it's a extremly good track for N scale.
Even if he didn't have a 100% US track look, when weathered and ballasted it's a light and very nice track and more important the system is nearly bulletproof.
The medium turnout are an around n°6 turnout by US standard, the larger an around n°8.
Nearly everything produced since the 80's run quite well on this track, but in the same logic, try to use more recent steam loco and diesel, produced after 2005 because they run extremely well besides their counterparts of the 80's and 90's.
Peco track code 55 is stronger than Atlas code 55 especialy for the turnouts points. Atlas code 55 turnouts have a lighter look than the Peco's one. Older models didn't sometimes run on this track because of "pizza cutter flanges" on wheels.
Not often mentionned it's Micro Engenering; it's also a strong track whith only a n° 6 turnout aviable, but extremly well enginered. ME offer different track like Peco and an handfull bridge track whith special spaced ties and guardrails.
As an issue there is also Fastrack which offer numerous jigs to handbuild turnout in code 55 in Nscale; they are based on the Micro Engenering track ( www.handlaidtrack.com).
But remember, all the system track you could use is perfect only if you lay it correctly; check the track again and again, try to use large and smooth curves and aligment; the files of rail must floooowww each togheter, whithout any flaws.
Today I use ME track whith Fastrack turnout and handlaid ones.
It's possible to join Peco track whith Atlas or ME track by trimming the bottom feet of the Peco Track. (all in code 55 of course).
Good luck anyway and happy new year.
Just a note: I am all Peco C55 track and Electrofrog turnouts and all Digitrax DCC and all my turnouts are quite friendly without doing any extra cutting. Easy to install, very reliable and make sure you gap the frog rail ends as you install. Keep the points and hinges clean and run trains. After the track is painted and ballasted you will be quite happy with the appearance and you won't have to use a micro ruler to see the minute differance between American and Euro spacing. If I had to do it all over again I would still go with Peco. Good reliable track and turnouts. Doug