Hi,
I am starting to lay N scale Peco Code 55 track for an 11 feet by 6 feet layout. I am using an Atlas (Code 80) 60 degree crossing at an interchange but the rest of the layout is Peco Code 55 track. I am aware that Peco Code 55 is really embedded Code 80.
I am going crazy trying to accurately align the Atlas and Peco track with joiners. I tried making a tiny metal sliver to raise one side in the joiner but it's pretty hit and miss. I tried soldering the tracks together but it's not working too well. I then tried filing the Peco Code 55 track ends to squeeze into the joiner but again not very accurate. The problem seems to be the additional longitudinal 'edge' that runs the length of the Peco track. I think it's there to assist the embedding to make the Peco track Code 55.
Anyway, I know this type of question has arisen before but I need to find an accurate way to join all four ends of the Atlas crossing with the four joining Peco tracks. Accuracy at the crossing is important because all four lines run in a short length to Peco Code 55 turnouts.
Any suggestions would be more than welcome.
Many thanks
You can get transition joiners. I work with H0 and use no joiners, I solder the rail to PC board ties at my Diamond Valley.
I align the top of the rails when soldering.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
Thanks for the response Wolfgang.
I managed to solve it another way. I cut off about two inches of Code 55 Peco flextrack. Then cut the same length of Peco Code 80 flextrack. I removed the rails from the Code 55 and changed them with the rails from the Peco Code 80. Leaving me with Code 80 track now embedded in the ties from the Code 55 (yes, the ties from Peco are slightly different heights). The Code 80 Peco does not have that extra edge causing the joining problems.
I then joined the two inches of revised track to the Code 80 Atlas crossing using a Peco joiner. Near perfect match. The other end matched perfectly with the next piece of track which is Code 55 Peco flex.
End result, very small amount of filing inside the track but the top edges all mate.
Secondary end result - a very prototypical model.
Since crossings are a high-wear/high-maintenance item they are frequently built with the heaviest available rail and castings, even if the approach tracks are much lighter. Sounds as if you've done a good job of simulating that.
My generally code 83 'Twice-n' (1:80 scale) trackage will become Code 100 at the more complex terminal throat I'll be building (multiple single and double slip switches.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)