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Let me begin by wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving.
I also give thanks to the guys on this forum who have shared their ideas with us.
I am now ready to start building my layout.
Some advice please.
I have been thinking Atlas all along, the flexible stuff, I am assuming that Atlas is pretty standard and compatible with other brands, what other brands?
I am going to need about 180 ft of track and 12 various turnouts.
Can I do this at about $1.25 per foot including cork bed? (excluding turnouts)
The burning question is, where are the best deals to be had? I have found pricing to be all over the map,
I would be pleased to receive any advice either here on the forum or at my email address.
maczimb@citlink.net
Thanks in Advance.
Mac
$1.25 for track is pushing it. Adding the cork roadbed, I dont think its possible. The flex track alon it $2-$4 a foot depending on where you purchase it. Id love to be able to get flex for under $2 a foot though. Good luck.
Atlas code 83 runs around $1.70 a foot, the cork will be about $1 a foot. If your on a budget you can build it in stages.
Atlas track is compatible with any other HO track of the same code. For example, Kato code 83 and Atlas code 83 track fit perfectly. If you get code 100 and mix it with code 83, you'd have to use or make transistion joiners.
You can get pretty close to your budget. Micro Engineering code 83 flex track can be has at
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mce/mce10104.htm for 19.79 a six pack. That's about $1.10 a foot. You can also get 25 3' sections of cork roadbed for 26.19 at
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid3013.htm. That works out to about 40 cents a foot, for a total of $1.50. With shipping, you should be just about at $1.70. Micro Engineering makes about the best flex track I've ever used in terms of ease of making and laying curves and Hobbylinc has always been a good dealer to me.
Midwest Alliance Rail Sys
Atlas track is compatible with any other HO track of the same code. For example, Kato code 83 and Atlas code 83 track fit perfectly.
What do you do for rail joiners? Kato Unitrack rail joiners are too small to fit on Atlas Code 83 track, and regular Code 83 rail joiners are too loose on Unitrack to maintain good electrical conductivity.
I just checked out hobbylinc and is this right? Aree there 33 in a package or an I reading this wrong?
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mce/mce16100.htm
I saw that one too. I think it's an error but, if not, it's a heck of a deal.
What do you do for rail joiners? Kato Unitrack rail joiners are too small to fit on Atlas Code 83 track, and regular Code 83 rail joiners are too loose on Unitrack to maintain good electrical conductivity.
I've used the Kato joiners and a needle nose pliers to snug them down on Atlas track. Once the joint soldered, it's good and strong. Maybe a better comparison would have been with Atlas and Model Engineering or Model Power.
I saw that one too. I think it's an error but, if not, it's a heck of a deal.
Yea seeing as how I planned on using flex for most of my layout I think I will order 2 boxes and see what happens.
Less than $1.00
I just ordered 198 ft of flex track and 150 ft of cork.
Total cost including freight and insurance $153. 35.
Thanks for the lead guys.
Mac
What track did you end up going with?
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