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I found some old micro engineering track and have a few questions.
Is this track very prototypical in regards to tie size and spikes? Could I get away with using it as branch line track?
I'm wanting to create a scene where the track has a lot of dirt and sand on it that has accumulated over time something like in this photo. I've seen photos of branch lines near the coast with sand, mud, and dirt almost covering the ties.
I'd appreciate if anyone has any photos of what they have done with their micro engineering track.
The current issue of "Railroad Model Craftsman" has a good article on weathering a track. As for the Micro Track it is code 83 and comes it two types weather and no-weathered. In your case it does not matter much since you are going to model it in a very weathered design. Good Lick.
The current issue of "Railroad Model Craftsman" has a good article on weathering a track. As for the Micro Track it is code 83 and comes it two types weather and no-weathered. In your case it does not matter much since you are going to model it in a very weathered design. Good Lick.
I also use ME track in both code 83 and 70. I think the track looks much better than atlas track although I dont know if it is exactly scale, but it looks good to my eye. Also working with ME flex track is more difficult than atlas flex track. Its not terrible but care needs to be takin when bending it
I also use ME track in both code 83 and 70. I think the track looks much better than atlas track although I dont know if it is exactly scale, but it looks good to my eye. Also working with ME flex track is more difficult than atlas flex track. Its not terrible but care needs to be takin when bending it
I don't know if it is to scale. They do look good especially for mainline track, but I'd probably not use it on scenes near the edge of a layout; would probably go with hand laid because my next layout will be a branch line.
I'm considering Central Valley ties on my next diorama that will depict branch line track and see what I can do with those.
I'll be comparing the two dioramas and will pick the look I like best for my next layout.
Last night I dry brushed some of the ties with a bit of grey to bring out some detail and to show aging on some of the ties. I regret not scraping up some of the ties a bit. I'm sure it will all come together after the painting of the rails, ballasting, a light wash, and weathering.
I haven't been able to find ANY ME track in any of the local hobby shops. I'm doing my staging with Athern(?) Code 83. It's looks ok, but I've got nothing to compare it to. I also cannot find rail or ties for hand laying. I'm loath to buy a bundle as I doubt I'll use 99' of rail on my small layout. The owner of the local shop has been waiting a long time for anything to come in.
I haven't been able to find ANY ME track in any of the local hobby shops. I'm doing my staging with Athern(?) Code 83. It's looks ok, but I've got nothing to compare it to. I also cannot find rail or ties for hand laying. I'm loath to buy a bundle as I doubt I'll use 99' of rail on my small layout. The owner of the local shop has been waiting a long time for anything to come in.
You might have to order it directly from ME. I got an e-mail from them saying code 55 in HO scale flex track has been discontinued. I should have stocked up on that flex track years ago.
I also cannot find rail or ties for hand laying. I'm loath to buy a bundle as I doubt I'll use 99' of rail on my small layout. The owner of the local shop has been waiting a long time for anything to come in.
I buy rail and PCB ties from Fast Tracks. Their prices are ok and they deliver fairly fast. I buy the 18" long rail so to keep the shipping cost down. http://www.handlaidtrack.com/
They also have wood ties but I bought wood ties from Kappler lumber.
I also use ME track in both code 83 and 70. I think the track looks much better than atlas track although I dont know if it is exactly scale, but it looks good to my eye. Also working with ME flex track is more difficult than atlas flex track. Its not terrible but care needs to be takin when bending it
... I also cannot find rail or ties for hand laying. I'm loath to buy a bundle as I doubt I'll use 99' of rail on my small layout. The owner of the local shop has been waiting a long time for anything to come in.
The Proto87 shops has rail and you have a choice between full bundles and anything else in between. Rail lengths from 18 to 36". Campbell's profile ties are available again, as well as Kappler. I set up a jig on my table saws, (a full size 10"saw and a small 4" saw), and I cut my own ties.
