N Gauge track question.

Rail height.  Code 80 is taller than code 55.  Code 55 requires finer flanges than is available on most N scale equipment out of the box.  Stick with the code 80 for your son.

 

Rusty

Rusty

Thanks, I was thinking that was the difference.  I been running a test section of code 80 without  any issues and finding that the atlas track  is actually more stable than the bachman snap track. Anything else should I know?

Doug

You can't go wrong with Atlas N scale track. Back when the Earth was cooling I built several N scale railroads using Atlas track.

 

An alternative would be Kato Unitrack with it's molded roadbed, although it'll be more expensive.

 

Rusty

I agree with Rusty.  I bought a steamer to use on my layout (I have an amusement park on the O Gaugue layout, and so the N Gauge is the amusement park train).  It has code 55, but that was due to the tighter radius I needed.  Sure enough, the steamer needs Code 80.  That is when I found out wha tthe difference was between the two!

Way back when I was a kid I was into N and Ho used nothing but Atlas track Virtually indestructible .

If you are just running the N gauge train for an amusement park, make sure your engine is not DCC equipped or you may not be able to run it with a regular N gauge powerpack.

 

Lee Fritz

For a small N scale layout.....I'd use Kato track if at all possible. Best track out here for smaller layouts and for younger model railroaders. Great fit and trains run great!

As Dave stated, KATO you can't go wrong.  I also do N scale and really like the way it holds together and looks well.  Really well made and you can get some decent prices depending on retailer or Ebay.

 

Atlas looks good to as others have stated, but I really do like KATO.

 

Good luck.

 

stick with code 80, if you are building a permanent layout, Peco has some darn good track

Kato made some cars I wanted that I can't imagine ever being made in O so I have some. I use Kato unitrack. It's great I'm happy.

Kato kato kato.... i take it apart and redo it on a regular basis. It was designed for the japanese market, where weekend layouts, in small places are the norm. I have about 50 dcc n scale locos. Not 1 has an issue on conventional. Not saying there arent any, just saying a problem would be rare. All n scale will rin on unitrack. Code 55 wont accomodate locos with deep flanges. Any rolloing stock with deep flanges, you can swap out the wheels, inexpensively. I love N. Dont be suprised , if your son stays there. If i really believed DCC could give me DCS speed control, i would have already switched my o gauge over.

I also use Kato track on my small "N" layout. My main "runner" is a Kato GG1.

My layout is all Kato. For me, that's the only way to go. One of the main reasons I decided on kato was because they make a really nice GG1, & a double crossover.

You can't go wrong using Kato Unitrack. 

 

All my N gauge track is Atlas.  I've never had any problems with it.  And I'm guessing it's all 80 as well since none of my rolling stock ever had any issues bottoming out.

I also use Kato Unitrack, although Tomix Fine Track is more popular in Japan.

I have that double cross over.....even though I do not model N scale any longer I found one new at a train show....had Kato track at home from a one time layout....had to have it.

       
       

I had a kato gg1 custom painted in bicentennial colors about a year before kato did it. Its my favorite non steamer

I have Atlas track, Atlas switches and one Kato double crossover. If I had to do it over I would have all Kato track.

I have a N scale Kato unitrack layout 3'x8' and love it.  The Kato turnouts and double cross-overs operate so smoothly and without issue.  Kato's modular plug/play connectors and switch controllers are also excellent.

That double crossover and the double width track curves are great in Kato.

Even though this is an O gauge forum, it's good to see an N scale thread as there are many of us who participate in multiple scales. I myself work in O, HO and N.

 

As stated above, Kato's track is superb. It may seem expensive but it is worth every penny spent. I've also had good luck with Bachmann's system, using it for temporary railroads on the living room carpet. It works well and I've experienced minimal difficulty.

 

The quality of contemporary N scale equipment is superb. Properly handled, it is robust and operates very reliably. My most recent acquisition is the Atlas high nose C420 decorated in LIRR blue and yellow livery...very, very nice.

 

Bob

 

There are some REALLY cool N scale trains that I don't think will ever be modeled in O, or HO for that matter - at least not extensively.   Bullet trains are one of them   Fox Valley also makes some killer engines in addition to Kato.  The Atlas stuff is pretty nice as well.  

 

As far as track, I will put in another recommendation for Unitrack - it's just incredibly easy to use.   Last year I took a break from O and put N under the tree.  It looked a little strange, but I had an absolutely enormous layout with yards, full length sidings, you name it.    A little much for a temporary display, but it was fun while it lasted.  I don't have the space in my home to run a 25-30 car intermodal drag with triple-headed motive power in O 

honestly have done a lot of N-scale stuff but never even thought about doing it beneath the tree.... but then I have cats! 

let that image entertain you for a bit.

I started in N scale 42 years ago. I still have everything from back then. Like most teenagers I got out of trains until I got my own house. Then I moved into G scale and now have a boatload of that. A friend came over and invited me to his place to see his brand new Proto 1 Premier Bigboy about 17 years ago. The sound and smoke got me into O scale. Now I have too much of that too.

 After being in O and experiencing all the quality control issues, I keep thinking of selling everything (O and G scale) and going back where it all started (N scale).

 Kato is my choice in N scale with Atlas close behind. Unitrack is awesome! Kato seems to have 0 quality control issues. If ever a problem with an engine, you could throw them away and buy a new one. It is that affordable.

 

Some years back, there was an N scale loop of track for mounting directly ON the tree. I recall Boyd Mason selling the item in his Hazlet Train Stop. I never purchased it but I found a few pictures posted by CSX Robert on the old Atlas Forum. I believe this is the same track system I saw in the store:

 

Kato Unitrack.  Very reliable track system and the switches work great.

Hi. You might find this link helpful: http://www.nscaleinfo.com/track.html