Category: Trackwork

Standards

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A set of standards helps in building and operating a reliable model railroad layout

Before starting a model railroad layout construction, a set of standards should be established to ensure smooth operations. These standards apply to trackwork, rolling stock, wiring, and DCC. My bare minimum standards are:

NMRA Standards Gauge N Scale
  • All code 55 tracks, using Micro Engineering flextrack and Atlas turnouts
  • DCC bus and feeders with the appropriate wire gauge
  • All Micro-Trains couplers set at the proper height
  • All BMF-equipped DCC decoders
  • Properly maintained and cleaned rolling stock
  • Properly maintained and cleaned tracks (using white spirits and graphite)

By strictly adhering to these standards, you can ensure smooth operating sessions and, ultimately, an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Flextrack and Turnouts

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Atlas code 55 turnouts and Micro Engineering code 55 flextrack are my choice

With my previous layouts, I have consistently favored N scale Atlas turnouts and Micro Engineering flextrack, both code 55.

  • They look realistic
  • They are reliable
  • They are reasonably priced

For this layout, the materials I chose to purchase are no exception.

While other brands, such as Peco, manufacture Fine Scale Code 55 track and turnouts – which I used extensively on some older European layouts – the tie spacing does not look prototypical for North American railroads.

Atlas code 55 #5 N scale turnouts and Micro Engineering Company code 55 flextrack
Atlas code 55 #5 N scale turnouts and Micro Engineering Company code 55 flextrack

Reliable operations

Mixing two track manufacturers is not generally advisable for reliable operations, but Atlas and Micro Engineering seem to connect without any issues. On my previous layout, I did not experience any trackwork problems or derailments that impacted operating sessions.