hi all,
still plugging away on the layout, but thinking ahead
was wondering what cars are recommended for
atlas flex code 55 ?
what cars do atlas flex users run the most ?
is peco really the best as far as being able to handle "any" make car ?
do i only get cars with low profile flanges ? atlas only ?
how about steel wheels ?
i ordered a trainman csx box to do a weather on
sticking to my prototype...was this a bad move ?
i haven't laid any track yet, but i did purchase a few sections
of atlas flex. i'll do a test run soon.
damn didn't even get into locos yet...lol.
thanks all !
peace,
phil
advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
Filfreight,
I answered before, but my 'Net connection dropped and I lost my response. I'll give it a shot again, short and sweet.
First, all current production cars with the possible exception of Bachmann, LifeLike, Industrial, etc on the low end will operate on Atlas Code 55. Some equipped with Micro-Trains trucks need the LoProfile wheel replacement, but said replacement is very easy. MT cars being produced today are packaged with both their old "pizza cutters" and with the LoProfile wheels.
Second, the Atlas Trainman car will operate just fine on Atlas C55, you didn't make a mistake there.
Third, with the possible exception of some ancient cars from before the 80s, everything out there will run on Peco C55.
Metal wheels are fine on C55, if not, you can replace either the wheels or if necessary the trucks.
Incidentally, the wheels don't need to be lo profile, simply standard profile will work fine. Atlas C55 meets NMRA specs.
Grace and peace, BD
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
that's cool...
when i first started getting back into this
(about 2 turkeys ago..lol) i went to my LHS
and picked a the Bachmann Highballer set
just for fun to run around the xmas tree...
it's tough for me to get trains here in the NYC/NJ
area so it's alot of on-line ordering for me.
i just wanted to get opinions before i ring up
my card uselessly !
peace,
phil
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
filfreight wrote:
Bad move? Not necessarily, it depends on two factors. First, how old the design and engineering on the specific model you picked is. The older Bachmann stuff is pretty poor. Newer product is better engineered, to the point where the best current production steam locomotive is a Bachmann, their Spectrum line 2-8-0 Consolidation. Second is, luck. The Bachmann plant in China apparently has two Mondays every week. :P Quality control can be spotty.Uh oh Biker Dad....I got a good deal on a Bachmann loco.... Bad move ? Everyone thanks for the advice, Peace, Phil
Re:advice on cars...atlas flex code 55
Biker Dad,
I believe it is the newer ones. I ordered
a diesel NS Dash 8-40C yesterday.
Ironically there is also a new topic about this....
Here's the link....
http://www.nscale.net/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-4896.html
I'll let ya know when I get it.
Thanks, peace,
Phil
Atlas flex and cars/loco's
Filfreight, is it hard for you to get out? I see that BLW is in NJ. I don't know how far you are from Manalapan NJ, but that would be a place for you to go to. I guess I have been lucky in that everything I have is newer stuff (after 2000). I live in Nashville Tenn, try finding anything good here! I guess you aren't supposed to have hobbies in Tennessee, unless it's drinking, watching Nascar, or listening to Goat Roper music. 
Jacko
Besides Model Trains I
Besides Model Trains I enjoy having a few cold ones while watching Nascar. The wife and I love foot stomping to Goat Roper Music.
You should try a little foot stompin to what ever music you enjoy. It may do you a world of good.
Oh, in case you didn't know, Nashville is the home of Goat Roper Music and I think several major train shows a year. Why even Target has Thomas the Tank Engine, Smokey Mt Train rides, and 100's of train hobby shops for all scales.
Maybe, if it's possible, you should get out more.
I live in the Heart of Dixie, Alabama and we have a good
selection of Local Hobby shops and several large train clubs.
BTY, I believe BLW prefers to doing business over the internet than walk in customers. I also believe it's a family business and he does it from a shop by his home.
See ya
Ron
Well 69Z28.............
I know all about what this place (Nashville) is. I worked in radio for 18 years and one of the stations was a goat roper station. I have been here about 4 years and it is ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC that there are no good hobby shops here. Maybe I will have to go to 'Bama for my hobby needs.
Pat
Well Jacko .............I
Well Jacko .............
I don't know what to say about your opinion of Nashville. You live there I don't.
I've visited it several times over the years and always found it a nice town. It's people friendly, plenty of things to do, and places to go.
I've lived in NYC, upper NY state, Long Island, NJ, NC, Mississippi, and never was unhappy in any places I have been. And although it has not happened to me, I would leave any place where I was not satisfied. That may or may not be an option for you.
There are a couple of hundred Hobby/Train shops across the state. I've never visited any so can't comment on them.
Most of today's LHS's are pathetic in their N scale selection. The future of LHS's dealing with trains are dim at best and will fade away with time. There are a few exceptions and they will survive through their Internet business.
See ya
Ron
Hi Ron (OT)
69Z28 wrote:
I've lived in NYC, upper NY state, Long Island, NJ, NC, Mississippi, and never was unhappy in any places I have been. ...See ya
Ron
Ron,
I've also lived in NYC (winters and summers), upper NY state (near Watertown, summers and winters), and spent some time in NJ and Misissippi (summers only). I missed NC, but I've spent time in Georgia, Florida, Texas and Kansas. I've never been as happy as when I got back to San Francisco.
Granted, we'll have a big earthquake sooner or later, but for me, it beats 90 degrees and 90% humidity (east coast), tornados (Kansas), hurricanes, snow in El Paso and a week in Dallas when the low nighttime temperature was 92.
I don't miss 20' snow drifts, armadillos on the road, no-see-ums. poison ivy, kudzu, "4 seasons" (cold, nice, sweltering and nice) and icy roads.
I'm also old enough so that I'll probably miss the Big One (that's what we call the earthquake to come), so I'll just have to be happy with our temperate climate until then. 
Joined: 2006-12-13