Some hidden track work, in a dark room, is ware code 55 meets 80. It happens here and another hidden staging location for antelope mine. I kept the code 80 for the simple reason that i had already once bought it. These areas hold about 10 electric atlas switch machines, their would be little expense recovered on selling and upgrading to 55 with turtious.
Stageing was built and designed in the earlier stages of my Orion line. A few turnout relocates where need to make the operations more flexible. Also its hardly noticeable but i had to move the cork for the 3 mains over. The track cutting across the mainlines roadbed was only temporary to get trains moving. Around the bend is Nacco Jct. construction has come to a slow, their is a lack of supply in the form of atlas 55 turnouts and the bridge that crosses Antelope Creek.
I cant recall ware i read it but the joining of 55 to 80 can be done by simply filing away the bottom edge of the 80 rail. They appear to be soldiered together in this photo but its actually code 55 joiners. In order to figure out the difference in height i purchased a digital thickness gauge from harbor freight for $9. It seems a bit cheep but is good to hundredth of an inch (.00) not .004 like it says. The difference between ME 55 concrete and Atlas 80 was .04". In order to overcome this i bought evergreen models plastic sheets. Then tapered down .01" at a time. This turned out far better then I expected it was going to.
