Micro Engineering Ladder Track system review

[@ronmoen.]

This is my third entry into the contest. Watching and commenting.

[@RoyEltham]

I am entering the 3rd part of your contest watching and commenting to this video!

[@drewzdrew27]

I am also entering the 3rd part of your contest watching and commenting to this video!

[@derekalexander4030]

Wives have been saving themselves from 6 inches for ever. Nice video Sparky. A couple of people posted remarks that the second turnout has to be the opposite direction to have the yard parallel to the main so you might want to check before you put yours down and maybe pin a remark that addresses it for anyone viewing this. Thanks for the review.

[@pdrrengineer1404]

For what it's worth: The ME ladder track system has true #5 (11.3 degree) frogs on all of the turnouts. The curved diverging track beyond the frog makes the apparent diverging angle for the ladder 16.5 degrees. That is where the space savings is obtained. Also they are sized such that the resulting yard tracks coming off the ladder are spaced on 2-1/16 in. centers without any additional trimming. Art...

[@Jigoku_Samurai]

this is part 3 of my entry into the 5k subscriber contest. i remember watching this the first time around, still informative the second time as well.

[@BNSFRichard]

Entry for the 5000 contest part 3 please. Enjoying rewatching these videos. Thanks Sparky!

[@derekalexander4030]

This is my entry in part 3 of the $ 1000 dollar contest for 5000 subscribers. Thank you for doing this comparison of the ladder track system.

[@sharknosediesel]

It’s a great system. And sorry if someone else has already mentioned this, but whether you are using 5a or 5b to begin your ladder, your first turnout must diverge in the opposite direction to the ladder turnouts ( 5 c, 5d ,d, d ... and 5e) if you want your yard tracks to be parallel to your main. Otherwise your main is part of your yard, and we all know what kind of traffic problems that causes. The ME instructions are very clear on this point on their site. I urge you to read them first or you might end up with a bunch of switches you have to put aside until you can order the right turnout to begin your ladder.

[@jstockton303]

Entering the 3rd part of the contest, I watch this earlier, was very helpful.

[@fbrailroad4628]

My entry for part 3 of the 5000 contest. The review was great and thanks for sharing, David

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

A few days late, but: This is My entry of the 3rd part of the 5000 contest. Never knew I've missed so many good Videos from you (Sparky). Thanks for bringing them to mine and others attention.

[@edithdavis2848]

Great video, would have liked seeing you actually putting it together. Thank you Sparky.

[@kyleftw1679]

Entering for part 3 of the contest. These are pretty nice turnouts.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Interesting Sparky. Good to see the space savings - thanks for sharing!

[@johnarthur6302]

Nice review! I used these in my 8 track yard and they worked beautifully with little to no modification. Run well, look good, and come with some decent detail parts as well if you are so inclined.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Thanks for being a few years late to the party Sparky. Where was this video when I was laying my track lol. But seriously cool system I never knew existed. Great for smaller layouts or for anyone needing extra space. Thanks for sharing this. 👍

[@Mason-DixonRR]

Consider this my entry to the contest, part 3

[@possumbayou8238]

I am entering part 3 of the contest. I wish they made those in nscale

[@donaldmoore8920]

Awesome video definitely going to go this route for my yard

[@jaybird111207]

Wow that is pretty neat and looks like you definitely save some space. I'm going to look into this I think for my next layout. Thanks for sharing and happy modeling!! -Jason

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Great demo and system, SParky. Not only did it save space, it looked "cleaner" if you know what I mean. If not, oh well. The shot down the line was no pure and natural looking. Anyhow, nice job!

[@bobbiemitch]

I have used these for several years and for small layouts they are great. Granted, I use Anyrail for design, so my layout was spot on, but one can down load templates for the track sections, and once glued onto carboard, they are a good tool for yard and passing layout. For those who run extremely long wheel base engines, may want to do a test on these #5 turnouts. My decapods are okay.

[@johnnyrailer]

Thank you for sharing this Dave. I been looking and this set for a while and didn't know the hole letter thing. Your the man!!

[@DiggerEvans]

this is my entry for part 3 of the $1000 contest

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

Those are the way to go for sure. Might do this on my new layout.

[@georgiasunbelt]

Yep, great system....used it in both my yards...good review Sparky

[@DruSteel69]

Nice demo, Sparky. Thanks for sharing.

[@CM-ARM]

For entery #3 Sparky. I wish they had this for N Scale. You need to do a ops session with this to show it in full operation

[@CM-ARM]

That's neat Sparky. I'm planning on seeing if it comes in N Scale too. Thanks, Chris

[@stevechilders2425]

Great Vid sparky. I have seen them before but your vid does a MUCH better job of showing the advantages.

[@creepy013]

Entering Part 3 of the contest, are they nickle silver Sparky, the look good. Cheers, Gary.

[@markparchem4863]

Thanks sparky I didn't no how to do the yard just starting out thanks again

[@FBMRR]

Entering part 3 of the 5000 contest... loved this video.

[@sparky107107]

Good luck!

[@dacuzzz]

very cool system...& it does save a bunch of room//thx 4 sharing.. vinny

[@davestrains6816]

Pretty cool. I wonder if they have that in N scale? Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@lionellance]

Thanks Dave.. I like it.. I'll have to check into it.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance

[@BNSFRichard]

Good, helpful info. Thank you, Sparky.

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

I've got one side already, I just need to buy for the other end, double ended ladder. Entering part 3 for the 5000 Sub contest!

[@jeffallen5698]

I'm entering part 3 of the contest and commenting on the video.

[@lionellance]

Entering part 3 of the 5k contest.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance

[@KerleyExpress]

I am entering part 3 of the contest never seen those before

[@duanesforkandspoonrr10]

Thats awesome...didn't realize that they made those....makes life a little easier....

[@whitewallwheels1hardcore.m_o_h]

hi i know i have seen this video but not sure if i did before the contest but in case i miss the contest i have watched it again and this is my coment on entry to the contest thank you and saving about 6 ins in length proves i watched it cheers i hope its not a second entry i dont want to get kicked for double entry

[@lackawannarailfan]

Looks great! They look like a great product! Take care!

[@austin0224]

Entry to the 5000 subscribers contest 3rd part. Wish they did it in N Scale to but love the video.

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

Great review Sparky. I've gotta work on Lorne to get more n scale stuff on his shelves lol.

[@mannyfernandez2921]

Nice video Sparky well done!

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

Sure the ladder saves space on the layout but will it help me get up on the roof lol. Great review sparky. Put me down for part 3 of the 5000 contest.

[@carolinafoothillsrailroad4929]

entry for part 3 of the 5k great video very informative

[@steve87thpsap]

I want this to Entry #3 for the contest. Ladder system cool

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

Brother, you beat me to it! I wanted to demonstrate how to use these. Ken Paterson also done a video on this.

[@FBMRR]

Thanks for sharing man... awesome demo.

[@LaytonJunction]

Happy new year 🥳 all the best for 2021 🙋‍♂️👋👍😁

[@mrchoo76]

Thanks for the review. What's the track centers once you run them side by side?

[@sparky107107]

this is now the third video to watch, and comment on to enter the contest.

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

ive never paid mind to it being labled a, b, c etc.. entering 3rd part of contest

[@DruSteel69]

Hi sparky. Entering part 3 of the 5K subscribers contest.

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi Sparky, A very interesting video and you do save a good bit of room if space is tight maybe an extra line gained but looking at the prices on them and yes in $ but are the standard points(turn outs) as expensive as these and if not its a lot of money for only a small gain here in the UK a Hornby code 100 point in OO/HO can be bought for £12 and the longer express ones for £15 or so even a curved turn out is only £18 so these to me seem very expensive? Anyway well done for showing them to us its nice to see things from other countries keep safe and well and lets hope we all get a jab in the arm soon so that 2021 can become more " normal ". Cheers Robert.

[@sparky107107]

i think it takes over 2$ Canadian to make a UK pound. so in doing that, they are just under 15 pounds? I think it is closer to 2.50$ but I have not checked the exchange rate.

[@robertstrainset6556]

@@sparky107107 Ok I must admit thought it was more like 1 to 1 but have just checked it and it is 1.7211 so that is more reasonable so are they the same price as the bigger ones? Cheers Robert.

[@just4funTrains]

Great review, Can you show the final result? I mean how did you wire and ballast. thanks

[@donaldmoore8920]

Awesome information on the micro engineering ladder system

[@GooseinTheCabooseProductions]

Nice. Remember seeing these a wile back on Ken Patterson's podcast, even debated for a little bit between that and hand laid - only reason hand laid won was because someone finally took the time to show me how to do it. Still, looking forward to seeing how it comes out. It is nice though that they already have the gap in there. Still probably need to power the frogs, but that's really the only change I would make.

[@Murphy-ed5yb]

Great video Sparky Iam entering part 3 of your 5k contest

[@chazco]

Entering part 3 of the 5k contest. These have been fun so far. Now if they only had this in N Scale.

[@royreynolds108]

There are several types of yard tracks to be considered. They are to the side like A, straight through like B, or stub. "C:\Users\Owner\Pictures\YARD TYPE.tif" If like A, each end of the yard would need one LH & one RH turnout then the opposite turnout to straighten out. If like B, both ends will need all RH or LH turnouts. Stub depends on how the tracks are laid out as to the number of different kind of turnouts will be needed. A yard only has 2 tracks while B yard has 3 tracks. Full size uses all sorts of combinations of these types in a yard complex.

[@royreynolds108]

As an addition, all of the tracks in B yard have the same length and car capacity unless the yard is situated in a curve. That will depend on how sharp or tight the curve is as to the differences in capacity between the tracks.

[@trainsontuesday]

Peco all the way for me but a good looking ladder system.

[@patriciawedel9811]

Peco's only drawback is those hideous , extremely oversized headblock ties ! Im after total realism this time around . With keep alive in every loco I won't even have to bother with frog juicing if I don't want to.

[@marke.saunders4803]

This was very informative, I'm entering the contest part 3 of the 5K sub! I'm doing n scale though.

[@sharadsharma1133]

Sir, what radius turnouts are recommended for Bachmann Santa Fe HO scale 2-10-4 loco

[@prandn]

Are the Atlas & ME lengths the same? Possible to do a ME Ladder versus ME Turnouts comparison?

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Nice ladder system. I’m using code 100 peco turnouts and atlas flex. Do you happen to know how compatible ME is with those ?

[@NorthAmericanTrains]

Hello Sparky, I am entering part three of the contest! Great review! ~Pedro

[@KingTrump2024]

Hey Sparky, can you do a video of wiring them up ? I heard they need some special consideration with the frogs (juicer/auto-reverse) and wanted to see if thats true and what effort it takes to get it all running.

[@jenniferwhite6089]

NO sparky you going to hurt your self when you fall from it sally guy lol awesome video

[@nathandelay]

I am entering your part 3 of the 5000 follower contest

[@grandparails8858]

That's a pretty cool system.

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

3rd entry ,saw this b4,wish I could get it in N

[@joeraderblackrockcentralrr]

entry #3 for your contest

[@BoxcarJerry]

Thats an awesome system , i dont know why they don't make it for N scale . 👍

[@Big_Friendly_Giant]

Hello I'm entering the third part of the 5000 subscribers contest.

[@cp368productions2]

Entering part 3 of the big contest. Your email is not showing up in your about section.

[@CrewsRail]

Entering Part 3... :-) trying to catch up

[@realwildman]

I found part three for the contest. I've seen this system before, but since I build my own turnouts I won't be using any of these.

[@cdplatt1965]

Nice I been looking at these awhile. Still on the fence on if I should invest on making my own turnouts or if I should go with these. Looks like it would cost close to $180 for one side of the ladder then would need another side so double that. hmmm Are you going to use these sparky ? Sure would like to see more on how you do it all.

[@strobelightaudio]

is this the system that optimizes the space? Also, is there a 5a?

[@pdrrengineer1404]

Yes, the 5a is a standard #5, with a straight diverging leg. Sparky shows one in the far left package in his final shot.

[@jimtedesco]

Do they make this system in code 100?

[@wjp_20]

I don't think so, I've only seen code 70 and 83

[@jimtedesco]

That sucks, but I could use a transition track I suppose. Thanks Wyatt.

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

ive never paid mind to it being labled a, b, c etc.. entering 3rd part of contest

[@steve87thpsap]

Nice review and demo. So are you going to make a yard with them? Also the next set of tracks off the turn out I supposed is flex track? I also liked the demo at the end, but I think you needed to start really were the atlas track starts and then that gives really almost a foot of more room. Thanks for the info.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Anyone have a good computer rendition for a yard layout for me, my set up is 8 feet long and 31 inches wide and I want to use ME, thanks in advance. These look GREAT for what I am thinking of doing.

[@TheClosetBranch]

I'm entering part 3 of the 5000 subscribers contest.

[@tombarnes7196]

Very helpful!

[@sparky107107]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WTFMIKE]

I can't believe the price on some of these tracks..now people might understand why I was trying to build my own in garden scale 😳😳

[@sparky107107]

once you buy the initial jig needed to make the turnouts, then yes always cheaper to make your own

[@Caboose121]

Well can't like a video twice lol Also 3rd entry into the 5k contest.

[@drgnlvr68]

Part 3 entry for contest...

[@HHExpress]

Entering part 3 for the 5000sub Contest

[@siegfriedleupold2902]

Entry #3 for the 5K sub contest

[@mysticrailroad]

wow. great video.

[@pennsylvaniaandnorthwesternrwy]

Entering part 3 of the give away.

[@normanrowe2831]

Entry # 3 for the contest. No n scale by Micro Engineering. Pity.

[@JohnAPrescott]

Out of the blue question, do you still have any of the Chelsie stuff?

[@sparky107107]

yes I do

[@sparky107107]

any time you want some of it back. you let me know bud.

[@JohnAPrescott]

@@sparky107107 what's you're email?

[@sparky107107]

[e-mail] ca not com

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Entry for part 3 of Sparkys 5000 sub contest

[@MLWQC]

That is cool, 6 inches is better then nothing.