GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Atlas

chuga-chuga Oct 2, 2013

  1. chuga-chuga

    chuga-chuga TrainBoard Member

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    I keep checking the internet hobby sites for atlas c55 track and I've seen the container shipment schedule on the Atlas site. I just checked a site who use to say such and such c55 stuff due late Aug. or Sept., one of the two. Now it's unknown. Cripes!!!!!! This is something I've always wanted to do. I've had the bench work done since Jan. and putting together buildings and collecting train cars and bought my first engine. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Train 024.jpg
     
  2. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Dang! And you got a good start too! Evil bay deals supplied me with trackage when I wanted to start out. I bought from an N-scale lot. That buy was not to bad. I got some peco switches and quite an assortment of track. I used what I needed in places I knew I could replace pieces I wanted.
    However I feel your pain. Been waiting for the curved switches to come out. And other things.

    Sent from my Commando
     
  3. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    I'm still waiting on atlas track, and my layout is going to be done in 2 x 4 modules. I just need one curved turnout(for checking if I can do something) and maybe some assorted radii and length C55 track. [​IMG]
     
  4. Primavw

    Primavw TrainBoard Member

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    Yep, I have been putting off starting a new layout for this exact reason. I HATE not having trackage to test out my latest buys. Its KILLING me. Atlas just needs to start making stuff in the U.S. again...
     
  5. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a feeling something's gone horribly wrong here, and it may really hurt Atlas. There seems to be a cascading series of delays, and that is never a good sign. I too am awaiting the c55 flex track to rebuild my layout.
     
  6. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    I'm really hoping nothings gone wrong, even if it does I really have no other choice but to wait it out.
     
  7. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    I checked a large online dealer that usually has more of one item in stock than my LHS has of everything in his shop and even they are out.

    Atlas are going to lose their name as the U.S.A.'s premier track supplier if they don't get their act together and have track on the store shelves when modellers need it. It would be an opportune time for the marketing gurus at Peco to bring out an American prototype range of their C55 track and corner the market.
     
  8. Dave

    Dave Permanently dispatched

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    I don't know if this is related or not, but Aristocraft (G-scale) is going out of business and they have been out of G-scale track for months as well.
     
  9. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think that being out of c55 track won't drive Atlas out of business. But it will hurt as a lost business opportunity. And it's probably led to a few more gray hairs in Atlas' execs than they wanted or deserved. The hobby industry is cut-throat, to the extreme, and I hope Atlas can escape without having their throats slashed by the firm that now seems to be controlling most overseas factories.
     
  10. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    I will admit, I've been very seriously considering Peco C55 just so I can run all of my pizza cutter flanges.... I need to start focusing on getting all of my stuff equipped with new trucks and wheels.
     
  11. ArtinCA

    ArtinCA TrainBoard Member

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    You know, code 55 flex is available. Micro Engineering is making it by the bundles (pun intended). They haven't stopped. The last I heard, Atlas was talking Nov time frame before being back in stock.

    Never too late to learn to build turnouts. It may be awhile longer...
     
  12. joetrain59

    joetrain59 TrainBoard Member

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    And where are the Alco S switchers????
     
  13. fritch

    fritch TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've got to admit I switched to Micro Engineering c55 six months ago and really like it. It takes a little getting used to forming curves and such plus it comes preweathered and its the same rail as on my fast tracks turnouts.
     
  14. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    If I had the money to pursue both I definitely would.... man this economy really sucks. even my LHS closed for good... :frustrated:
     
  15. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Something at a gut level tells me that Atlas is as concerned, and maybe as confused, as many of the rest of us. Strictly from a PR point of view, it sounds as though they could help themselves by providing more details.
     
  16. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Paitence I have...time I dont. I aint gettin any younger.

    I started my layout back in June of 2012. After 'benchwork' was completed the subject of track came up. Atlas, ME, handlaid, yadda yadda yadda. Atlas C55...the old 'go to' of many was already becoming extinct. The reality of buying a few sticks at one place... a half dozen somewhere else...12 here...8 there...would have been cost prohibitive just in so many shipping charges !!!

    My feelings about this hobby is to run trains !

    After much consideration and wanting to run trains...I went with Unitrack. Yea...I know...not very prototypical...rail is to tall, ties arent spaced right...its 'bulletproof'...yadda yadda yadda again. With talking to a few Unitrack users...and seeing some great looking Unitrack layouts...it became clear that should I survive long enough to ever see Atlas C55 again...and wanted to use it...I can always pull up all this Unitrack and resell it. Unitrack does hold its value quite well.

    I am not keen on using some of one brand...hooked to another brand...hooked to yet another brand. I want consistency and reliabilty. Unitrack has those atrributes. I know its NOT for everyone and thats fine. BUT...I have been running trains and NOT looking at blank benchwork for over 15 months now !!

    The frustration woulda been maddening had I waited and went out once a week to blow dust off the empty benchwork...waiting for track. Atlas has lost all credibilty with me. To many broken promises for to many years on C55. I dont even need their locomotives or rolling stock. There are to many other older and newer manufactures who have stepped up to the plate with some pretty awesome stuff.

    I feel for you guys waiting on track. These delays do beg the question though...how many more chances will ya give Atlas before you throw in the towel and move on to something else ?

    Sure is nice to go out and run trains for as long as I have...trouble free...everyday...just sayin.
     
  17. SP&S #750

    SP&S #750 TrainBoard Member

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    that's not fair stop teasing! :teeth: on a serious note, I'm banking atlas because they have very user friendly track, now I just need to learn to wire blocks and all that fun stuff.
     
  18. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hang in there...you are still young enough...even if it takes a few more years for Atlas C55 to get here. ;-)

    Ok...hang on...gotta go shut the trains down. Dont want the locomotive lights and all them electronics running all night :p
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2013
  19. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Made in China strikes again!

    Don't listen to the warnings American manufacturers gave you, and this is what you get Atlas!
     
  20. Hansel

    Hansel TrainBoard Member

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    Atlas c55 track? LOL! I remember buying my first switch from them fie years ago just to see who's track I was going to purchase for my layout. The points on that switch would not touch either rail without me doing some bending and filing of the points. Not to mention that deep flanged wheels touch the tops of the spikes. Since then I have bought and have been very happy with Peco c55. Any deep flange wheel does not touch and rattle on the Peco spikes.

    My LHS only carrys HO scale items and he had been carrying Atlas HO track for as long as I have know him, but since they can't produce Atlas HO scale track, my LHS only sells Peco HO track.
     

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