GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Atlas

chuga-chuga Oct 2, 2013

  1. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ha, well I wasn't planning to report back my results. You would have to interrogate the dog to get that information. Thank goodness I don't have a bird.
     
  2. Ristooch

    Ristooch TrainBoard Member

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    Bob,
    Your statement about turnouts is seconded! In fact I stated something similar a few posts back (about the turnouts).
     
  3. kalbert

    kalbert Guest

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    FastTracks has free templates for download. If you're serious about it the Lance Mindheim article in the Nov. 2011 MR is a must read. Its fantastic!
     
  4. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    You get a return on the investment of a Fast Tracks Jig etc if you build more than 20 of the same turnouts. Yes it can also be done using a paper template, and my hat is tipped to those who do. But I conspired with several buddies to acquire most of the jigs. On my AZ layout, there are almost 900 total turnouts needed, so the jigs makes the process of building go much faster, especially if you don't have good hands due to injuries.

    Atlas track and turnouts are really nice, but due to the shortage of supply, I opted for ME and building my own turnouts. I have even started to leave the flex track aside and even hand lay the rail. If you hand lay Code 40 rail, Pizza cutters will run on them too. This I learned from the Balboa guys in San Diego!

    So really there is not need to wait for track and turnouts, and at the same time there is also no reason why you shouldn't either. It is your pike, do it the way you want to. Do not feel intimidated by the folks who say that you can always do this or that. Not everyone is comfortable trying to hand lay track or turnouts, just like not everyone is comfortable doing something others find no problems doing.

    If you disagree with me, lets make a dive to 800 feet below the surface or pop out on a HALO jump.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 4, 2013
  5. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    And just what Airforce base have you taken over to build this railroad? 900 #8's are over 600 feet in length..I doubt the railroad I model,the Lehigh Valley,actually had 900 switches on the entire system..As we say on the gun forums,No pics,it doesn't exist...
     
  6. mtnbimmer

    mtnbimmer TrainBoard Member

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    My feelings exactly when I read this! It is the BUYERS (meaning us) that drive the production to China to satisfy our desire for lower costs. If you don't like the price of US made products, that is certainly your choice but don't complain about overseas lack of quality or reliability in delivery.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Blaming the marketplace completely for this situation does not fly. A manufacturer can price itself out of range, due to internal circumstances, without the public being involved. (Ever rising costs of labor, equipment, all other operations.) It is a combination, not just one facet.
     
  8. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    It all started in the U.S. when college educated people stopped caring about product, customers, and employees. Everything has moved to BOTTOM LINE and we all suffer except for those concerned only about bottom line.
    The atlas issue I, only a sign of things to come as the Chinese manufacturers choose who they agree to work for...And since the govt. there has control, its only a matter of time.
    By the way, did we ever get that spy plane back from them in 2001?

    Sent from my Commando
     
  9. DaveD

    DaveD TrainBoard Member

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    Meanwhile, an employee of Atlas has taken the time to comment on the subject here and explain what is going on, and virtually every single person has ignored him like he doesn't even exist.

    Thanks for making the effort Paul... SOME of us can actually appreciate that you're doing the best you can, and we realize that you aren't some sort of evil corporate entity.
     
  10. Dave

    Dave Permanently dispatched

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    DaveD, I agree completely. From reading this thread, it seems that some that have posted expect any and every retailer to have a great selection and rock bottom prices at any moment they decide they want something. Just another example of the instant gratification mentality that is taking over society. So sad.
     
  11. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

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    I checked list prices, and Atlas code 55 flex track costs $5.25 a section. Micro Engineering flex track costs $4.93 a section. And the ME track is 6 inches longer per section and it's made in the US (as far as I know). Go figure.
     
  12. gcav17

    gcav17 TrainBoard Member

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    Its not about instant gratification. Not at all. Or about buying things because they are cheap. Surely you all look for deals???
    My comment is that this is going to be a possible future issue as Chinas economy keeps improving and the employees there demand better wages and conditions. And eventually will cost too much, and then this happens again. Its a shame that atlas and many others took production overseas.
    As for Mr Graf, I do appreciate that he keeps all of us up to date. And since he is C.O.O. of Atlas, that means something. And I am know that these delays were not any of his doing. Its just the way things are... and have become..


    Sent from my Commando
     
  13. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    I don't think the problem is where something is made, but the outsourcing to other companies. The brands of track that immediately come to mind that are all more readily available are Peco (made in U.K.), ME (made in U.S.A.), Kato (made in Japan) and Bachmann (made in China), the common thing about them all is that they are made by those companies, not farmed out to some nameless third party manufacturer.
     
  14. DCESharkman

    DCESharkman TrainBoard Member

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    Because I have the finances to build a custom building on my land, doesn't mean I am going to advertise it to the world.

    Short sighted response since the turnout count includes yards and interchanges. Thanks to BarstowRick, I have the map of the Barstow yard and have built it almost to full scale. Next is the yard in Flagstaff then the facilities in Winslow (both done to near full scale) consume a major portion of the turnout count.

    Enough said.
     
  15. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    It sounds fantastic. All the more reason we're clamouring to see photos of it. You don't have to reveal the physical location of the layout in the process.
     
  16. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    I think we would all do something like that if we could afford it. If you can then good on you. I'd love to see some photos too, not because I don't believe you, I'd just like to see it.

    Back O.T. You are using 900 turnouts and I'm sure there are others around who need turnouts in three figure amounts because they soon add up as you look at most track plans, although you are making your own. I wonder how many it would take to get someone like Micro Engineering to do a custom run like MTL do custom runs of freight cars.
     
  17. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    Don't hold your breath..Ten years now,all kinds of wild claims,not a single pic..Once stated he spent over $12,000.00 on postage for locomotive returns in one year..But no camera...
     
  18. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Again I am compelled to say something, and this time I'm not going to say it quietly:

    STAY ON TOPIC

    This thread, as many similar ones in the past, has flirted with and crossed the line into personal sniping. This is not acceptable. There are valid concerns for many when supplies of basic products, track and turnouts, become limited. The fact that one person has found a different source does not mean that others are not impacted. We each make our choices, and none of us have the right to tell any others that their choices are wrong. Nor do we need to cast aspersions on the integrity of others. If you wish to engage in the activities I have just described, I personally would invite you to find someplace else to engage in those activities. If you wish to participate in TrainBoard in the spirit in which it was founded, please do.
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey, Vince: Where is Miss Dee Rayle?
     
  20. glakedylan

    glakedylan TrainBoard Member

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    i do not understand this tread or the postings it contains
    i have a whole bunch of Atlas code 55 track, turnouts and flex, along with the radius portion curves in 17.5 through the 70+ inches
    have tried numerous times to sell them here and on eBay at retail cost and discounted shipping and no offers
    evidently people do not look hard enough or do not want what they say they do or my results would have been different
    go figure!

    Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
     

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