Where to find Micro Engineering code 70 track & turnouts

friscobob Jun 20, 2022

  1. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    I made the executive decision to more accurately model a lesser-used branch line, and go with more code 70 track. Imagine my frustration when I started looking for the same, and finding it to almost be scarce as hen's teeth. Now I know the owner of ME is wanting to retire, and hopefully sell the business, but my more reliable sources for ME track have little to no code on their shelves.

    Any suggestions?
     
    gmorider likes this.
  2. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    Wow! Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water. I am hoping some of the members will come forward with ideas. We have a large knowledge base on here.
     
  3. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    After careful consideration, I have decided to stop looking for ME track or any kind and slowly accumulaye Peco code 70 turnouts. Since I live by the Model Railroader's First Law of Purchasing Supplies (Thou Shalt Not Pay Full MRSP If At All Possible), I may have scouted out some turnouts. A bit pricier than Atlas turnouts, but I like the look of the Pecos.
     
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  4. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    I haven’t been looking for turnouts since I build my own, but Yankeedabbler had both Code 83 and Code 70 flex track in stock a couple days ago. I just ordered a bunch of Code 83 on Friday. I ended up mishmashing Peco and ME to keep laying track as Peco had been hard to find until a couple months ago, they work quite well together.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  5. Jim Wiggin

    Jim Wiggin Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    ME track of all scales is hens' teeth. I emptied the entire inventory of Code 40 N scale track at N scale Supply when I was out that way at the Denver Train show. Unfortunately, no buyer has come forward yet so ME quality track is in jeopardy. In HO, I will do the same as you. Peco makes some great product, so my HO layouts will be fine. N scale is another issue however as I do not care for the Atlas track at all. I may have just work in HO now on.
     
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  6. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    I have enough ME code 70 track for what I need, so flextrack isn't an issue. I also have enough code 83, and Atlas code 100 (which will be used for staging). I believe the mixture of code 83 and 70 will work. Not sure if I have enough code 70 turnouts (six so far), but I have sufficient code 83 and a couple of code 100s to cover.

    In honesty, on my last N scale layout I had code 55 and 40 track, and I was impressed. It would be a dirty shame of ME were to go the way of the dinosaur......
     
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  7. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    Some months back ME announced they were selling their business but were apparently still manufacturing track in the mean time; but from what I have seen, supply remains spotty or out of stock with many vendors.

    I had read some reports that ME turnouts were fragile or some had issues so I decided to stockpile Peco for my layout. As for that thou shalt rule, Peco turnouts have literally jumped $10 per turnout since a year ago, so so much for saving money. Fortunately I bought almost all I have before the price jump. By way of example, Peco #8 turnouts were $29 at woo woo woo and are now $39. Atlas code 100 flex, which I used in staging and helix went from about $98 for a pack of 24 to about $149 too. Major jumps in track prices. I believe have 98% of the HO track I will need before the price increases, at least for HO. I have a collection of N scale too and only some old sectional track from years ago so that I'll worry about later.
     
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  8. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    Update: So far, I have been buying Peco HO scale code 70 turnouts two at a time, about once a month, from a certain auction site ( I buy from the online stores there and avoid the bidding crap). I am paying lower - than - retail for the turnouts, which eases the sting of higher shipping prices. Later on I'll start buying the code 83 Pecos to replace some of the Atlas turnouts, especially the once that have been used & reused.

    I have also heard that Peco turnouts were easier to use in DCC-wired layouts, so I am eager to test that when I get to the tracklaying & wiring phase..
     
  9. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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  10. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    MicroEngineering has been bought by new owners and will be back to producing their track products.
     
  11. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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    Micro engineering is providing limited but regular supply
     

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