I see no logical reason to "stay with one brand", particularly if the brand you want to stay with doesn't have product. Atlas does offer three sizes of turnouts in their Code55 line as well as some curved turnouts as well as diamonds, but if you can't get their flex, then there is no logical reason to not go with Micro Engineering code 55 flex. Yes, the ties will be slightly different in several ways...verrrrry slightly, but the prototype railroads also use different length ties in different places on their trackage. Also, ME's #6 turnouts are proportioned like a prototype turnout, as opposed to Atlas' too-short-between-the-frog-and-the-closure-point-toes configuration on ALL of their turnouts, making the effective diverging radius much smaller than if they were proportioned properly. Even though Atlas #7's may have a #7 frog, if you directly compare an ME #6 and an Atlas #7, you'll see that they're strangely almost the same length between the toes of their closure points to the points of their frogs. The Atlas #7 is a mere .261" longer than the ME #6, but should be 1.088" longer. What this says, is that there is virtually no advantage to using an Atlas #7 vs an ME #6 as far as diverging radius size is concerned, and because of the sharper angle on the frog on the ME #6's you'll get more versatility as far as track planning is concerned vs the Atlas #7. Additionally in the ME #6's favor is that they are more consistently available, being made in the good ol' USA. Since ME only makes the #6, you can certainly still use the Atlas #5's and the #10's...which both suffer from the same diverging radius reduction problems as the #7's (and is one of the main problems with the #5's I believe), but the #10's work okay, but only have a diverging radius that's about the equivalent of a properly proportioned #8. From a logical standpoint, and from facts...if I had to choose between the Atlas #7 and the ME #6...I'd go with the ME #6 every time. But, nobody is being forced to choose unless unavailability starts to make the available product more attractive. From an overhead appearance aspect, it might add interest to a layout to have both Atlas #7's and ME #6's in close proximity to each other. No reason to not use them side by side IMO in an appropriate setting. Since I make all of my own turnouts, I don't have to pick and choose...but, I use ME and old RailCraft code 55 and code 40 flex instead of Atlas 55 flex, just because I like their looks better and I don't have to worry about flange interference problems with the ME 55. There's nothing whatsoever "wrong" with mixing and matching, and in this case, mixing and matching Atlas 55 and ME 55 products is exceptionally easy and convenient. So, why not? Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
Wow, I haven’t bought any Atlas track in 3 or 4 years but its like Déjà vu even after all this time. I just don’t get it.
The Atlas Code 55 flex is here, I have 25 sticks already in transit to my house. I'm glad the wait is over.
Over $7 a stick?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Or am I reading that wrong? Last time I checked it was $4-5 a stick. (And that's after the first container came in).
I hope supply holds up for a while. I have a box on hand, but will need a box and a half just for staging.
Talked with Chuck from Feather River Trains,,, the MSRP is.... 5.95$,,, wow,,, ME price,,, with ME you get 6" more,,,,size does matter.lol adios,W
List was 5.25 a stick but Atlas just increased pricing to 5.95 effective on the 2nd of February. I just picked up 50 sticks from my Wholesaler along with Mid West cork. And can get more but my supplier has a 25 stick limit per week until supply improves. Will have some at the Meet-N- March here in the Portland area rich www.rslaserkits.com
See the posts on page 1. The OP doesn't want to pay the extra shipping costs for an internet order. Nevertheless, just for once, I'd like to see any of the paid advertisers respond to these 'where can I find this item' type inquiries.
Point353, I see your point, but I'll also point out that not all of our advertisers are regularly-participating members. Some may not be members are all.
Mike Fifer replies to quite a few such posts.... A recent example... http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?56055-An-SP-moment/page67 post #670
Doesn't quite count. He responded after posting a photo of an item that he, himself, was making and selling.
Oh there are others...one could easily find them where an advertiser responds to a thread....just sayin.
