I feel optimistic about True-Track simply because Paul Graf has been promoted at Atlas. He has always responded on these forums and is very customer oriented. As a matter of fact, I was experiencing difficulty getting the turnout controllers to function correctly. He had some one at Atlas contact me. They helped me solve the problem by e-mail and phone.
As I think about building a new N Scale road, choosing a track brand will be difficult for me. Most of my equipment is old, eliminating Code 55. I'm intrigued by Atlas True-Track®, liking its Code 65 rail height and prototypical North American appearance, but the links for it on Atlas' website are dead and I can't see if the turnouts have live frogs which I prefer, there's only one turnout radius and I'm concerned about future availability. I'm also impressed with the appearance of Micro Engineering's Code 70 line, although like with Atlas True-Track®, only one turnout is available, a No. 6.. Maybe Peco would suffice for appearance, reliability and range of product. I miss my old Shinohara!
The track catalog has pictures of the turnouts: http://download.atlasrr.com/2015TrackCatalog/19-47 N.pdf
Thanks for pointing out the broken links, I have notified our web guy. In addition to the items listed on the page, there are several new pieces being tooled, and others in design, right now. There is also an order in with the factory to restock the existing line.
I really like the under track switch operators and wish something like that was available for non-roadbed track. It keeps the laying dimensions within the switch envelope and is serviceable from the top, not requiring work under the table or the clearance or over sized switch machine footprint to accomplish this. I have actually converted some code 80 switches this way using the standard Atlas solenoids and flipping them over to under track. I had to make the throw bar grooved adapter to project out the bottom and attach threaded nuts under there to mount the motor but it allowed me to have automated switching in a 1/2" thick base that sat directly on a table top, nowhere to put an under table machine. It required a 1/4" deep pocket directly under and centered under the through track ties to accommodate the switch machine. I made a little jig to cut that pocket with a Dremel optional routing adapter. The jig aligned to the through track C/L, held in place with pins, and just drop the tool in and chase the jig perimeter. Done. Included was a functionaing switch stand that was driven off the standard manual operator nub that projected from the solenoid assembly and had a repeatable 1/4" throw. That afforded an accurate working switch stand that doubled as a manual operator. Makes a very clean installation. This strikes me as one of those things that could be manufactured with all of the detail benefits that come with a purpose built product. The roadbed of your choice can still be used. Something like this...
Thank you Paul. The Atlas True-Track® is an intriguing product line because it includes a lot of the features I'm looking for. Happy to read that some new items are on the way.
I chose it over kato because of appearance. worked just fine, but gave up because of limited pieces. if new pieces ever become available, I will most likely start over with it again. big radius curves and no 6 turnout would be great....
First shots of some of the new pieces showed up yesterday. IF the things that need to be addressed can be corrected before Trainfest, we'll have some samples on display.
