This thread (and a few of it's posters), are why I rarely visit Trainboard, which saddens me as it, like Atlas, were the two forums I was active in for a very long time years ago. The production issues with China are so well known at this point, it's ridiculous that this still comes up. Every single manufacturer had production issues with China due to one plant having some major issues. It's why the FVM GP60s were delayed, for example. Even Athearn's HO line was backed up for years, and is not just getting back up to speed. From my understanding, Atlas' track needed some retooling at the same time the production issue popped up. Yes, there is a shortage of track. It is coming, and Atlas has come on here stating as such, and yet the same handful of posters completely ignore those posts, and continue to bash production delays. Delays which are cleaned up, and items are being produced and shipped as we speak. And we wonder why the sales reps at shows like Trainfest roll their eyes. It falls on deaf ears anyway with some of you.
And some people miss the point entirely. It not so much the delay (although that is part of it). Its the every 3 month (like clockwork) empty track product updates for over 2 years now...that promised track "coming soon" that always turned into 'vapor' for another 3 months that has people...like me...upset. Nuff said.
Understanding how these production plants work with each of the manufacturers (many of which are shared by the big name companies), would make the argument stronger. Each of them has to schedule time for each run, and they have to work together in some cases, to get time for their runs. Add in possible retooling, you've got unknown hiccups down the line. Is it frustrating? You bet. But like David said, it's a hobby. When it hits land, and stock is back flowing normally, no one will ever even remember this in a few years.
******** has curved turnouts (left and right), and I think a couple #10 turnouts. Their prices are just a bit under retail. They don't exactly have an online store, but they'd probably ship if you called them.
Hence my point that it is not where the track is made but that it is not made by Atlas themselves. Peco and Kato track is always available because they make it themselves in their own factories. Atlas's only bad decision was to farm out the manufacturing to someone else, outsourcing always seems like a good money saving idea at the time but it eventually comes home to roost. Even in Japan Tomix track sometimes has some items hard to find even though it is more popular than Kato.
George, why do you care about Atlas Code 55 track; you are a Unitrack guy. And really, is it worth getting upset about because like some have mentioned, Code 55 is out there if people will put forth some effort and look for it. A few years ago when Micro-Trains started the state series, I didn't get the Illinois car (#1) and 4 months later, I wanted one. At that time, they were going for close to $100 on eBay because it was first in the series. I looked on the MTL website and called almost every MTL dealer listed to see if they had one. After the first 30 minutes, I had 5 available to me. Atlas has a store locator function on their website. Use it if you need some Code 55 track. There have been 2 offers in THIS THREAD to sell Code 55 track and not a single acknowledgement post to either offer. Why is that? When Atlas posts "coming soon", it is probably because they don't know when it is coming. If they posted a date (and they probably have) and miss the date, then everyone is upset as well. If I were Atlas and I didn't know when something was coming, I wouldn't post a date either.
What are you talking about I also acknowledged! Did I get a response NO. what part of those of us who are looking, have been looking are those of you who are looking to stir us up intentionally misreading or skipping our posts? Key word in this thread for some of us is turnouts, not just track, turnouts. I'd like to know about this bashing, is asking about a product being released soon considered bashing now? Are we skipping westfalen's post now? he raised a very valid point which has yet to be challenged by any of the naysayers, good grief people that act like they are far superior to other just because are one of my beefs with this hobby, I've run into way too many and it's starting to leave a sour taste.
Westfalen, I don't know about you, but I date back to the days that Atlas made track AND cars in the United States, and the only time that I could not go to the LHS and get what I needed/wanted was if there was a rush on them the day before. By moving production to China, there is a huge lead time just to get basics, like rail joiners.
This is skirting into territory where the thread will be closed and/or valuable input from folks will be missed. Some valid points have been raised, some reasonable questions have been asked and some worthwhile replies have come from Atlas (and I, for one, am very glad to have somebody knowledgable from Atlas participating). But too much of what I and others have read here has been "well, just do it my (better) way" and "you just don't get it." Neither of these attitudes are constructive as part of a hobby discussion. The name-calling and superiority complexes will, simply put, no longer be tolerated.
Here in Australia back in those days (going back to the 70's) you used Peco C80 if you were a N scaler and the LHS owner didn't say "I'll see if I've got any RH turnouts in stock", he asked "How many do you want?", and that's still the case with Peco here which is why the choices for my future layout are Peco C55 or hand laid. There shouldn't be a long lead time or a need to pre-order to get the basics.
Yes he also slightly referenced me and I apologize if I was out of hand slightly. I did do some checking on the atlas track container shipping schedule, Flex and standard Code 55 is in the market as we speak(errrr... at least it's shown to be) Turnouts aren't out til next month, Paul I'm curious if this is up to date, I remember you mentioning it on the MRR forums.
Dave... Yes...I went with Unitrack. I wasnt gonna wait 2+ years for track/turnouts. The purpose of my posts is/are to let peple know there are alternatives to waiting...whether it be Unitrack....ME...Peco...handlaid...etc.. I'm guessing the typed word doesnt come out quite like the spoken word. For what its worth...Atlas has posted a... Track Shipping Schedule "The following information shows the latest pieces of track that have been received in and those that will be arriving in the coming months." http://www.atlasrr.com/containershipping-track.htm That schedule and dates keeps changing...and yes...people get upset. Its why we keep getting posts like the OP's and others who are still waiting.
Arguing about outsourcing is irrelevant nowadays. Everyone of the major manufacturers does it. They all share the same factories, one in particular. A factory that the Chinese government shut down due to, shall we say financial issues. In some cases, manufacturers had to fight to get their tooling released from said factory to get it moved somewhere else. Those are delays that are completely unexpected. Obviously they've learned, as Paul stated, and have moved production to more than one factory and spread the wealth. Yep. Flex was in stock a couple weeks ago at ******** and the like. It went fast.
Peco and Kato do not and they are not bit players in N scale track and their track is always on the store's shelves when you need it while Atlas who gets their track made at whichever nameless factory in China is making it at the moment has a patchy availability record, so I'd say my argument if not irrelevent is very valid.
Add in Micro-Trains and Micro Engineering, these are American companies that make things in America. Kato is in Japan and Peco is in the UK. All three countries have a higher wage than China, and all make products that are resonably priced. I just jumped over to Fifer's site, and I see that an Atlas PS1 is $21.59, a MTL one is $13-20 depending on paint. An Atlas #7 code 55 goes for $13.89. A ME #6 is $15.19 and a Peco Medium is $19.59 As for loco's, the closest are BIG GE's a Kato AC4400CW is $83.99 while that Atlas 8-40CW is $104.99.... There you go, apples to apples with one supplier and like products. I chose items to be as close to each other as possible, and all (other than Atlas) are made by people making a real wage in a first world company
For what it's worth, Peco around here has been hard to get as well for some reason. And I don't live back in the hills and hollers anymore. The only N scale track around here that's been on the shelves is the Kato uni track. As far as a patchy availability, this is the 1st time I've seen this happen to Atlas. I don't even remember the point of your argument anymore maybe it's time to move on.
Now what are you guys grumbling about over here. It's like this. You will see's it, when you see's it and I guarantee it will cost more then it did two years ago. Shaking my head and gritting my teeth. Anyone who's done their homework knows there has been a problem with manufacturing and as a result a major slow down in production of various model railroad products. I'd love to see someone in America get back to manufacturing here. Seems the job market is ready for a positive infusion of job availability. George has been fortunate in that he's had some help with getting his track. We can be thankful too and for the generosity of fellow model railroaders. True! On E-pay you will find track but you are going to pay a price for it. Seems there are two many fingers in the pie...if you get my drift.
