Atlas 072 LH switch, 072 and 081 curve availability

Try  The Train Shop  in NH for O-72 switches.

Henning's Trains has tons of Atlas in stock right now, including both LH and RH O72 switches.

Atlas O Track & Switches at Henning's Trains, O72 Switches on Page 2.

That was and is my biggest complaint with Atlas. Every year at April York I would ask and be lied to. Finally talked to one of the owners in 2018 and HE was honest after placing a few calls and having his own employees tell him it was available. He told me no it wasn't and he was sorry as he could not give me a due in date. HE is the reason I stayed with Atlas not some of his so called employees. Legacy Station in Ga is where I ended up buying from. Shipping to Southern NJ was a killer but I needed the switches. They were great to deal with and at the time were the CLOSEST to me that had switches. Henning's is great if they have them.

Well, I saw them there today when I was dropping off repairs and parts, so unless there was a huge sale I don't know about, they probably still have some.

I have been purchasing Atlas Large curves (in excess of and  O-72) and like size switches and their Numbered switches for years.  It seems that I have always waited and granted my ex-supplier always had what I considered great prices so they probably had an in stock issue due to the pricing.  My last large purchase from them I ordered some O-81 curves and like Switches at the end of February.  At the end of April I was finally told that they had received an Atlas delivery to complete my order.  So to answer your question I think Atlas has always, since sending production overseas, had an issue with stock availability.  And I think it is only going to get worse because bringing that production back is made extremely difficult by the Chinese Government.  I wish I had a dollar for every time I said "I wish I had gone with Ross and/or Gargraves.".

I am learning to have more patience during this pandemic. I placed an order with Trainworld to get more 081 curves, straights, and other track supplies on 5/18- I just received an email that it shipped today. Despite the logistical slow down and limited supply, Atlas track looks and works well- the switches I hear aren't the greatest, but I'll see what I can do to remedy that.

Geno

There have been a number of revisions to the Atlas switches; 3 or 4 maybe. The last was about 5 years ago. I think the comments about problems go back 10 years and are not relevant to today's production.  Beware of used switches. 

Trainworld has most in stock.  There is a 10% off sale until 31 May if you include the code word CC0515 when you order.

Jan

@Oman posted:

There have been a number of revisions to the Atlas switches; 3 or 4 maybe. The last was about 5 years ago. I think the comments about problems go back 10 years and are not relevant to today's production.  Beware of used switches. 

As I mentioned in the previous post in this thread, I was attempting to find a supplier for my final expansion. To the notorious internet and that famous site that we can't mention. Found a supplier for an O-72 switch. Ouch. The price with tax and shipping was almost $150. But I felt desperate and pulled the rip cord. Upon receiving it this vendor had left an original price sticker on the box. It read $37.  Wow did my antennae go up! I had not paid that price in many years and thought I had not paid that price in a very long time. I also revisited the vendor's description and yes Ias I remembered "New in the Box" was used. I thought I should make one final check. Removing the switch from the box, I turned it over and there was not any indication of new heavier wiring or strapping. This may have never been removed from the box but the term "New" should not have been used. Luckily the vendor was very accommodating and returned the full price including shipping and gave me a return shipping label. So I very much agree with your assessment regarding "Used" but I would go further and include "All Atlas switches until investigating the reverse side". 

First thing to look for is a yellow or red sticker indicating UV rated. Not sure, but I think the red sticker is on the most recent version. I would definitely avoid any without the sticker on the packaging.

This is by no means a scientific analysis but I have some 60 Atlas switches working on my layout and on my shelves (O-54's that are not on my Layout) bought over the past 20 years.  I have all the boxes.  The oldest boxes I have based only on price have the orangish sticker on them and they all have that sticker.  Since I am not going to remove any from my layout, I know that some do not have the beefier wiring under them.  So I am not sure that the use of the sticker is a good indicator of the newer wiring.  IMHO.