I place an order with Am Hobbies for some Atlas flex track. Checking through my bank account online, I saw a refund from Am Hobbies and the amount, I was pretty sure, equaled the flex-track I ordered. I called. Bob was out of track, so he called Atlas. They switched manufacturers and didn't realize they were low, actually out. Bob couldn't find me any track. Atlas told him it might be 4 to 6 months before the are able to restock.
What is a good alternative? ME 148?
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I have a box I just listed for sale on the Yahoo O Scale Yard Sale Forum.
I tried to email you directly but AOL rejected it.
Please email me: wmjm74 "at" gmail "dot" com.
Bill McBride
I'll take it, I'm emailing you.
Nothing....IF you want the easy flexibility of Atlas and the ability to easily slide the rails through the tie strips to stagger your rail joints. If those two things are not a concern, the shape of Micro Engineering's rail is very similar to that of Atlas. ME is somewhat harder to curve. It has more "spikes" than Atlas, and it is near impossible to slide the rails to stagger your rail joints. The two brands are compatible.
I have NO financial stake in either, and I'm not advocating one over the other, just trying to accurately describe their characteristics. Old Pullman made a flex, but I've heard they are no longer in operation....not sure how accurate that statement is, nor am I familiar with the characteristics of OP flex. I see the different brands advertised in private sales from time to time.....you could try that route.
If you decide to buy ME, you might want to check with Ed Duddy (House of Duddy) to see what he might have. Ed is the person that put up the money to get ME code 148 flex produced and a heck of a nice old guy. ME flex used to have "House of Duddy" stamped on the back of the tie strip.....not sure if that is still so.
Simon
Thanks Simon.
heck of a nice old guy
I used to live in Saint Louis, in fact the suburb Creve Coeur, not that far from Ed. I have talked to Ed many times as Shows. He is a very nice guy, fun to talk to, and a real gentleman.
I remember when he started with the track. I ought to contact him, it would be great to have some track with his name stamped on the back.
The 54" radius curves are obviously MIA too.
CofG
"The Right Way"
I assume you are looking for 2 rail 40" flex. 1 have 2 cases of 36 pieces each if anyone needs some.
MikeCiar - Thanks so much for the offer, but I was able to purchase the box offered by Bill above. Hopefully it will be enough to keep me busy. However, if I run out again I'll shoot you an email. I also ordered some ME code 148 so I should have enough track for a while. Again, thanks for the offer.
I'm glad I got mine from AM awhile ago! Boxes pop up on eBay every once in awhile.
CN_Hogger
Micro-Mark, in their latest catalog is now selling ME code 125 or 148 flexible 2 rails, non-weathered. The rails are 36 inches long (not 40) and are priced at less than $10 per rail which is a decent price compared to Atlas.
The situation in O scale 2 rails is becoming incredible if we cannot find 2 rails tracks anymore. I hope Micro-Engineering does not give up on that branch of their business.
Old Pullman is gone, at least to my knowledge. If Atlas is out for 6 months or more, then ME is the only resource left.
Yves
I'm glad I got mine from AM awhile ago! Boxes pop up on eBay every once in awhile.
CN_Hogger
I will have at least 3 boxes of new Atlas c148 flex available for sale at the March Meet.
Interestingly, this problem never cropped up for Atlas when the product was made in Hillside NJ.
Nudge Nudge Wink Wink.
Mike Ciar,
Email sent.
Interestingly, this problem never cropped up for Atlas when the product was made in Hillside NJ.
Nudge Nudge Wink Wink.
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