No Atlas O 2 rail track in 2014

Molds need to be manufactured?...hmmm Atlas is already producing track....New molds I wonder?  New manufacturer?...weird.  Well there is Micro Engineering. 

It is a very frustrating time, Atlas right now and MTH with their Scaletrax...it just goes on and on.

Micro-Engineering is much bette looking track.  It comes weather and unweathered and I think at least 2 different rail sizes.   It is all flex track.   

I would suggest Beth Marshal, but I don't have contact info. Perhaps someone can help with that.

Don

That's different information then I was given in an email inquiry to Atlas about 3 rail in January.  I was told track would be in stock 1st quarter this year.  But then I never checked because I wasn't ready to buy track yet.  I just finished designing my layout for Atlas track.  I'd rather not have to redo it for another track system because Atlas has messed something up or quit.

If you're going to use MicroEngineering track, use the NON-weathered. Bending the weathered track is..."interesting."

Yes sir. Molds. Totally threw me too. That's what I said to the guy....MOLDS??? I was under the impression that the track would be available soon as well.  I believe and don't quote me, I talked to a rep by the name of Steve. Either way, I am so frustrated with the industry as a whole.  Whenever you call some of these manufacturers they seem ticked off and not interested in the "hang in there with us approach".  If there's a problem state it! I would stick with a manufacturer through hard times if they were forth coming and not leave us in the dark.  I honestly love this hobby, and I'm trying not to take it too seriously, but I'm so frustrated with the OUT OF STOCK messages I get that I'm thinking of getting back into guns or radio control.

Hey Matt.  Even the non Weathered track is interesting.  I think it looks great, but a little interesting to say the least.

Sounds to me like something that someone here who will be attending the York Meet needs to check out face-to-face with the Atlas O reps there.  Best to get the info first hand from those who will really know, and who can provide details.

From what I understand the whole issue started when the parent company of Sanda Kan closed manufacturering to all model train companies except for Bachman.  Sanda Kan was the largest contract manufacturer on the planet for our model trains and when the factory closed the dies where kept.  This could be why they have to produce new molds. 

Alan, I agree with you, and if this is the worst thing I have to be concerned with I think I'm doing okay.  But, whatever happened to communicating with ones customers? No mention of anything anywhere on their site, these forums or anywhere else.  And it's not just Atlas. It seems to be the norm for this industry to just blow off their customer base and hope for the best. I rarely speak my mind on these open forums, but I needed to get this off my chest. Just irritated with how the manufacturers seem to get away with such poor customer service and communication. I think what sparked my irritation was the lack luster response from my phone call this morning. I've had my little rant, now back to doing something productive.. 

Don't beat yourself up, Marc.  If it's true (and I have no doubt it is what your were told), this is information that is important to folks in the 2-rail world (not to mention the 3-rail world).  Hopefully, someone will dig a bit deeper--again, at York where the info can be conveyed face-to-face--and get the full story as well as the story behind the story.

I have used Micro-Engineering's On30 track and liked it very much.  A very well made product.  I don't have any experience with their 2-rail O gauge line, but I assume it is of equally quality.  The key to flex-track, at least in my experience with the smaller scales, is to create a plywood template for each of the desired curve sizes and to carefully work the track to conform to the template.  There are "formulas" for determining the precise size to make these templates so the track will conform to a specific radius, but I don't recall where I found them years ago.  Again, at that time I actually was working with HO.  I never did make templates for the On30.

It isn't that they don't care about us.  More likely, they have discovered that there is no profit in O Scale, 2-rail.  Microscale would still be printing if we were buying.

Last time I saw prices on 2- rail flextrack, I knew I would never be able to justify the expense.  If others feel that way, it is a downward spiral to zero availability.  If they thought it would sell like hotcakes, it would be available yesterday.

Opinion

I just tried to order Atlas 2 rail switches today from a LHS and was told switches won't be available until mid-summer 2014.  I was lucky enough to get some Atlas  40" flex track ordered and some curved track.  I hope they don't end up pulling the plug on 2 rail track altogether.

I was lucky enough to sell all my Aristocraft G scale track before they went out of business and procured Gargraves G scale track.

Heyyyyyy, Gargraves makes 2 rail O scale...don't they?

Rick

I use MicroScale Engineering two rail track. It is excellent. You get what you pay for.....

I guess I'll just focus more on On30 and HO. I wonder if they will get it going again in 2015? It would be interesting to know if the 2 rail track line is profitable or not.

I was thinking to add a 2R 0-80 loop outside my future 3R layout to try out my scale wheeled locos and I have not decided which 2R track to go with. May be I will just remove the center rail from Scaletrax and use it instead?

I think the first thing that model train companies look at is "making a profit" before they even develop a product (and of course that it the right thing to do), so if they are not sure they will make a profit they will delay/cancel such product. If they have to re-invest in new molds and they do not have a lot of money to pour into these molds then of course they have a problem and so do we. May be Atlas is thinking of a new system since they will have to create new molds anyway..this could be a good thing. May be we will have a perfect scale 2R system???

I completely understand the frustration.  I also wish there was more information being put out by the manufacturers about this stuff, the good and the bad.  It has been my experience that given the information most folks are pretty understanding of things and will ride it out, but the lack of info certainly causes some stress.  98% of my layout is hand layed but I have a few spots where I went with ME code .148....ah hem flex track....which took care of my needs.  But after working with the ME and trying to flex it I gotta say that I think I revoked my man card..... 

Mike P.  Thanks for that information, that would certainly explain the production problems.

I'm a long time user of Micro-Engineering flex track...both weathered and unweathered. It is high quality stuff, in fact better than the Atlas product in my opinion. Bending it is just a matter of careful effort and not rushing the job. It comes out smooth and beautiful.

Other options ???  Some mentioned above, others include:

  Peco Code 143, provided you model class one railroading in the past, say, thirty years.  In my opinion [ and I don't use or sell it ] the finest RTR track and turnouts on the market, both in quality and detail.  The turnout is about a #7 as I recall, and both it and the track use 'working' Pandrol rail fittings rather than spikes.  A quick i'net search shows the track at about $10 a section and the turnouts under $80, less tax/shipping, etc.   Available.

The used or surplus market.  Join an 0 scale club and ask members;  some have turnouts and / or they bought but never used.

SZ

Please allow me to correct some erroneous information in this thread.

First, the 7021, 7022, 7024 and 7025 switches are expected around July.

Second, when we moved our production, it entailed thousands of pieces of tooling, which doesn't happen overnight, as well as locating and coming to agreements with factories to produce the products.  Once the factories receive the tooling, they may have to adapt it to run in their injection machines, as well as evaluate it for any minor repairs or maintenance that may be needed since it was last run.  There may be some tooling modification done, but we are not cutting all new molds.

The process to get all of our tooling moved and back into production has taken longer than we wished or expected, but we are finally getting a pretty steady supply of products in all of our lines - track, locomotives, rolling stock and accessories, and hope that we are running close to full production towards the end of 2014.

We are sorry that it has taken as long as it has to get things into production and into your hands.  We appreciate your patience and loyalty to Atlas.

I have both Atlas and ME code 125 on the Lehigh and Western.    The Atlas is on the upper level main line where it is less visible.    The MicroEngineering Code 125 is really beautiful; the drawback is the time it takes to bend, cut and connect.    I hope Atlas can produce more product as the track is fine and if they did code 125 that would be swell too.     I would also hope that they produce a good Alco S series of early diesels with DCC installed.     These would fill a real need and succeed in the market place.

Turnouts: I have ordered turnouts and a custom crossing from Troutcreek Engineering in Colorado.    I am pretty happy with the product.    However, communication is erratic and delivery can be 4-6 weeks.   However, with the dearth of choices, you battle through.

Hoorah for Atlas.

Thank you, Paul, for the clarifying information you added to this thread.

Yes, Thank you Paul...the information is greatly appreciated.

Bingo! If anyone here feels Microscale is in the wrong about O scale decals.....they will reprint any set they have done in the past or ANY new set that you can provide artwork for (I think they will do art too)

Just pay for the run....you will get 300 copies and you can sell them and show them they are wrong......or get stuck with 250 'extra' sets......

O is a changing market......

Not true.

I asked Microscale to make their HO Phase V Amtrak decals in O Scale and I would buy the entire run.  They said no.

I've been working with Microscale for a number of years. If you talk to Vickie it can happen. You may have to buy the entire run, pay an art fee but we get everything we send them printed as long as we PAY!  Your looking at $2500-4000 up front....if your willing to pay....call Vickie. If you'd like her direct phone # drop me a e-mail note.....I'd love to send her some work!

There are several options for 2 rail track.

1)  Lenz O - I just bought a batch of pieces.  Beautiful stuff!  Slightly larger tie (not much), and slightly greater spacing (very close to USA) vs Atlas.  Recommended.  Flex, sectional, turnouts, terminal joiners, and stock to boot.

See part numbers:  http://www.digital-plus.de/spur0-gleissystem.php

They have stock in stores in England and Germany I've used.  Order a test piece. 

  England:  http://www.aandhmodels.co.uk/track-74-c.asp  (call them to inquire)

 Germany:  http://www.modellbahnshop-lipp...-gb-p-0/gattung.html    

Not well stocked at US distributor.

2)  Micro Engineering flex (only).  Ties are very close together, more than Atlas.

http://www.normsoscale.com/microengineering.aspx

3)  Peco - have Code 124 (#SL-700BH) and 143 (SL-700FB).  Turnouts and flex for both.  No sectional.  Nice.  Tie spacing is greater than all.  British track, so buy in England!  I've used:

http://www.gaugemaster.com/index.html

http://www.peco-uk.com/

4)  Gargraves with wood ties.

I, too, am frustrated.  No excuses.  Europeans don't have this problem.  Went with all Peco for my HO layout (now have terminal joiners BTW), now Lenz O for my 2 rail.  No inventory problems.  MTH offering Lenz in future I hear.

regarding the post by rail about a week ago:

I would suggest Beth Marshal, but I don't have contact info. Perhaps someone can help with that.

Beth's business is called "The Public Delivery Track" (get the PRR reference?) and you can find her ad in OGR or look at her website. http://www.publicdeliverytrack.com/servlet/StoreFront

It looks like she only has the flex track listed at this time buy you can always try giving her a call.

HEY!

I get all my Atlas O-Scale 2-Rail Flex Track from Beth Marshall at Public Delivery Track.  She has it in stock for $216 for case of eighteen 40" sections.

I also get all my rolling stock from her.

Her website is: www.publicdeliverytrack.com

Her Email is: pdtrains@earthlink.net.

Her telephone is: 805-226-0320

She only takes phone calls on Thursdays and Fridays.  You will speak to either Beth or her assistant Rachel.

They are both at the York, Pa. Train Show, and will be back after May 1.

That's all.....

BAD ORDER

You left out buying a bundle of rail, a few bags of ties (make them yourself...), and a bag of spikes. 

Or, I guess you could just sit around and wait................and wait..........

I can see no reason why O-Scale 2-Rail modelers would ever consider anything BUT Flex Track!

You can't make tangent-to-curve transitions with sectional track, and you're not stuck with the limited radii available with sectional.

BAD ORDER 

(See my Atlas O Flex Track, used on all 136 feet of my Desert Layout...just beautiful!)

That's why one hand lays...you're not limited to anything!  Just lay what you want where you want when you want.

Exactly so!  Even more so, when you can't get flex track,

"Just lay what you want where you want when you want"......to go where you want your track and switches to go, not where some manufacturer makes you go..

I had a nightmare the other night where I died and went to the Underworld.

Satan was assigning work projects to the new arrivals, and I was given the task of building an O-Scale railroad throughout the fires of Hades.

I didn't think that was a bad assignment, although I knew I'd be working amid flames, sulphur and brimstone for 20 hours a day, but I told myself I'd get used to it.

However, when Satan told me I had to use Sectional Track, I just leaped into a fiery cauldron and vaporized.

Bad Order Hal