what's the deal with atlas o?

Why do no stores carry inventory of any significant size?  Trainworld, for example, currently has 1 diesel.  Is everything special order for the most part?

 

Some of this is due to runs selling out and being available for a limited time... just like they do in  their HO and N scale lines. Atla sO is also not quick to reissue items giving ample time for inventory at their stores to deplete and build up demand.

Also, is everything on their website being produced? 

NO.

If not, how do you know what's current?

thanks

joe

 When you goto the main atlas O page, under the big picture is a NOW arriving graphic that you can click on and see what is arriving for that month.

Looking For Atlas Rolling Stock, contact Caboose Stop Hobbies in Cedar Falls, IA. They have a room full of both 2-rail and 3-rail. The room is called the "Blue Room" because it's stocked floor to ceiling with blue boxes!     http://www.caboosestophobbies.com

JD's Trains in the St. Louis area has a good stock of Atlas. He took over the old AM Hobbies business, which I believe was Atlas' biggest dealer. 

http://www.jdstrains.com/

My LHS carries a good deal of Atlas O rolling stock, but never seems to be able to keep locos in inventory.  I think that they buy only a few because often they are lesser know roadnames (e.g., not PRR, NYC, ATSF, UP, etc.) and those always sell out soon.  I suppose they could buy more but I'd do the same: buy a few and know you will sell them quick, turning over your money soon.  

by contrast they have some Williams stuff in the shelves that has been there for a long time.  Strange world.