I'm TRYING to work on my N scale layout, but the problem is, I absolutely can not find any code 55 Atlas turnouts or ME concrete flex track anymore. Atlas told me that they are slowly resuming production, but won't be producing c55 until their c85 lines are restocked. ME told me that they are retooling the concrete tie mold and they have no ETA of production. This leaves me in a tight spot and I am unable to do any work at this time. If anyone knows where I can get any c55 turnouts or track or if you have any, please let me know since im pretty much dead in the water at this time.
Try watching our Swap Meet forum, as folks have now and then been offering various lots of Atlas C55.
There is a lot of Atlas flex track on ebay but I didn't see any concrete ties. You could check our advertisers.
I had to buy turnouts 2 or three at a time on eBay. I managed to scrounge C55 flex from my LHS, but I still had to install ME flex on the sidings since they didn't have as much as I needed. Keep looking!
The code 55 flex track mold has had test shots, but they did not pass our QC inspection so the factory is making the necessary changes to get the product to pass. I don't have an ETA on this yet, but it shouldn't be too much longer. The turnouts are expected to be available in June, July and August for #5, #7 and #10 respectively.
The latest track shipping schedule shows code 55 flex track arriving in May. Is that still valid, or not? Maybe Atlas could add a revision date to the track shipping schedule page.
I assume that Paul Graf, being Atlas CEO, would have the latest information regardless of what the website may show. Updating the website may occur in a few days when the responsible person has time after finishing higher priority duties....?
Hence the suggestion to put a revision date on the webpage. As of now, there's no way to tell how recent is the information posted on the track shipping status page.
I hear your frustration and was so fed up I nearly tore up my partial code 55 layout and started over with Unitrack. I let it sink in a bit and decided to suck it up and stick with Atlas 55. I managed to find a handful of turnouts in an online auction and have gone to use ME code 55 wood tie flex. The ME is something new for me, but I'm making a go of it. I'd say your best option is to find some product on ebay and expect to pay a premium for it. As for the concrete ties, you might wait a long while for those from ME. Perhaps contact them directly? Good luck Dave
I agree with your suggestion. This is a problem with the majority of retailer websites regardless of the product being sold.
Paul, Thanks for the delivery schedule update. I really need some #7 right-hand turnouts as I am having a failure of the points rail. I have #5's and LH #7's of the same vintage but am not seeing any failures. Is there a known quality problem on the older (2006) RH #7 turnouts? Thanks! Glenn
As far as the search for turnouts goes, I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and hand build them since I've heard they work better that way and I won't have to depend on a manufacturer. As for the concrete flex, I'm still hunting.
+1 on the hand-building part. I haven't bought an RTR turnout for my own layout(s) or modules since 1987. Cheerio! Bob Gilmore
Not something that I am aware of. Send me an email with details of what is happening. We have people over in China right now and they are meeting with the track factory on Thursday (tonight, our time) so I can get them the information and they can discuss it in person.
At this point, May is probably going to be iffy, but we will know more in a few days after the guys meet with the track factory. I will relay your suggestion about the revision date of the shipping schedule to our web people.
