Great. I can purchase the 25 pc bundles, but expect *many* others to purchase <<10 pc at a time. I think your biggest issue is that very, very few LHS will want to purchase a master case of 100. So, how can they order just an 'inner carton' of 25 ?
They should talk to their distributors, and if they still can't get the 25 pieces at a time, they can order directly from Atlas.
So you are saying that the Peco and Marklin flex track has similar spacing to US concrete ties and needs no work except to paint the track white/concrete? I only ask for I have never seen either flex track in Z scale. What about the raised wood grain that is usually machined into wood tie injection molds? Does the Peco or Marklin Z scale flex track have these annoying raised features? I look forward to your response Jeff!
The märklin and Peco flex look identical to the märklin sectional track. The wider tie spacing is very close to the Rokuhan track. Only Micro-Trains Line (MTL) is like US ties. Now, the new Atlas looks like it will be near identical (I don't have a piece in front of me). Atlas will have the grain, like märklin and Peco but MTL does not have any grain and is also black ! A light spray of brown leaves black bleed-through for the look of creosote.
You misunderstood part of my question. You mention the tie spacing is close to Rokuhan track so I guess that means they could be used to represent concrete tied track. But my asking about the grain pertains to the fact that if everything about the Marklin or Peco flex track is Spot-On I still have to contend with the fact each tie has raised unrealistic wood grain on them that would have to be removed or the semi-perfectionist in me would go crazy at the sight of it.
Even without the grain (pretty sure it will be there on Atlas track) it's still not as simple as painting it "concrete". The profile for concrete ties is different than wood. Wood is straight across, while concrete ties taper to a shallow recess at the track centerline. To me, this is equally as bad as wood grain and harder to fix. Admittedly, in Z it's not *as* much of an issue unless you are talking closeup photography. So that's really where the issue lies. BUT, all may not be lost here...I recently saw aftermarket tie strips in N that offered better detail, random tie lengths, etc for those who want that. Could conrete tie strips be far behind, and I imagine Z could be done too.
Here you can find concrete ties in Z scale: http://sklep.hugwa.pl/pl/p/Podklady-strunobetonowe-INBK-7-1220-Z/55 They are made of plaster and rather fragile but already in concrete colour. It is rather not possible to have the rails installed on them to have thecomplete truck but it is very good for decoration on your layout - including work on new track simulation.
Konig makes concrete ties in Z scale. A few styles too. But, they are $$$. You need to supply the rail.
This thread brings up the inverse question: does anyone produce wood-grain ties for hand-laid track? BTW: my Atlas dealer hasn't gotten back to me whether they were able to place my order and an estimated delivery date.
No, Fast Tracks does not have wood ties. And no one has Z wood ties. Either cut from scale lumber lengths (ship building) or Northeast Scale Models. CloverHouse has N wood ties: http://cloverhouse.com/Store/index.php?cPath=35_82&osCsid=2hnr7jac9qeb0io7bo86rq6540
Try Again Fast Tracks Dose have Z scale wood ties. I have 2 bags of 1000 each cross ties sitting right here on my desk. They were $19.95 each "Unfinished Z scale white pine wood cross ties are custom cut for Fast Tracks by Mt. Albert Scale Lumber" Here is a link http://www.handlaidtrack.com/wt-z-c for Z-scale wood cross ties and http://www.handlaidtrack.com/wt-z-t for Z-scale wood turnout ties
Sorry, *never* saw those. Besides, it would be insane to spike each of these or line them up for gluing. Just use the Laser cut ones.
