I'm new to the hobby and starting to get the materials ready for my layout. I'm having trouble finding atlas code 80 track that is in stock. Some place it's on back order and others may only have one or two pieces. I have been to several online retailers and am running into the same problem. Where are you guys ordering your track from? Thanks, Spencer Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Ufda.... Atlas halted production on track earlier this year while they move it to a new manufacturing facility. Haven't heard anything for a while but last word was sometime I'm the late spring/early summer it will be back in production.
I purchased 25 pieces of Atlas code 80 flex about 2 months ago from Trainworld, www.trainworld.com . The last time I heard any news, Atlas is moving their production to Vietnam, so it may be awhile before they are back up with the production.
What would be another good brand of track to buy, that is readily available? I don't want to get half of the track bought and not be able to buy the rest. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Personally, I am getting ready to change my layout and go with Kato Unitrack. It is expensive but seems to be about the best stuff on the market. Of course I am the lazy type and don't want to play around with laying a track bed.
Check with Fifer hobbies I just got some from them. There one of the TB sponsors and lots of stock on hand
I must agree that is is much easier; I went with Unitrak on my N scale layout and kind of wish I went with that on HO as well.
It looks a lot simpler, I may go with it but is that all they offer is "concrete ties" type? Looking through their catalog, it would seem so. Is Atlas the only option for conventional flex in N?
Atlas should have bit the bullet and moved it's production back to the U.S. The Kato Unitrack comes in both wooden tie and concrete tie types.
I prefer Peco track. Some people don't like the tie spacing of Peco, but it is strong and easy to work with.
I've used mostly Altas code 80 flex with a few pieces of Atlas code 80 sectional track along with a couple of pieces of Model Power Flex track and mostly Peco code 80 turnouts with some Shinohara and 2 Atlas turnouts on my 3 scale mile mainline layout. I am gradually replacing failed units with Kato UniTtrack both turnouts and sectional. I care more about reliability than realism now.( an old geezer).
Atlas certainly isn't the only source for track. Micro Engineering makes really great flex track in bot wooden and concrete ties, although they are a little short on turnouts. I would seriously consider (cue sound of burning fuse on bomb) combining ME code 55 flex with Atlas and ME turnouts, or in a perfect world, ME flex with handlaid turnouts. Some people will complain that using ME flex is too hard (waaa, waaaa, waaaa) because it has two rails fixed, unlike Atlas which has one loose, but it takes all of about 5 minutes to learn how to flex ME (start from center of stick, flex only a few inches at a time), and once formed it holds its curve, so it saves on a lot of tacking when gluing down. No, it can't be bent with just two pinkie fingers, but so what? Let the flaming begin. Bill Pearce
I'm with Al on this one. Old guy and using Unitrack. If you have a reason to use C80 use Unitrack. Less frustrating...less work and great reliabilty. NOT bulletproof but pretty darned close. ** I'll stand behind Bill to get flamed...he can take the brunt of the flames...LOL
In all honesty.... For someone just getting back into the hobby after a few years or someone starting fresh, you may want to try UniTrak. It's super easy to configure and arrange and rearrange. I wish I had used UniTrack when I got back in. Eventually you will out grow it, but it's great for getting a taste of what works and what doesn't for the kind of operation you want to do.
Who said you have to buy the Atlas code 80 track new? I recently bought two different "lots" of code 80 track off ebay and got good prices on it. One lot was used, but the other lot was composed primarily of track still in its original packages. This includes switches and crossovers as well. As a matter of fact, I paid far less for the switches (still NIB) than I would have at any hobby store! I was very pleased with the condition of the used track as well. Just read the description and email the seller if you have questions before you buy it.
in Atlas code 80 track, what specifically are you looking for? i have a lot of smaller radius curves a fair amount of 19" radius curves a lot of straight pieces in full and shorter lengths a good amount of standard size turnouts, left and right i would be glad to get them to you at a very very reasonable cost. please email me directly and i can provide a list of what i have hope this helps! glakedylan at comcast dot net all lower case, with no spaces, and of course the @ symbol peace, Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
This is what i may do. I have been looking on eBay and have found several listings on different track.
I have a list of track that i am needing that is coming out of the Atlas railroading book. It has several of their layouts in it, and list all the track you will need for each layout. So i am just following that. I may hit you up on your offer, sounds like you may have a lot of what i will be needing.
I've been using nothing but ME lately.The turnouts are expensive though,and sometimes tough to find.I won't do this on my real RR,but I'm working on another small fantasy logging RR.I had a bunch of ME C70 weathered track,instead of ME switches,since I wanted to keep is simple and cheap,I tested Atlas C65 True Track switches.They only needed the rail filed slightly to match the C70 ME,you should be able to do the same with ME 55 or Atlas C80.The switches have powered frogs,built in machines,and are dirt cheap.I'd really consider it with Atlas 80,since the switches leave a lot to be desired.
