track...is Atlas "on track" ?

[sirenwerks]

Some local shops are reluctant to handle it because they have to buy $400 lots at a time and the stuff doesn't move fast enough to warrant stocking it.

And yet it's in short supply. Hmmm... Seems to me it would be like investing in gold then.

[seusscaboose]

Kleins had 14 cases of C55 in stock .. $299 each .. and 72 sets of 25 piece bundles .. as of 23rd March .. I'm not worried (for now)

+1

[SkipGear]

+1

You do realize that means they have 14 sealed cases and 4 opened cases. I really doubt that they keep the seprate inventory of the 25 packs from the cases which are just 4 25 packs in one box.

14 cases = 56 sub packs

As a small shop, we sell full cases of track to a single person about once every two months. With MBK's exposure, I would bet those 14 cases last about a month.

[John]

You do realize that means they have 14 sealed cases and 4 opened cases. I really doubt that they keep the seprate inventory of the 25 packs from the cases which are just 4 25 packs in one box.

14 cases = 56 sub packs

As a small shop, we sell full cases of track to a single person about once every two months. With MBK's exposure, I would bet those 14 cases last about a month.

They do keep it as a separate inventory item ..
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Atlas-N-2000-25-Code-55-Track-30-Super-Flex-p/atl-2000-25.htm
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Atlas-N-2000-100-Code-55-Track-30-Super-Flex-p/atl-2000-100.htm

it seems to work well for them .. but your right .. volume is everything ..

[kelticsylk]

And yet it's in short supply. Hmmm... Seems to me it would be like investing in gold then.

There are two problems as I see it. At least three local shops folded up when the economy tanked. That leaves us with 3, about 30 miles apart from each other. There are no shops in my immediate area.

Like I might have mentioned before. I seem to be the only one in the Metro area that uses the stuff (no exaggeration). The local N Trak club is restricted to using code 80 by the NTrak standards. Everyone else seems to model in O gauge, HO or Tinplate (Lionel and AF). Only one shop carries a relatively large quantity of N scale stock, including what's left of a case of c55. That's a shop in a rather small rail museum that's only open two evenings and part of Saturday. The other two are open almost every day but have one token display case each. One is full of Athearn modern era, the other a hodgepodge of used stuff. Sometimes I find something I can use, but not often. The one shop had some code 55 and after I bought up the case (5 pieces at a time) he was going to restock. When he found out he have to buy a 100 piece case he decided against it. It's just not worth it for him to carry, especially since only one customer uses it. I think the only other c55 I found there was a crossing and a wye.

The other shop, a Hobbytown outlet, only carries code 80 flex and various makes of sectional. He's stocks a c55 turnout or two, but they are always #7. He does stock c55 rail joiners, go figure.

Fortunately the basic mainline is complete and I can run trains. But I ran out before I could finish the yards and branches. I even got desperate enough to use code 80 for the trolley line but I don't like it. It's harder to work with than c55 and looks ridiculous. It'll be torn up as soon as I have enough c55.

I'm hoping that what is left in the case at the museum shop will be enough to finish up the branches and the trolley system. I'll leave the yards for last becuase of all the switchwork they require.  On the mainline I'll need quite a few curved and straight #10 or so which will cost even more. The only way to keep the cost down is to build them myself.

I guess my problem isn't really related to any national shortage, it's more of a local problem. I can buy online, but there is usually a minimum 25 piece limit or a shipping premium. I would much rather walk into my local shop and buy a few pieces at a time. Isn't that the idea of having local hobby shops.

Frank Musick

[C855B]

... The local N Trak club is restricted to using code 80 by the NTrak standards. ...

Actually? Not true. Code 55 is permitted. Just not Atlas C55, because of the "pizza cutter" incompatibility.

[bbussey]

Heaven forbid that the 40-year-old grossly-unprototypical Pizza Cutters be banned in the N-Trak standards.  Even MTL has all but abandoned them at this point.

[asarge]

Heaven forbid that the 40-year-old grossly-unprototypical Pizza Cutters be banned in the N-Trak standards.  Even MTL has all but abandoned them at this point.

Love that comment!

[Philip H]

Heaven forbid that the 40-year-old grossly-unprototypical Pizza Cutters be banned in the N-Trak standards.  Even MTL has all but abandoned them at this point.

Plus, like, 400!

[C855B]

Heaven forbid that the 40-year-old grossly-unprototypical Pizza Cutters be banned in the N-Trak standards.  Even MTL has all but abandoned them at this point.

No argument from me. A couple of our local (NTrak) club members have asked for the discarded pizza cutters from my FVM wheel upgrades, and I respond by telling them that for their own protection I will not be an enabler.    (Which is nicer than telling them "Oh, they went in the trash, where they belong.")

In all seriousness, quoting from the "Recent Changes" section of the NTrak manual:

"As this was written in mid 2002, Atlas had just introduced code 55 track. On the original production track, MicroTrains® standard wheels hit the spikes. For this reason we are not allowing this track on the three main NTRAK tracks. If the dies are changed so that the majority of equipment will run OK, then it will be allowed."

Ten years later it can be interpreted, as Bryan said, that MTL has abandoned these too-deep flanges. So... MTL's "standard wheels" (NTrak's words) are currently compatible with Atlas c55, so in 2012 it is time to say goodbye to the obsolete standards.

[Zox]

Yep, gotta make sure people with NEM-standard equipment are excluded from NTrak...dang furriners, acting like they invented N-scale or somethin'... 

[bbussey]

... Ten years later it can be interpreted, as Bryan said, that MTL has abandoned these too-deep flanges. So... MTL's "standard wheels" (NTrak's words) are currently compatible with Atlas c55, so in 2012 it is time to say goodbye to the obsolete standards.

I just sent a query to Jim FitzGerald and Bruce Alcock asking that very question.  We'll see what type of response comes back.

bb

[Brakie]

Or you can just be like Charles Ro in MA ...Americas "Largest" Train Store...according to them... and not carry C55 because "nobody buys Code 55"

That doesn't surprise me one iota..The shop I go to doesn't stock C55 because nobody buys it..As old as his  N Scale stock is I agree..

He will special order it.