Well, I see the differences, but in a practical matter, I don't see the differences. At least, as one whose last layout had a variety of C80 (Atlas, Peco) and C55 track (Peco, both wood and concrete tie, as well as some ME concrete tie) even those variations were pretty well covered (to my satisfaction) with weathering and ballast. I am not sure every piece of track on the proto looks exactly alike anyway.
If it had to be, with molding damaged, and Atlas has a tough decision to make - keep it looking the same or make it a bit sturdier with new tooling. If that was the choice, I am glad they went with sturdier. It is still N scale, and sturdier does play a part, even if I may end up laying some replacement track (or add a few sidings) and they may even look a bit more stout than my mainline tracks)
I Know there were lots complained about how easy the turnouts came apart, and many felt they could be better. Does anyone with the new turnouts confirm that they were re-tooled and look the same, or are they the old tooling?
BTW, ran the layout for my grandkids the other day, and was pleasantly surprised, after perhaps a month of non running, that with one quick wipe of the track with a track eraser, electrical contact on my "old C55" it ran like a dream. Seems like the NS they used was pretty high quality.
