OK first it was Atlas track, now its their rail joiners? I just went to my LHS and they are completely out of Atlas joiners, and no time estimate when they will get them.
So I say no big deal, I’ll find some other ones. I picked up a package of Walthers code 83 rail joiners. And the PRICE WAS $12.50. ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Come on man… its a little peice of metal, thats is just crazy. I never had to buy any others because I always have used Atlas, and their like $4.00.
The simple law of supply and demand – if Walthers rail joiners are the only ones in supply, they can demand a higher price which you are expected to pay or do without.
If this is for CD83 rail, then consider using Atlas CD80 N scale joiners. IMHO, a much better fit and look compared to their 83/100 joiners.
David B
I have had good luck with MB Klein. They show Shinohara and Peco code 100’s in stock.
Charlie
That may be true, but it is disappointing to see Walthers do this. They did the same thing with flex track right after the Atlas shortage started.
Twelve bucks a stick. Ouch.
Rich
My local Hobby Shop has the Atlas HO jointer in stock!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
The Atlas “Track Shipping Schedule” says they’ll be in this month, although they don’t get more specific than that.
But look around - they can be found.
I was in the Hobbytown in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin last weekend, and although they didn’t have much of a MRR section, I noticed they DID have Atlas track joiners. They kind of stood out, because to me they didn’t really fit in with the rest of the store’s MRR merchandise selection.
I also recommend the Atlas Code 80, N scale Rail joiners if you are using the Atlas Code 83 track. They fit better, resulting in better Rail alignment, and look significantly better.
When you picked up a package of rail joiners for $12.50, I hope you meant you picked it up and held it in your hand, not bought and left the store with it! I don’t imagine packs of rail joiners at that price are flying off the shelves. Yes, it’s crazy, I agree. Vote with your wallet, and look for something “reasonable”.
wonder if they are gold.
Heck no I didn’t buy them. I jumped out of my pants and the store employee thought I was jumping for joy.
Nope I checked, they had micro diamonds in them so they fit the track better.
I just came from my LHS (Hobbytown [
) and they were out of Atlas rail joiners (my sole purpose of going there!) and I wound up with some Peco C100 for $4.69; not bad for the price. I have the Peco Code 83 joiners and they are just too tight. I tried the C100 and they fit the Atlas flex just right but are sloppy on the Walthers/Shinohara turnouts. Guess I will have to do a little squeeze job on that end. I only needed about 8-10 to finish my trackwork (after 5 years).
-Bob
I just recently added a couple of staging tracks, and couldn’t find my supply of Code 83 or N scale Code 80 ones. I ended up using brass ones, probably Code 100, as I don’t think they were ever made in Code 83. I usually shorten the joiners anyway, and then just gave 'em a squeeze with pliers to tighten their grip. Once soldered in place, they work just fine, and in staging, I don’t even bother to paint them. For visible on-layout track, shortened and painted (and soldered, of course) no one will ever notice.
Wayne
I’m with David B on this one. Go with Atlas N scale Code 80 joiners. Not only do they fit nice and tight on HO scale Code 83 rails, their small size allows them to almost disappear once the rails are painted and ballasted. If not for the break in the rail, most people would have a hard time spotting these rail joiners.
We got in a shipment of joiners last week and they are shipping to distributors now.
These type of connectors are made in a progressive die running in a punch press. The press probably can run at 2-600 strokes per minute and may make multiple parts each stroke. This means production could be anywhere from 200 to thousands per minute. $12.00 per thousand might be an O.K. price; however, I’m guessing the quantity to be much smaller. Yes, it is Supply and Demand and I would demand lower pricing, there is nothing wrong with that!
Those are the Jose Cuervo rail joiners.
Back during the Great Atlas Track Shortage, my LHS had rail joiners, but he didn’t put them out on the rack. He kept them in the back room and only sold them to his regulars, and only one package to a customer. I felt like I was buying contraband.
Paul, maybe you have already explained the ongoing problem with shortages and I missed it. But, what is going on for so long with flex track, turnouts, and rail joiners?
There was a time when I was an exclusive user of Atlas track products. But when I needed product and couldn’t get it, I went over to Peco.
Rich
The ATLAS code 80 rail joiners work on the code 100 rail if you take the time to de burr the ends of the track.We use the code 80 terminal joiners on our On30 layout and you really have to look for those joiners.We don’t solder rail joints unless we are doing curves and be sure to leave some gaps for exspantion of rail and other materials.