I attempted to purchase Code 100 rail for future expansion on my layout and have been disappointed that code 100 rail and joiners or other suopplies are in short supply here in the Northeast, its been 5 weeks and still no date. MY LOCAL FAVORITE HOBBY SHOP HAS HAD TRACK BACK ORDERED WITH NO GUARANTEED DELIVERY DATE , A CHECK OF OTHE HOBBY SUPPLIERS HERE ALSO SHOW NO TRACK AVAIABLE DUE TO a PLANT CLOSING iN CHINA? I don’t really understand what happen to the manufacturers here in the USA that use to make track and supplies, Have we become that dependent on China for most of our Model supplies? just wondering if this problem is share across the country or just the northeast, …anybody heard?
This has been discussed in so many threads on this forum that all you need to do is read past messages.
Atlas is the only company that has a problem, and there are several other brands from which to choose that are just as good, if not better, than Atlas.
The last guy to post this question got beat up pretty badly. To summarize, yes, Atlas is having supply problems (and I’m sure there are many people at Atlas who are not pleased). Many hobby shops only carry Atlas and Bachmann track products. Do yourself a favor and research (here and elsewhere on the net) other brands and suppliers, then ask your LHS to order something different.
In fact, now that I look, I see that you’ve already gotten a beating for starting a new thread on a done-to-death topic (high cost of the hobby). Fool you once, shame on me, fool you twice…
There are other suppliers of C100…Micro Engineering C100 flex track comes to mind.Model power C100 can be used.
Johnny,
Hobby Town in Brandon Florida usually has loads of code 100 track in stock. I think they ship nationwide.
Address:2488 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone:(813) 655-6366
Give them a call
Thank you I will
My (not so) LHS always seems to have a good supply at reasonable prices including the freight.
http://www.hattons.co.uk/Search-Results?SearchTerm=Peco%20Code%20100%20track
Cheers, the Bear. [:)]
If you are looking for NS code 100 rail joiners, they are availble here:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=ppchotrk&ID=200499593
The "next day"for shipping time means that they actually have at least 1 on the shelves. {it/they was/were there when I posted this}
They are also available here, 244 and 36 in stock:
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Atlas-HO-170-Universal-Rail-Joiners-48-Per-Package-p/atl-170.htm
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Peco-HO-SL10-Code-100-Metal-Rail-Joiners-24-p/pec-sl10.htm
Either place are good to deal with. I have dealt with both, the first being my “LHS”
If ANYTHING will cause the “death of the hobby” it May Just be the lack of track supplies!!
And, YES, maybe we ARE to dependent on another country for everything we buy!
[8-|]
I picked up the January Walthers flyer. January is their traditional Track Sale month, and this year is no exception.
But, they don’t even have Atlas track in the flyer this year. They also have a note in one corner apologizing for the fact that some items simply aren’t available, and restocking has been an issue as well.
Sounds like the laments of post WWII MR magazine readers. Shortages of many MR supplies in a world finally at peace trying to retool from guns to HO track, like the old Atlas tool and die.
Now we seem to have shortages mostly in the minds of folks who are used to next day immediate service in a world of plenty. As others note, Atlas is but one supplier. Retailers used to dealing only with Atlas are quickly shifting gears. It is a matter of Peco and Micro Engineering taking up some of the slack by speeding up their off-shore suppliers. The Atlas Tool and Die of the old days is dead… It is now just a wholesaler hanging by a thread at the end of an off-shore supplier. American workers can’t make the stuff at the price point you and I want to pay. The world has changed.
I can’t think of a single piece of rolling stock or engine that I currently have from brass to plastic that is currently, entirely produced in the United States. It’s not that I won’t buy America…I can’t buy American.
Richard
Accurail, made in the USA. And still inexpensive kits.
–Randy
Just to see what would happen, I did a Walthers search for Code 100 turnout. I got 153 hits from 6 manufacturers.
Lifelike 4 items, all in stock - snap switches, 2 Nickle Silver, 2 steel
Atlas - 2 Mark 4 #8 turnouts out of stock/unknown, should be more listed - see below
Peco - 25 Items - all in stock, some on sale
BK Enterprises - 95 items, all special order
Rivirossi - 9 items, all TBA, advance reservation
Shinohara - 18 items, 4 items in stock, the rest out of stock/unknown; some of the out of stock are sale priced, so they may have been in stock recently
This is the link to the search, it may not be clickable due to the recent forum software change
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=code+100+turnout&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
I did a further search for Atlas track, that turned up 28 turnouts. all except 2 code 83 snap switches are out of stock/unknown. the snaps are due in late January
The rest include:
2 #8s mentioned above
#4, #6 and wye Mark 4, R&L no rail size mentioned - probably code 100
#6 code 83 R&L
Snap switchs, code 83, and code 100 R&L, remote & manual
Custom line #4, #6, #8, wye code 83 R&L
so everything Atlas seems to be listed, just not all have the word TURNOUT and availability is limited to non-existant