So back in Oct. I asked the question, when is there going to be more Atlas code 83. Found that with the retooling in China back in Aug. they didn’t make any ahead. Was told that by Late Aug. Early Sept. there would be more. They came and went and no track. Then I was told Oct. Halloween came and nothing again. Then I was told Nov. Still nothing. So now it is almost Christmas and I find that I’m not going to have any Flex track under the tree. Paul from Atlas told me on another post that they should have some soon, that was in Oct. I then found that post was closed, as if to say " It’s a problem, but we don’t want to talk about it, as it might get people upset". So I guess I’ll be the first to once again ask, “When can we see some code 83?”
Welcome to the wonderful world of no-show products from China. Atlas is not alone in the problem of announcing availability of a product only to see the date slip months or even a year behind expectations.
Chinese industries are undergoing major changes in availability of raw materials, a shortage of skilled labor, new environmental laws, and other complications that are delaying production of our toys in favor of consumer goods for their own market.
There has even been talk about some factories moving to India or other locations due to the increased cost of production in China as the Chinese standard of living improves and workers begin demanding better pay and benefits…
I wondered what was going on. I was planning on starting my shelf layout here in the next month but could not find anyone that had any code 83 in stock. Hopefully it will be here soon.
I waited a while for the Atlas code 83 flex, and then opted for the Peco code 83 flex instead. The Peco is a little bit different to work with, but I actually think I like it better than the Atlas. If you do some looking, there is not much difference in price, either.
- Miles.
I am very seriously thinking of switching to Peco. Went to a monthly show in Wheaton, IL got the last of the #4 switches the “Track Guy” had. He’s been out of flextrack for months now.
Atlas’ on-line store has it in stock but at $6.75 a piece that’s a little steep.
Klein’s seem to just have some #6 switches, lefts only. And some left and right #8’s in Atlas
If you are itching to start there are other brands. I switched to this
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Micro-Engineering-HO-83-Non-Weathered-Flex-Trak-p/mec-10-104.htm
It also comes in weathered as well
I picked up some ME 83 just to give it a try. I dunno if I will actually use it though. People say they don’t like Atlas because it’s too springy and want to straighten out - well that’s why it forms such nice smooth curves. The ME looks nicer, the spike details are much smaller, but getting a smooth curve out of this stuff…sheesh. Not without some templates or a track gauge on a trammel. I guess you could call it ‘curvable’ but ‘flexible’ it is not. This is going to take a lot of practice to get curves anywhere near as smooth and flowing at ones done with Atlas flex.
–Randy
Agreed. I recently received some weathered ME flex as a gift, but I think I’ll have to consider it a failed experiment. Not only is it a bear to work with (in just the manner Randy noted above), but the weathering makes it difficult to effectively solder, even after sanding the paint off.
Frumple…
What, no love for Walthers? I use Walthers flex track, and its also 3" longer on each piece than Atlas, Peco, and ME.
It holds its shape like the Peco and ME. I think the ties look better.
Never did like how Atlas springed back, too hard to keep in place, try to solder, etc.
Waiting for Atlas track for how long? Has progress on the layout ground to a halt because of this?
I wouldn’t wait very long when there are so many other brands out there. Sounds like a Government operation to me.[(-D]
Brent[C):-)]
No, not a government operation!!LOL Just trying to keep one step ahead of progress! I have 2 and a half bundles left before I’m completely out of Atlas flex.
I hear you there Randy. But you can get used to working with it. Someone else on this list suggested spraying a little windex on it to help with the curving of it. It does take more time to work with. But it does hold its shape once you form it and I think it looks better. I haven’t worked with the weathered so don’t have the soldering experience. I can imagine that can be tough because it order to solder you need a clean surface.
One other thing, I wouldn’t call ME Flextrack, I’d call it curvable. Another downside of ME is because it holds it shape it will hold a kink as well.
I am now curious and will take Michael’s suggestion and try some Walther’s this weekend.
Well, there was that little matter of a hurricane, closing ports and Atlas down. I’m sure they’ve worked through that by now, but s*** happens. If it’s in stock at Atlas, then it’s moving to dealers.
As for ME track, that’s what I use, weathered. Curving it is best done by placing it in a smooth flat surface and pushing it sideways to form as needed. The top of what many of us have near the layout, a laundry dryer, works great for this.
I like the fact that it holds its shape. This makes it easier to fit, mark for feeder attachment, etc.
BTW, I usually attach my feeders to the bottom of the rail. I scrape the weathering off with a #11 knife blade and it solders fine for me after that.
Seems to me the ad said end of the year for Code 100 - which according to the container report on the web site they are getting now.
–Randy
Hopefully the code 83 will follow suit!!!
Walthers/Shinohara track is 1 meter long (about 39 inches). Everyone else is 3 feet (36 inches) long.
I used both Atlas code 83 flex track and ME code 83 weathered track on my “Virginian project” layout, and had no trouble with either. The Atlas of course is more flexible and easier to work with, but I believe the ME track looks better. The ME track is more rigid, but I worked with curved steel guides you can buy from Walther’s to bend the track to fit. End of track sections where rail joiners went and soldering done was easily cleaned off with a wire wheel attachment on a Dremel. Perhaps this shortage will entice American suppliers to start producing the track over here themselves…
Between the out of stock cork roadbed fiasco and the Atlas flex debacle, the last 12 months have been a PITA for many of us! I’ve given up hope and patience with Atlas, especially when it comes to pre-ordering things that never show up. I bought my first full case of Atlas 83 flex about 2 years ago and have needed one more case to finish my railroad, but like I said… I’m done waiting around. I’ve strongly considered ME flex, but am leaning towards Walthers since all of my turnouts are also theirs. Can anyone explain to me why the cost of Walthers flex is twice as much as Atlas though? Many thanks!
~Kris
I use some Walthers turnouts, but also mostly ME flex due to the price difference and finer spike detail on the ME track. Assuming you’re using code 83, the rail cross section between the two brands is somewhat different, so you do have to be careful with rail joiners, but the tie thickness is compatible so they’re not too bad to use together.
ANyone tried the laser cut wood templates from Fast Tracks? I have some of the metal ones that I used, almost had to with my current layout since most curves were in the corners with no access to site down the track, my previous layout has access to 3 sides fromt he outside plus all 4 from the inside so it was easy to sight down the rails and check for kinks. I think with ME track they will be pretty much required. I’ll have to make a trip to the not so local LHS and have them order the metal ones from Walthers, as that is the first and last thing I will order direct - shipping was more than the set of templates AND one ended up being backordered even though listed as in stock at the time of my order - and the funny thing is they are made only a couple of hours from me, but the manufacturer does not sell direct.
–Randy