What has happen to Micro Engineering track? have they gone bellly up? Every vendor i look at it’s all back order. I think I have two or three back orders from one vendor since January.
According to this, https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/new-ownership-for-microengineering.145661/, Microengineering changed hands in 2022. At that time they had an 18 month backlog.
There’s flex track and turnouts available on some websites.
I checked trainworld and they did have track in stock
https://www.trainworld.com/shop-by-brand/micro-engineering.html?scale=151&wk_preorder=0
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with them. Just a happy customer…
Neal
Another vendor to consider: https://yankeedabbler.com/products/micro-engineering-10-104-code-83-flex-track-3-code-83-track-6-pieces-scale-ho-part-255-10104
I swear by ME track. While more expensive than Atlas, I love how it keep the curves. You just have to cut the plastic connecting the ties when they create a “V” shape from the curved track.
While ME track has a reputation for being hard to lay, is fragile because the spike detail is so small, I like it too. And even with my code 70 track, I can run pizza cutter Rivarossi steamers without them hitting the spikes.
I hope you can find what your layout needs. Dan
I have some ME flex track but I find it hard to bend to a smooth flowing curve. Atlas code 83 is much springier and it’s much easier to get a smooth curve.
Does Atlas track keep its shape when curved? I think the OP was looking for something sturdy. I would.
I don’t need it to keep it’s shape if I hold it up in the air. I can curve it nice and smooth and then fasten it down in that state. So much easier than having to work it over and over to the curve I need, and then stroke the ties to get them even. Atlas seems to be plenty sturdy. If very sturdy is needed, then code 100 should do the job.
Completely agreed. Once I glue my track to my homasote roadbed, it is plenty sturdy.
I want flowing trackwork, hard to do with Micro Engineering.
The other problem is the limited selection of turnouts.
Sheldon
Fortunately, ME track works well (for me) with my Atlas Turnouts.
I use ME bridge track, and I love their bridges.
I prefer the whole Atlas “system” for a number of reasons. When I need turnouts outside the Atlas offerings I prefer Walthers or I build them myself.
Many of my early layouts were all handlayed track andscratch built turnouts. no interest in that anymore except when I need something special.
Sheldon