New Atlas Stuff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I aim to entertain...

[kalbert]

Alot of people here claim to be experts on manufacturing technologies and supply chain logistics, but they all seem to overlook the simple facts laid out by Atlas Paul. The stuff doesn't just make itself, it's an ordeal with alot of inside and outside influences. Maybe it doesn't have to be, maybe it does, right now that's the way it is though so deal. My earlier comment about painting a loco while you wait for track was made purely in jest. If you can't laugh, what have you got left?

When schedules slide there seems to be some perception of deception. It's a real pickle for sure, but I don't get why some people paint the track thing as dangling carrot in front of a donkey. We've no reason to believe the schedule is being conjured out of thin air. I can only assume it's based on what Atlas is being told, and I would assume at the time their told that it would be the factory's best guess too. I know that's alot of assuming on my part, and I know what assuming does, but what possibly could be the motivation for just making it up?

I did pass on some really cruddy 20 year old #6 C80 switches covered in hot glue gobs with hideous electric switch machines molded onto them at a swap meet this past weekend. About the time they started being made from unobtanium is when I realized I needed/wanted one more.... I hope passing on those cruddy ones wasnt' a mistake?

[txronharris]

They should? They are trying to get it back on track, including replacing molds that were damaged from the move.

It appears by your statements on this and the planning on the 15-1s that you really dont know how manufacturing works in the hobby industry.

And good day to you too sir! I don't really give a crap about what you think I may or may not know about the manufacturing ins and outs of model railroading. I appreciate you pointing out my perceived shortcomings in that area but assure you I won't loose any sleep over that.

My statements were based solely on my own and apparently almost everyone else's frustration with having layout plans and expansion put on hold because of failure to be able to get what are the best looking production N scale code 55 turnouts and track available.  As a consumer I'm entitled to that just as you're entitled to your opinion. Would I rather have had Atlas turnouts and track? ABSOLUTELY! Was I prepared to put my layout plans on hold further to wait for them? Nope.

I appreciate the efforts of Atlas to get things back up to speed on production of their N scale code 55 track and to continue to put out cool stuff. I will always purchase Atlas products just as I have in the past but do I appreciate them or other manufactuers crazy lead times? Nope again.

I enjoy the quality posts and layouts here and did back when I used to frequent The Railwire. I came back around because this is a great forum. I feel free to post a comment with my own opinion and if someone disagrees they can say so without getting personal with their reply. I feel you made a bit of a personal jab at me when you don't know anything about me or what I may/may not know. Moderator or not, I can call you out on that. I can tell you've got a bit of a dry sense of humor so we'll just leave it at that without distracting any further from a good forum topic.     

[JoeD]

The code 55 issue has had me at a stand still for a long time and I completely understand what Paul is saying.  We are at the mercy of a fickle manufacturing environment in China and while I would love to pull out all our tooling and do it here...that won't and can't happen.  Atlas is the 800 lb gorilla in the room as far as this subject is concerned and with all the money they have on the line and have to throw across the Pacific...and still get crappy service and excuses, you can guess what it's like for the rest of us.  So, ME products really don't work for all the switches I need, a few ok, but I decided to go ahead and build the benchwork, I have enough track to get close to a loop around the thing, and call it good till the Atlas switches show.  Not the best situation, but I'm ok with using a dremel cut off tool to drop in switches as they get to the hobby shop.  I can concentrate on the layout as a whole, get stuff running around the layout and deal with expansion as it presents itself.  Real railroads have to wing it sometimes...I guess I can too.    besides, I figure I will change my mind a dozen times before the first atlas switch hit the hobby shops...maybe a delay is keeping me from rushing into something I won't enjoy??

Joe

[davefoxx]

I'm okay with the delay of Atlas Code 55 track and understand what Paul is saying.  Heh, had the track been available I wouldn't have begun tackling what little scenery I have done on my layout (e.g., ballasting and my first SuperTrees), and, knowing myself, I would have justified the procrastination and expanded my layout only to have twice as much bare-naked layout.   

DFF

[jdcolombo]

At some point folks need to remember that Atlas is surely as unhappy about the manufacturing SNAFUs as everyone else.  It's lost sales to them across the board.  I can't believe they aren't doing everything humanly possible to get all their track lines back in stock and keep them that way.  For us, it is an inconvenience; for them, it is real lost money.

That doesn't mean one can't or shouldn't be unhappy about the situation; rather it just means that one should recognize that Atlas surely isn't trying to delay or fudge or lie to anyone.  I'm sure if they had their druthers, the track would all appear tomorrow.

It does seem that they have learned a very painful lesson, which is not to rely on one major supplier (unless that supplier happens to be your own factory).  Now that they have multiple suppliers, things should be more stable once stuff is back in the pipeline.

As for moving production back to the U.S. - well, that would be nice, but the capital investment required would be enormous.  Perhaps if several companies (Atlas, Intermountain, FVM, Athearn, etc.) did a joint venture, it would be within the realm of possibility, but I can certainly understand why no one's going that route alone.   This is model railroading; we're not talking about Toyota or Honda or BMW-sized companies. 

John C.

[jagged ben]

The Richmond units are very tempting, wrong phase and all. Hmmmm......

The Atlas model of 424 should be essentially correct, that locomotive having the standard air filter system.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2552140

The model of 423 would be off on the details, being a former Frisco unit with the inertial filter system and the nose notch.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2734198

[VonRyan]

... If Peco had more realistic code 55 turnouts, Atlas would be out of the track business.
...

Peco track is actually very realistic... Just not for the US.
It is a representative of the old UK practice of Bullhead rail in cast-iron "chairs" with wooden "keys" to keep the rail firm in the chairs.

For me, everything but Atlas c80 is impossible to find (regardless of production schedules), especially in the few hobby shops near me.


-Cody F.

[garethashenden]

Peco track is actually very realistic... Just not for the US.
It is a representative of the old UK practice of Bullhead rail in cast-iron "chairs" with wooden "keys" to keep the rail firm in the chairs.

For me, everything but Atlas c80 is impossible to find (regardless of production schedules), especially in the few hobby shops near me.


-Cody F.

Except it's not. Peco isn't accurate for British track either. The ties are too close together and it is flatbottom rail when it should be bullhead. When Peco started making track they made it up and we're all stuck with it. It's readily available and robust, but not accurate for anything.

[Atlas Paul]

We are definitely frustrated with the situation.  We are in daily communication with the factory to try and get improved production and shipping schedules.  In fact, I am heading over to China tomorrow to visit with a number of our factories, so hopefully will have some better news in the near future.

[TiVoPrince]

Happy
Trails, and much success getting that DH643 into production...

[PAL_Houston]

We are definitely frustrated with the situation.  We are in daily communication with the factory to try and get improved production and shipping schedules.  In fact, I am heading over to China tomorrow to visit with a number of our factories, so hopefully will have some better news in the near future.

Travel safely.
Come back with some good new for us, too!