c55

[Nilmadic]

Well it is March, and while it is great Atlas is making locos with sound, where is the track? Guess what, that locomotive wont run on roadbed or pink foam .

You want to impress me Atlas, show up at the WGH show for one.

Two: Start shipping code 55 turnouts and flex track again.

Three: MP-15-AC with sound.

[chicken45]

Didn't they already tell us "May" for the track? Why complain about it?

[Nilmadic]

Maybe I was too soon  I thought they said March...er uh  in any case, this isn't a complaint forum anyway. I just really wish I had some track    I have 12 feet of cement modules to build that needs track. I also have a yard in the plans that will need A LOT of track and turnouts.

Here's the bottom line, I like Atlas. I like their products. I wish they came to the WGH show. It is just increasingly frustrating to have to rely on Chinese manufacturing.

I for one am willing to pay a little more for a product that came from the USA.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You do realize that this isn't the Atlas forum, and that Atlas employees don't use this as an official communication means, right?

If you get a response from them, it's out of the goodness of their heart. Perhaps, if you're actually wondering what's going on (instead of uselessly complaining about something), you could email them directly.

[Nilmadic]

You do realize that this isn't the Atlas forum, and that Atlas employees don't use this as an official communication means, right?

Yep

Perhaps, if you're actually wondering what's going on (instead of uselessly complaining about something), you could email them directly.

I remember now.......this is why I thought March...straight from the horse's mouth.

[Dave Schneider]

To be fair, there is a quite of bit of "useless complaining" on The Railwire and other forums. I agree that direct comms with manufacturers is the best way to get info, but let's not be overly harsh on Nils for his question. I hear he does good work! We want pictures! 

Best wishes, Dave

[DKS]

I remember now.......this is why I thought March...straight from the horse's mouth.

The b@stards! String them all up, I say!

[Rossford Yard]

Feb to May would be one of the smaller delivery delays this hobby has experienced over the years.  Stuff happens.

As to frustration with Chinese manufacturing, yes, the last year posed many problems, but overall, your frustration is at least ten years too late!

[flight2000]

I for one am willing to pay a little more for a product that came from the USA.

Micro Engineering Code 55 would be your track then... made right here in the heartland (Fenton, MO)   

Brian

[Rossford Yard]

Don't want to get into the flame wars on track or American mfg.  I do agree it would be nice to have American made stuff.

It would be interesting to see how ME does it.  I figure their molding cost is reused and that if they came out with new product, and its attendent costs, it would be much higher than the $4 for a piece of flex track.

I once figured out the shipping cost from China for a loco or freight car, and it came out to just pennies per piece.  So, reduced shipping costs are also unlikely to make up for that 90% advantage in labor costs.

In other words, nice idea, but there is a reason most mfgs in this and most low value product industries make stuff overseas.

[flight2000]

There was a nice article about ME in the Model Railroad Hobbist eZine back in November. 

Not sure if you have to register or not to view the article (it's still free).  They have a video of the tour available too.

http://issuu.com/mr-hobbyist/docs/mrh12-11-nov2012-ol?viewMode=presentation&mode=embed&pageNumber=54

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh-2012-11-nov/wntw_micro-engineering-visit

Brian

[Nilmadic]

Micro Engineering Code 55 would be your track then... made right here in the heartland (Fenton, MO)   

Brian

I actually have more ME flex track on my modules than atlas. I have a huge ME bridge module in the works.

Can be seen here, I also scratched the rock shed in the opening shot:

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I like their products very much.

What I really need to do is teach myself how to hand lay turnouts so I am not reliant on commercial products. I use Atlas mostly because they make #10, #7, #5, wye, curved as well as a variety of crossings. It would be nice to see ME eventually do more of a variety. If i have my facts right they only have a #6. I have had similar issues getting micro engineering track from my hobby shop. I have 20 pieces on order right now, and they have no turnout stock.

[sizemore]

Wow what an email. Surprised they didn't just ride the ship right up on the shore and deliver it to your door personally back in February.

The S.

[Atlas Paul]

I am surprised to see that email from Mr. Millenbach, as when I was in China in October, the factory told us that the schedule for Code 55 shipments was going to be March and April, meaning it would arrive in the US in April and May.  Now that the factories have returned from the Lunar New Year holidays, we are trying to update the schedule.  This time of year is always chaotic in China as it is not uncommon for a factory to lose from 1/3 to 1/2 of their workers after the holiday break.

I will try to keep you posted as we get information.

[VonRyan]

... This time of year is always chaotic in China as it is not uncommon for a factory to lose from 1/3 to 1/2 of their workers after the holiday break.
...

That seems odd to me... Were they fired, killed, eaten, imprisoned, ... ?

-Cody F.