Atlas turnouts (not) getting scarce again

[Steveruger45]

Hogs Trains has some #10 turnouts in stock
http://www.hogtrainz.com/NATLASTRACK.htm

[Doug G.]

I'm just gonna go over to China, get that tooling and equipment, bring it back and set it up in my basement, and make my own switches.



Doug

[Chris333]

So I got an Atlas Z turnout on ebay. I noticed the joiners are about half the length of regular C55 joiners. I've been cutting them in half for years so I sure hope Atlas starts selling them that way.

[Blazeman]

Dropping in a loosely related item from the real world.
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/railroads/us-rail-interests-see-china-as-major-security-threat?utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71542475&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_wWcv0MxG3J3JGnIg4R5OpqwwxwVQRxLWENeVDOcYHr2vjuii8ojqMNNADz6ROVtA91yxHWVtiExBCDKjFQ_eEgyZZaoYYICIDuqEP8UTYJXKAzfk&_hsmi=71542475

[Maletrain]

Re: Blazeman's post about China "security threat" to U.S. 1:1 railroads<

This is the model product forum, and the Chinese have been controlling U.S. model railroad for some time, now, between Atlas and Bachmann. So, does that make the new threat a model of our economic situation?  Just think, a 160:1 model of our dollar drain for N scale models being implemented in the 1:1 railroad world.

[peteski]

Re: Blazeman's post about China "security threat" to U.S. 1:1 railroads<

This is the model product forum, and the Chinese have been controlling U.S. model railroad for some time, now, between Atlas and Bachmann . .

. . . and most other domestic model RR manufacturers.

[Rossford Yard]

Re: Blazeman's post about China "security threat" to U.S. 1:1 railroads<

This is the model product forum, and the Chinese have been controlling U.S. model railroad for some time, now, between Atlas and Bachmann. So, does that make the new threat a model of our economic situation?  Just think, a 160:1 model of our dollar drain for N scale models being implemented in the 1:1 railroad world.

Or paying 1/160th of the cost of a real loco (usually $1.5-2.3M per copy, or $12,500) If figuring by volume reduction at 1/25,600th, we do a little better at $78.

[pedro]

That’s a lot of fake news smoke-blowing. This fear-mongering article brought to you by a lobbying group for railcar manufacturers. Come on.

[randgust]

Much of my 12"=1' stuff involves federal dollars (partial, with state and local) and there are some rather strict 'Buy American" policies in there, particularly for steel.

So there's already some protection in there, but it sure makes things hard.   Try to qualify a 1:1 switchstand as 100% US-melted steel.   Or spikes, anchors, clips, bars, nuts, lockwashers.....   And if you really want to mess somebody up, put some control electronics manufactured in the far east in a steel case.   FTA has some pretty good guidelines, but you can grow old getting them through other funding agencies.

As far as for turnouts, I consider myself a pretty good scratchbuilder and a B-grade guy with a soldering iron, but I still can't build a turnout - even the tooling is expensive to give it a shot.  Looking at this thread I never did see Kato.  And you know what?  Look at the growth that has created in the 'stupid-simple' N scale start market with T-trak.   If you want the scale to survive, you must have basic product, including easy-to-use and entry-level.   And what's more, you got a pretty good answer from Paul, he's on it.   If you think you can make a living selling premade Code 40 or Code 55 turnouts, I'll even try a couple, wish you the very best.  Nobody stopping you except somebody that runs the numbers.   

Nothing wrong with advocating a closer-to-scale, better-appearing product, just don't forget how we all got here.  I'll bet 80% of the crowd that's been in it over 10 years had an Atlas C80 as their first turnout.   

[glakedylan]

i am pretty well stocked up on Atlas code 55 TO's
#7's and #10's only
willing to part with some to help fund some higher priority stuff
PM me if any interest.
thanks
Gary

cannot say i did not offer
any takers? 12.50/code 55 turnout #7
13.50/code 55 turnout #10


going once, going twice, last offer...


Gary

[peteski]

cannot say i did not offer
any takers? 12.50/code 55 turnout #7
13.50/code 55 turnout #10

going once, going twice, last offer...

Gary

Eh, people just like to kvetch.