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Post by mgatdog on Nov 4, 2017 11:12:18 GMT -5
Has anyone heard of any updates on Atlas z scale switches ?The last one I saw from Paul at Atlas was on another forum . That was in September .
l was hoping before end of this year.
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Post by ProgressRail on Nov 4, 2017 11:45:26 GMT -5
I just looked at the Atlas production schedule & shipping report on their website; nothing new is listed for Z scale. Probably still testing the sample turnout molds, if they even have them in hand yet. Atlas Model Railroad Company, INC.
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Post by zscalehobo on Nov 4, 2017 21:17:48 GMT -5
Regarding Atlas turnouts, on Sept 11, 2017 Paul said to me directly: "Nothing yet. Once we get something suitable to show, we will post photos. Once we have a release schedule in place, we will make a product announcement."
They aren't giving any firm dates. Previous correspondences with Paul did indicate specific months. But now that those initial targets have passed, I am sure they don't want to raise expectations without anything solid to tell. I think we all would prefer they get them right and late rather than early and problematic. We hope for early + perfect, but alas, it is a difficult manufacturing process we are talking about.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Nov 4, 2017 21:29:16 GMT -5
I️ was told to expect an announcement in December, but that was about two months ago. Timetables do slip.
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Post by markm on Nov 4, 2017 22:41:57 GMT -5
Perhaps this question is better asked over on that other board since Atlas appears to monitoring the thread.
My take on the discussion was that they should be getting prototype samples for testing about now and if everything worked right on the production schedule by the end of the year. So I'm not looking for an update until the first of the new year.
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Post by neverland on Nov 5, 2017 3:33:59 GMT -5
Without their switches I'm reluctant to stock up on their flex track for my next layout. Has anyone combined their tracks with another's switches?
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Post by Rob Albritton on Nov 5, 2017 8:49:08 GMT -5
Without their switches I'm reluctant to stock up on their flex track for my next layout. Has anyone combined their tracks with another's switches? Yes! The rails match well with Marklin and Rokuhan switches. I’m in the same boat, but pressing ahead: laying track with Atlas and using Marklin switches as temporarys until Atlas arrives. But, my track is set up in a manner that it doesn’t matter if the Atlas switches do not match the marklin size, and I’m holding off of the sidings until I see the Atlas announcement, so that keeps the number of temporary switches to a minimum. |
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Post by mgatdog on Nov 5, 2017 9:04:55 GMT -5
For me I don't want to start my layout and then go back and tear up what I already did. Don't get me wrong it's killing me because I'm not getting any younger.
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Post by neverland on Nov 5, 2017 9:12:22 GMT -5
I debated whether I should just stick with Marklin tracks & their limited radii or whether I wanted the flexibility that flex tracks allows. Nice to know the Marklin, however ugly, will integrate well.
I'm not getting any younger either so waiting seems like a waste of time.
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Post by mgatdog on Nov 5, 2017 9:13:37 GMT -5
Also I just seen in December issue of Model Railroader . An article on product review of the Atlas z scale flex track . They also mentioned about turnouts but no release date just keep checking back with Atlas web site.
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Post by nscalemike on Nov 5, 2017 15:46:38 GMT -5
Does the micro-trains switches work well with the atlas flex?
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Post by markm on Nov 5, 2017 16:11:08 GMT -5
Does the micro-trains switches work well with the atlas flex? Mike, Welcome to the forum. If I remember, you want to use Atlas rail joiners and as I mentioned earlier you want about a 75 mil roadbed to match up with the MTL track. Mark |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Nov 5, 2017 20:06:25 GMT -5
Does the micro-trains switches work well with the atlas flex? In my opinion: no. The rail head is wider on the Atlas track. You will need to file the inside of the Atlas rails down to match the more narrow MTL rail heads. This can be especially tricky on curves and lead to derailments if not tuned properly. Why? Well, when your wheels roll from the narrow rail head MTL track to the wider rail head Atlas track (it is also a bit more narrow because the rail head is fatter) it is going to hit the Atlas rail head, ride up and over the rail, and come off the track - just like a real-world derail does. One of our modules has a bit of track on a curve that transitions from Atlas to MTL - it used to throw trains left and right until I worked on it with a miniature diamond file for about 20 minutes. Serious pain. So, can it be done? well, sure - anything can be done. But it's not that easy. |
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Post by nscalemike on Nov 5, 2017 21:47:17 GMT -5
Does the micro-trains switches work well with the atlas flex? In my opinion: no. The rail head is wider on the Atlas track. You will need to file the inside of the Atlas rails down to match the more narrow MTL rail heads. This can be especially tricky on curves and lead to derailments if not tuned properly. Why? Well, when your wheels roll from the narrow rail head MTL track to the wider rail head Atlas track (it is also a bit more narrow because the rail head is fatter) it is going to hit the Atlas rail head, ride up and over the rail, and come off the track - just like a real-world derail does. One of our modules has a bit of track on a curve that transitions from Atlas to MTL - it used to throw trains left and right until I worked on it with a miniature diamond file for about 20 minutes. Serious pain. So, can it be done? well, sure - anything can be done. But it's not that easy. Thanks for the help! Was just started to get into Z scale and the Atlas flex looks like the way to go right now! |
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Post by BAZman on Nov 7, 2017 1:01:29 GMT -5
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