So I am about to embark on construction of my 6th model railroad, I was planning on using HO scale code 83 throughout - i.e. MicroEngineering flex track, Peco, ME or Walthers turnouts etc. Though I am in the initial benchwork stage (the first two L-girders went together yesterday), I thought I would browse a little to see what track and turnouts are available. A perusal of the Trainworld and Walthers sites indicates that most everything is out of stock - i.e. the ubiquitous ME #5a turnout, #6 Peco Insulfrogs etc.
Railroad #5 was Code 100 mainline and 83 branches, so I do have quite a lot of Code 100 salvaged from that - used Atlas for staging and Peco for the visible track. I do also have quite a bit of Code 83 salvaged from the branches - mostly ME with some Tillig Elite.
I'm thinking that maybe I should just stick with Code 100 on the mains to allow use of the salvaged track from the old railroad. I am modeling the PRR so the Code 100 is not too horrendously objectionable from a prototype perspective, and I didn't really mind the Code 100 too much on the old layout.
Is anyone under construction on a large-ish model railroad running into issues in obtaining track, in particular turnouts? Have you run into any other areas where the "supply chain issues" are impacting your railroad's progress? (as an aside - we are STILL waiting over a year later for our new Wolf range - was supposed to be delivered this week, but delayed AGAIN now until April). Any recommendations for reputable suppliers other than Trainworld and Walthers (i.e. who have decent prices and reasonable inventory)?
Well,
I just checked modeltrainstuff and there are 33 boxes of Peco code 83 flex track instock. Surely that should cover your flex track needs. There are also a bunch of #6 (23 at the moment) Unifrog left hand turnouts although the right hand are out of stock.
I use Peco #8 for mainline siding and I see those are in stock.
I have used Atlas code 83 flex in the past and it is easy to work with, but switched to Peco for the current layout. MicroEnineering is trying to sell their business so I am not sure what the availability will be like, although they may still be manufacturing track while they are looking to sell the company.
So it looks like if you start buy what is on hand and hunt around, and start stock piling now, you may be ok.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The key question is, "What is your timeframe?". IOW, when do you plan to start laying track. These shortages tend to be short term. Is the problem lack of turnouts, flex track, or both? I didn't see Atlas on your list. Atlas is a good choice for code 83 flex track and last I checked it was still available. As for turnouts, I have not shopped those for a while.
A few years back I was getting ready to build that short line that connects to my mainline which was already built. I wanted to buy Atlas flex track but there was none to be found so I opted for ME flex track instead. By the time I built the bench work and was read to lay track, Atlas track became available. I tried to use the ME track and I don't like it at all. It is very stiff and hard to make smooth curves with. I've ended up using that in sidings and yards and use the Atlas on the main route of the short line.
Being in S scale, I have learned to stockpile essentials when they are available.
Before I started my current layout (which is still in the track laying stage) I acquired some 50+ scale turnouts made by Fox Valley Models and over 200 ft of matching flex track. So even though these are currently unavailable, I am not affected.
I also have enough HO and O track for small layouts in both scales which I will build once the S scale layout is further along.
With the way things are produced in cycles or only produced one time, I also buy locomotives, cars, structures, etc. that appeal to me when I see them and can afford them.
Paul
Yankee Dabbler has lots of Peco
rrebell Yankee Dabbler has lots of Peco
Since I now live in Delaware, Yankee Dabbler is actually a reasonably short road trip away now. But, to save the shipping costs, how can I afford the gas at the current prices?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for responses so far. I don't anticipate issues with getting Flextrack, mainly the turnouts were a concern. Regarding timeframe I should be OK in the short term - I can use Code 100 and my Atlas turnouts for the staging which will be the first to go in, as well as a port branch which can use some existing Code 83. So I need ot decide to either stick to Code 100 on the mains or start scrounging!
https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Scales%5B%5D=1&f_Manufacturers%5B%5D=255&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0&InStock=1&NewArrival=1
https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Scales%5B%5D=1&f_Manufacturers%5B%5D=552&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0&InStock=1&NewArrival=1
https://www.pwrs.ca/product_search.php?f_Scales%5B%5D=1&f_Manufacturers%5B%5D=948&f_ProductTypes=null&f_Keywords=&f_HasSound=0&f_HasDCC=0&InStock=1&NewArrival=1
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I would lean toward code 83 as much as possible, not because I think it looks that much better but it seems to me that has become the de facto standard and there will probably be more availablility of commercial turnouts.
Pennsy,
Over the years there have been various "shortages" in track components. When I was laying track on my layout (600-700 feet of flex and 90+ turnouts), I bought the flex where I could find it and switches were purchased from Ebay, local shops and online retailers.
I only got caught once without materials in the three years or so that it took me to lay the bulk of the track. An intensive search led to the component in a shop three hours a way - a quick call and the item was on my doorstep in a week.
I would not go to code 100 for your visible mainline. In the time it takes to get the other parts of the trackwork done, I am confident that you will find the code 83 components for the mainline. There is so much of this stuff out there that is not being used and is being sold on the secondary market that if you have lead time and are patient, you will find it.
I took the unusual approach of buying one of every switch brand I could find in code 83 and 70 to choose the ones I liked best. I settled on Micro engineering for my standard and Walthers for the specialty stuff. Later I started using Railway engineering point/frog kits. Now I would likely use fast tracks (thery were not around when I started the project). I use Micro engineering flex on all of the visble mainline portions of the layout.
Good luck with the search,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
When I was planning to build my new layout (which evolved from a planned expansion to the old one) I ended up sticking with the Atlas Code 100 that I have always used for a number of reasons. It is fairly easy to work with, I could reuse a lot of turnouts from the old layout (never ballasted), it was fairly easy to obtain (been a few years), and it interacts nicely with other companies products (on the old layout I had ME bridge track and a Peco 3-way. Bridge track didn't get to the new one but a second 3-way was added.), and it isn't a headache to wire (I am still using standard DC).
I had a bunch of turnouts that I had never used, purchased a large quantity of 22" R, and I bought a large quantity of NOS 9" straight bulk from a shop that had gone out of business so it made sense to reuse/use it.
Just my opinion.
I would stick with what I want most and check my favroable website frequently, which is my problem; I bought lots of things I would probably need in 10 years after.... But building a layout takes times, items not available today may show up tomorrow...
Jerry
Micro enginering was trying to sell their equipment i saw it in a few magazines