Atlas Track question? Anyone run this or have run on it?

[ChallengerGuy]

Just checking in to see if anyone runs Atlas track? I already have a custom routed track but I really liked the look of Atlas so I picked up some. Curious if anyone has any opinions on it. I am probably 20 years too late in asking but thought I would see! I already have a huge collection of Aurora Model Motoring track including a couple of Sand Van sets with the cool orange track. But this Atlas track is very cool too. Here's some of my stuff:



Cheers,
Mike

[Ralphthe3rd]

IMHO- Atlas and/or Lionel Track(same basic track and totally compatible) are 10x better than Aurora Lock & Joiner Track. I've been gathering both Atlas and Lionel track to make a retro Roadcourse, which I should be building during the upcoming winter months.
I have a buddy(from Chambersburg Pa) who built a pretty large roadcourse(4' x 16') using Atlas/Lionel track, and after I drove his course, I was Sold on Atlas/Lionel ! It's smoother at the joints and has the best electrical contact possible(Faller uses the same style Joiners too).

[Ralphthe3rd]

PS- and the Atlas intersection track (x4) can make the easiest 4 lane figure Eight possible! And you cannot do that with any other brand of track either- not without cutting and fabricating.

[ChallengerGuy]

Thanks for that information. I look forward to getting my basic 4-lane figure 8 up and running. I also bought an additional lot of Atlas track and it includes single lane pieces. Is there a decent reference for all the track pieces available? I ask since the lot does not include any piece (like a Y-track) that allows cars to go onto single lane track. Of course I have a few y tracks in Aurora lock and joiner but have not seen a reference to a similar piece in Atlas.

And yes, the track is definitely on an order of magnitude more sturdy than Aurora...and I thought Aurora was so much nicer than the later quick-click AFX track.

Cheers,
Mike

[TuscoTodd]

I had never looked at the Atlas / Lionel track before - and wow(!) that is a pretty nice joining system!
And had to look up the intersection piece to see why it was "special" and one look says it all! Very cool!
(always nice to learn something new with your coffee!) :D

[ChallengerGuy]

There is also a road & rail intersection that looks just like it, only it has a train rail. So, yeah, it's a well thought out system...can't wait to start messing with it all!

[BIG E]

Ralph, I've got a few cartons of Atlas track stashed away in hopes of one day making a nice, smooth, six lane oval
for stock and modified T-Jet cars. The hard part is coming up with enough of the hardware to assemble all that track.
There were many dealers in this area who sold Atlas Road Racing back in the day (and still deal their RR stuff) --
and I've visited most of them -- unfortunately with less success than I'd like.
I've also spoken to Atlas reps in person within the past few years. This problem has been discussed here before.
Anyone know where the "mother lode" of Atlas track connecters is located? -- Ernie :>)

[RichD]

I did a Google search for Atlas HO track joiners and found an ebay listing of 146 Atlas joiners for $65. You could also try using steel roll pins (slotted spring pins) from a hardware store.

[ChallengerGuy]

One, perhaps not so cost effective, way is to buy odd-lot track sets and "hope" they come with joiners.

[BIG E]

Yeah, been there and done that for the past few decades! :>)
Maybe I should take inventory of all the little bags of connectors I've found here and there over the years,
I've been throwing them into those boxes of Atlas track -- I may have enough now and not even know it!
Thanks just the same. Have fun with your set up, it's really great stuff to run on, especially T-Jet type cars... Ernie

[Ralphthe3rd]

About the joiners, I got all the ones I'll ever need in very short time. When I first decided to gather track to build an Atlas/Lionel Road Course, I got some from my friend Rick Wurtz(who inspired me with his layout), then I got a whole bunch when I got a Large Lionel Track lot from a guy on one of the forums that was just GIVING the Lionel Track away, and finally, I got alot of the Joiners from Guy Graziano(Slot Dealer), who still had more left over that I didn't buy. And don't forget, the Lionel Joiners(and Track) are 100% compatible :)

[ChallengerGuy]

Yup, I picked up a BIN Lionel set and it had quite a few joiners...that with another set I picked up should cover me for my plans. Of course, I will buy more as I discover more. Just because.

[BIG E]

Good idea, Rich, maybe I'll give it a shot.
I'll be seeing my old vendor buddy Guy Graziano at the NJ slot car show in Parsippany next month.
Thanks, guys... Ernie