Empire Trackworks

05/22/2026

2 years ago, I started Empire Trackworks. Today, I have achieved reaching level 3 out of 5.

All track products will eventually have 3D printed ties as the standard.

All scales, rail codes, generic to custom pieces.

Attached are a few pictures of the 1st turnout with 3D ties. The cable under the frog is the FEU ( Full Electrical Upgrade) . Pictures are unfiltered quickly taken with the cell phone.

Our flex track is undergoing revisions in design & materials used from customer feedback.

I should have a calendar projected availability date for each of the different flex track scales & rail codes within 2 weeks.

Orders are still being built; slower than expected, but with the grand daughter making cups of coffee, I'm pushing through the nights.

05/17/2026

Waiting on the phone call for work. Pushed through the night to finish an order.

Sn3 Code 70, 100% hand built without fixtures. Basic Electrical Upgrade (BEU) including hidden power jumpers to provide power to both sets of frog rails. Full Electrical Upgrade (FEU) available on request.

3D printed ties also an option.

Thanks to the wife for kicking my rear end downstairs to get this done.

05/17/2026

For my customers, as you know, my regular full-time job is a conductor on the extra board. After Helen destroyed our territory, NS furloughed 6 of our conductors causing the remaining personnel to be called for work at an alarming rate. I survived the cut offs and continue to build orders in my spare time.

Orders are being built but at a very slow pace compared to 2 years ago when I started this adventure.

Our customers are understanding to the situation and I greatly appreciate the patience waiting for their order.

The rail service has been restored with limited trains traveling the route.

Now for 2 pieces of good news.

NS has brought back 2 of the furloughed conductors giving me more time between work calls to build orders. NS plans to bring back the remaining furloughed soon.

Secondly, I have a new 3D designer helping with products.

New 3D printed turnout ties for all scales and rail codes. Standard gauge turnouts will have simulated tie plates and narrow gauge will not.

The flex track will be redesigned with stronger materials.

All these upgraded products are scheduled to be displayed at the NMRA (July) and NASG (August) 2026 conventions.

I am listening to the modelers "want list". I'm filling in the gaps as quickly as I can under stressful situations.

3 more years with NS and I'll turn in my switch keys and devote my time to Empire Trackworks.

Thanks again to everyone for your support.

05/14/2026

Good news!

The development of S gauge turnout ties has been given a significant boost!

These are S #6 Version 3 of the progress. Further changes are still to be made. We should have the final version completed by the end of the week.

All future turnouts, all scales and rail codes, will have the newest 3D printed turnout ties.

Our Flex Track is having a major revision to make the product stronger.

04/28/2026

27 April 2026: Weekly update on order status....

The flex track project is getting a boost next week. Hope to have the newest version approved soon. I know its been awhile since I announced the flex track project available in multiple scales and rail codes. Changes are being made with feedback from "testers" to improve the product line.

Shipped:
26-02-002
26-04-005

Build que sequence:
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-004: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-02-005: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-03-002: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-001: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-004: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-003: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-007: 8 items, supplies on hand
26-04-008: 4 items, supplies ordered

Orders pending approval / payment
26-03-003
26-03-004
26-04-002

04/17/2026

17 April 2026: Weekly update on order status....

Shipped:
26-02-001

Build que sequence:
26-02-002: 3 items, 25% complete
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-004: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-02-005: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-03-002: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-001: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-004: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-003: 1 item, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment
26-03-003
26-03-004
26-04-002
26-04-006

04/17/2026

17 April 2026: Weekly update on order status....

Shipped:
26-02-001

Build que sequence:
26-02-002: 3 items, 25% complete
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-004: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-02-005: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-04-001: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-004: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-04-003: 1 item, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment
26-03-002
26-03-003
26-03-004
26-04-002
26-04-006

04/06/2026

5 April 2026: Weekly update on order status....

Shipped:
26-01-003
26-01-004
26-02-007
26-03-001

Build que sequence:
26-02-001: 2 items, 98% complete
26-02-002: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-004: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-02-005: 2 items, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment
26-03-002
26-03-004
26-04-001
26-04-002

03/16/2026

16 March 2026: Weekly update on order status....

Shipped:
25-12-003

Build que sequence:
26-01-003: 1 item, 95% complete
26-01-004: 5 items, supplies on hand
26-02-001: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-002: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-004: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-006: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-02-007: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-03-001: 4 items, supplies on hand
26-02-005: 2 items, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment
26-03-002

Send a message to learn more

02/25/2026

Seeking comments from customers and pictures of products installed. Don't hold back! Include the Good, Bad & Ugly!

What improvements would you like to see?

I do have plans to upgrade to 3D printed ties for trackwork pieces.

The flex track projects are still in R&D stages.
S C100 flex track is ready.
S C70/83/125 is almost ready
Sn3 C70/83 is almost ready
On3 C70/83/100 is almost ready
On30, On2, HOn3, Sn2 and others are future projects.

Send a message to learn more

02/25/2026

25 Feb 2026: Weekly update on order status....

Shipped:
25-08-004
25-10-001 / 25-10-009
25-12-004

Build que:
25-12-003: 5 items, 85% complete
26-01-003: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-01-004: 5 items, supplies on hand
26-02-001: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-002: 2 items, supplies on hand
26-02-003: 2 items, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment
26-02-004:
26-02-005:

Send a message to learn more