Empire Trackworks

Empire Trackworks Switch over to the RIGHT track!

08/19/2026

19 Aug 2026 updated order status.

Bad news first......I took 2 weeks of vacation to attend the NMRA and NASG conventions. Using my time wisely, I was able to prepare many of the sub-assemblies for orders getting them finished quickly after returning home.

Several orders were placed during the conventions.

Sounds like good news, but.......

Norfolk Southern, my fulltime job, reduced the conductor extra boards from 6 to 3. I don't know why this decision was made. This creates less time available to build orders.

Now the good news.

My grandson is helping prepare the sub-assemblies after school. He is learning quickly and upholding my quality standards. Helping with the preparation is key to the speedy final assembly procedures. His focus is on the routine pieces of trackwork; custom pieces remain under my control as they are difficult to master for a 17 year old kid.

My other grandson may be helping too. A full family affair is quickly developing to cut production time in half.

All of you have put your trust in Empire Trackworks to provide stellar quality trackwork. I fully intend to uphold my promise.

Everyone has been patient as the build process has been slowing down as NS has been taking away my "time".

As a business owner, I want Empire Trackworks to be successful and the "go to" company for high quality track components unavailable in the RTR market.

Customer communications and exceptional quality remain top priority.

Phew....

Customers with open orders can expect an email (soon) with the same explanations as to the delay in order production with planned options to improve the delays. Remember, I'm a 1 man show who never expected the wonderful support from fellow hobbyists and completely underestimated the demand for our products.

As usual, contact me anytime for a direct update on your order.

Shipped:
26-03-003
26-03-004
26-04-002
26-07-001

Build que sequence:
26-04-007: 8 items, supplies on hand
26-04-008: 4 items, supplies ordered
26-06-001: 4 items, supplies on hand
26-06-003: 7 items, supplies on hand
26-06-002
26-08-001
26-08-003
26-08-004
26-08-005
26-08-006
26-08-007
26-08-008
26-08-009

Orders pending approval / payment:
26-06-004
26-06-005

08/13/2026

4 days after the back to back conventions...... finally unpacked from all the traveling.

Significant changes occurred within my district NS operations affecting the orders build que. Essentially the conductors extra board was cut in half and split between 2 locations; I'll be called for work more frequently.

Building & finishing orders is my priority with what little off time I get.

I'll provide a detailed plan of attack Friday to keep my customers informed on the status of their orders.

08/01/2026

NMRA convention is going good. Tons of visitors asking questions and complementing the products.

Our flex track offerings were a highlight. Many asked when "their scale" would be included. All in time.

All set up at the NMRA Convention. I am happy with the location as it will have tons of foot traffic.Open invitation for...
07/30/2026

All set up at the NMRA Convention. I am happy with the location as it will have tons of foot traffic.

Open invitation for all to visit and see the product samples.

16 July 2026: Weekly update on order status.... Friday 17 July 2026 represents 30 years of marriage and 18 years working...
07/17/2026

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

Friday 17 July 2026 represents 30 years of marriage and 18 years working for Norfolk Southern. Both are going very well.

As I prepare to attend both the NMRA and NASG conventions, the candle is burning from both ends once again. New display pieces are in the workings.

The flex track project is progressing quickly. The listed pieces are ready for sale. These are not yet posted onto our website. I hope to have them updated soon. Contact us via email for purchase inquiries.

S - Code 100 (with simulated tie plates)
Sn3 - Code 83/70
On3 - Code 100

Options include:
- completed flex track in 36-inch lengths
- starter pack consisting of 2 tie holder assembly fixtures and 24 9-inch sections of tie strips
- additional tie strip bunch consisting of 4 9-inch sections of tie strips

Future flex track options include:
S - Code 70/83/125/148 (with simulated tie plates)
Sn2 - Code 70/83
On3 - Code 70/83
On2 - Code 70/83/100
And others as requested

Other new projects near completion are the turnout tie strips. These will replace the wood ties on our standard turnouts to complement our flex track. A system of track is the goal.

If you are reading this far, you want to know the status of your order.

Shipped:
26-02-005
26-03-002
26-04-001
26-04-004
26-04-003
26-04-006

Build que sequence:
26-04-007: 8 items, supplies on hand
26-04-008: 4 items, supplies ordered
26-03-003: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-03-004: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-06-001: 4 items, supplies on hand
26-04-002: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-06-003: 7 items, supplies on hand
26-07-001: 2 items, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment:
26-06-002
26-06-004
26-06-005

06/02/2026

2 June 2026: Weekly update on order status....

The flex track project is progressing quickly. The final stages of R&D for S C100, Sn3 C70 & On3 C100 are happening this week. Other scales and rail codes will follow. Hope to have them added to the website soon.

Shipped:
26-02-003
26-02-004
26-02-006
26-05-001

Build que sequence:
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
26-03-003: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-03-004: 1 item, supplies on hand
26-06-001: 4 items, supplies on hand

Orders pending approval / payment:
26-04-002
26-06-002

2 years ago, I started Empire Trackworks. Today, I have achieved reaching level 3 out of 5.All track products will event...
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.

Waiting on the phone call for work. Pushed through the night to finish an order. Sn3 Code 70, 100% hand built without fi...
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.

Good news!The development of S gauge turnout ties has been given a significant boost!These are S #6 Version 3 of the pr...
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.

Address

54 Hollyhock Court
Flat Rock, NC
28731

Telephone

+19106248163

Website

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