hello, TinMan here... We currently have in stock about 20,000 pieces of O, standard, and O27 tracks all are now tinman GEN II finishes, getting ready for the fall season. All of these tracks have had the original pins removed, and replaced with new stainless steel pins that are 1 mm longer than the originals. The reason for this is we have frequently found that the original pins often are corroded, or rusty inside the tubes. So when we replace them with the ever so slightly longer ss pins, they will go into virgin metal. WE have discovered a method of reconditioning the used pins in large quantities, that works exceptionally well, and we do offer them for sale as used pins. Last season we probably sold over 7000 of these pins, and have never had a complaint. Just an FYI the hollow O27 pins are junked.
A word about the groves in the original pins. The purpose of those groves originally was to provide a place where in the manufacturing process there was a machine the pinched 2 notches in the tubes where the pins were installed. In our case we do not have the ability to do that, so our thought was, why waste the contact area of the slots? Would rather have as much contact area as possible, so no slots.
While we will not be in full production for another month or so, we can provide many of or items now, tracks, tools, and pins. Switches, controllers and transformers will not be available till later in the season.
So to everyone please be safe! I know how tough it is, starting to climb the walls, but the alternatives do not appear to be a very good option!
Feel free to email or call us with any questions or concerns.
