Track questions

[BandOGuy]

Don't know where else this would belong, so it's here.
Starting track laying and asking for some comments/suggestions/experiences. I want to use Micro Engineering track: that I know. I've checked with two dealers who "will check and get back to me" regarding product availability. I've also looked at Fasttracks website and checked their videos. Their process doesn't seem any slower than using ME flex track (if such an animal exists). My quick math tells me that hand built turnouts using the FT products is actually less expensive than buying new turnouts. There's a learning curve involved, but time I've got.
Interested to see or read any experiences with either process. And, oh yes, thanks in advance for any posts or responses.

[ReadingBob]

I'll throw my 2 cents in even though my thoughts are probably worth less than half of that.     It's been a long time since I've laid any track but I really like hand laying the track.  I did it long before Fast Tracks and DCC was around.  I just used the templates include with the Campbell ties.  The cons to hand laid track are you really have to plan ahead.  It's not quite as easy to change your mind or make corrections to the route once things are down.  Unless you go way over board with details you won't things like tie plates between the rails and the ties.  Of course you'll want to use Homasote under the ties or something else (is there a decent substitute?) that you can push spikes into with relative ease.   The pro's however are you can pretty much replicate the prototype where needed and you aren't forced into planning using the design of standard turnouts, cross overs, etc. available from a manufacturer.  I have the supplies and I'm itching to lay some track myself I just don't have a plan yet.  One of these days.....  

[deemery]

Crusader Rail is THE place to get ME track.  http://www.crusaderrail.com  Great prices, great service, and good stockage.   They've increased their offerings in Code 70, including the unique yard turnout system.  My own layout is Code 70, mix of ME flextrack and turnouts and FastTracks turnouts.


Does anyone have a link to that video that shows the trick for curving ME track? 



dave

[GPdemayo]

BandO Guy,

I had some thoughts of hand laying track vs. purchasing everything pre-assembled in my old StL&D thread for the track and switches. It is on page 4 below your comments, use the link below.

http://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=55.45

[jbvb]

My HO standard gauge layout uses hand laid switches except in hidden track.  But after about a decade one commercial switch lost its point feed contacts.  So I replaced its points with the heel-thrown style I use in hand-laid switches and it's been fine ever since:

http://railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3878&whichpage=9

[Oldguy]

I use ME track along with their yard ladder turnouts.  In fact I use No 5 turnouts throughout my layout.  For bending the rail I have an ancient track soldering jig (similar to what Charlie Comstock uses here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ihrB9pEhg) that I use to make the curve, followed by ribbon rail radius tools. 

One way to bend it is shown by Tony Koester - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ihrB9pEhg