I can say that hand laying track ain’t for me. I like the asthetic values of hand laying, but I perfer flextrack or sectional track. What say you?
Handlaying track is very satisfying. Unfortunately, it takes longer and the latest flex track offerings have better spike & tie plate detail. OTH with hand laid you have real wood ties. I would encourage everyone who hasn’t done it to try a couple of feet. Personally, I plan to use mostly flex track, but hand lay some spurs. Making and handlaying your own turnouts is cheaper than buying commercial. However, it isn’t cheaper for the rest of the track if you use 4 spikes per tie.
Enjoy
Paul
If you cut your own ties from different types of wood, the stain will make each tie look rather unique but with an overerall correct appearance.
I have laid a small section with a curved turnout and was very satisfied with the results. I liked the fact the the turnout flowed with the track at both ends.
I agree with Ironrooster that it takes more time than flex track. At present I am of mixed minds as to my preference.
Personally, I love the look of handlaid track. [tup] If any of you have MR’s 2006 Great Model Railroad, on pgs. 49-57, John Peterson has some gorgeous handlaid track on his O-scale layout.
I would eventually like to try it myself one day. Fast Tracks (http://www.handlaidtrack.com/index.php) has a VERY nice set up and jigs for handlaying track and turnouts.
I don’t care if it takes longer. You can always build your temporary track work out of sectonal and flex-track, then start replacing the sidings first with the handlaid track. That way you can still run trains without having to take your layout out of commission. Gradually replace small sections of track at a time until you finally replace all the track.
Tom
Tried handlaying…worked great until I hit a turnout. I could never quite machine the points right. Now I prefer the speed of flex track.
Nick
I have hand laid a grand total of about two feet of track. It was great fun and there was quite a buzz when I rolled a car on it and it didn’t derail! My modeling time is very limited right now, so I haven’t hand laid any track recently. I’m trying to get my work schedules in better order so I have more hobby time. I’d like to hand lay some main line and build a few turnouts just for the learning experience. If a person can become adept at hand laying turnouts I think it would be a great source of pride and satisfaction. (I made those “switches” myself, why?)
You might try using “stub” turnouts. That would avoid having to machine the points. “Stub” turnouts were sometimes used in heavy snow areas until recent times.
Have fun
The Old Dog thinks that the turnouts (and maybe crossings) may be the key point. When using commerial track, one must “buy off the rack”, one is limited to what is available. When handlaying track, one can create any configuration one desires.
Have fun
I handlay, but cheat a bit when it comes to the turnouts. I use BK Enterprises (formerly Arvid Anderson, and probably something else now) kits, which consist of frog and points all put together. All I have to add are the outside stock rails and notch them where the points hit. Some of these are 30 years old and going strong. Before that I built a small shelf layout with stub switches.
After building 3 layouts with handlaid track, the only advantage I see to flex and other off the shelf stuff is that the configuration is easily changed… I still prefer doing it myself as I’m not limited to what some manufacturer decides to offer (or not)…
Jeff