There are places where I cut the plastic roadbed short, leaving gaps in it, but there’s no gap between the rail ends there. The expansion gaps for the rails are at the end of the straight section where a gap of a 16th of an inch was left. There are also gaps cut into the flyovers between tracks, they are only a 32nd of an inch wide. The layout is divided into 16 blocks, each block isolated from the other by gaps in the rails. This gives me complete block control and takes care of any expansion or contraction issues. I have one turnout left to install and three to wire. After that, on to the scenery.
On my own HOn3 layout, I’ve used a SOLDERED bus connection on every section of flex track (Shinohara, 1 meter long) and ALL track joiners are soldered. All track “floats” on W/Scenics N scale foam (track and foam are both contact cemented to each other & to solid splined roadbed) which takes care of the problem from contraction/expansion. Bob Whitten bobandbonnie@earthlink.net
But then I’ll have to get a cat, and from what I’ve heard, they’re the worst pet to have around a layout.
As far as cat hair is concerned, you’re right. Even that can be taken care of if you get an Abyssinian. They don’t shed. And a well trained cat won’t get on the layout at all. The only reason I got rid of my cat is because I became allergic to cats, especially long-hairs.