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A different way to hand lay track
I have seen the threads about using ME flex track (expensive, but I would use it if I can get it cheap enough) as well as using Central Valley tie strips, which I plan on trying. I, however, started handlaying a small bit of track using individual tie plates from Proto 87 stores and ME ties using a Fast-Tracks tie jig. I don't know if you all are interested, but I will post photos if you are. It is coming along, slowly. I have always been a bit of a track laying fanatic, 
and this is only proving it to me. This technique may totally drive me stark-raving-mad, I am not sure. It does look pretty good, however. 
I am getting some Central Valley tie strips, so I plan on laying these side by side for a comparison. If anyone is interested, let me know. There is always the arguement, as cool as it looks, is it worth the time it is going to take ... I'm not sure, but you can always visit me in the mental hospital to ask me.
Jim L
Jim,
We are always interested in seeing new things and new pictures of hobby related stuff. I would be interested in seeing the photos.
Regards,
blue
Not staff but here everyday all the same.
Model Railroading in HO Scale
Jim, I am and always will be feeling your future pain...VBG
Didn't Spock say that to Kirk at one point?
I, for one, am most certainly curious to see your work. Please post pictures. I would imagine though if you would do that for a huge layout, when finished, or maybe before, you might very well have to let us know which institution and room number you will be residing in...VBG again!
Les Halmos
MRH Advertising Account Manager
Modular Columnist
First I have to find out if my health insurance covers it.
If it is like most plans, probably not. They will probably have an "insanity" clause in there somewhere.
Here are photos, but very bad ones. They were taken with my iPhone and it doesn't do Macro, and you need to get really close to see this stuff.
Here are the actual tieplates.
Well at least that photo is not awful!
Jim
personally I would only do that much detail in areas that can be closely viewed by visitors. Every where else I would just use ready made ME track. Another thing I model pre 1950 narrow gauge and they didn't use tie plates on the Rio Grande Southern or the D&RGW so When I hand lay I am able to just spike the tracks to the ties. Your track looks pretty good you need to stand back a little with the camera to focus the picture and we'll be able to see your work much Clearer but even up too close it looks good. Like you if I had to do that much detail to the 2500 feet of planed railroad I'm building I would also be in the funny farm setting next to you.
Dan
NARROW gauge MINDED
AND PROUD OF IT
That's a good point Dan and what I was planning to do. When I get my order of CV tiestrips in, I will lay them next to these for comparison. Shoot, If I do much more than this one 3 foot section I don't know how well I'll be doing. It looks good, but is taking forever. I enjoy it, but I want to run trains. This particular track is the first thing anyone will see, so it kind of makes sense to do this, kinda ...
This is the sheet of tie plates. I really was looking for an inexpensive (relatively) way to get tie plates for a detail to pile up and spread around a yard and the right of way. Unfortunately, most of them have that hole in them for alignment.
This is just to show a comparison, that is a drywall screw to the right of the tieplates.
This picture isn't the greatest, but it is better than the first post.
I will post more when I have something to show.
Jim
Jim that looks great, I bought Andy's kits for #8 turnouts and when I finish my Turntable article I will assemble a few to see how it goes.
Keep up the good work.
Les Halmos
MRH Advertising Account Manager
Modular Columnist
Jim:
You're gonna love the CV ties. Here's a closeup of their turnout ties:
Gorgeous tie plate and spikehead detail, and the rail slots make it so the rails just drop in place, in perfect gauge!
I just replace a few of the plastic ties with printed circuit ties where I've filed the ties to leave only the copper foil at the location of the tie plates (yes, I'm that anal). Then when I solder down the rails, once everything is painted the PC ties disappear and the rail is held in place *forever* at the correct gauge.
Here's a picture:
I go back with a dremel superfine-milling tip (like what your dentist uses on your teeth) and smooth out the solder joints before I paint the track. Here's what a finished turnout looks like:
If you look really carefully you can see the PC ties, but you have to really look to find them.
Joe Fugate
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine
you need to put out a video and call it "Joes Railroad Tools, detail tips & Techniques" with all the little things you do and how you do them. with pictures of the tools and techniques you use to build track, hand thrown switches, connecting 1156 bulbs and single throw on off switches for circuit safety. just a whole video on the little things you do and the ways and whys you do what you do to have the models come out so well. Also make a complete list of the tools you use from scotch tape to hack saws and beyond
Dan
NARROW gauge MINDED
AND PROUD OF IT
It would be a great video and I would pre-order a copy...but also lots of good articles in there... ;o)
Regards,
blue
Not staff but here everyday all the same.
Model Railroading in HO Scale
After talking with the owners of Central Valley in Anaheim in July 2008, I decided to use their switch tie castings to fabricate my switches for less than the cost of the Fast Tracks jigs, but I never thought of using the circuit board ties in strategic locations to keep it gauged. I've read of your method here, but the pic really helps to visualize the process.