Can I hand lay a turnout here? (photo)

[DaveWonders]

Me three.

[pastoolio]

Ok, you guys convinced me, but I'm still a little nervous (intimidated) by it. I'm not sure if my skills are good enough yet.

Jamie, since you are using concrete ties for your main line, obviously you'll have to use wood ties for your turnouts (weather pre fab or hand laid), but does the prototype you are modeling have any concrete tie turnouts on it?

-Mike

[GaryHinshaw]

Mike:

I'd like to see a writeup of your techniques too, with an emphasis on how you lay out the routes to achieve that flowing look.

Thank in advance,
Gary

[Gats]

Jamie, the siding and house track worked out great! Congrats. It does make more sense now the main is laid as well.

Hey, Mike, don't be shy...

[CSXDixieLine]

Originally Posted by pastoolio

... Jamie, since you are using concrete ties for your main line, obviously you'll have to use wood ties for your turnouts (weather pre fab or hand laid), but does the prototype you are modeling have any concrete tie turnouts on it?

-Mike

All of the turnouts are plain old wood ties, as are the ties at any grade crossings. However, I think if I actually try to model the one or two wood ties actually visible on either side of a grade crossing, I may be branded a rivet counter

There is still a chance that I may just go 100% Atlas Code 55 (wood tie) if I do not find the Micro Engineering track to my liking. It seems really fussy to work with so far, but others have told me it is well worth the effort so it is staying in my plans for now. Another factor in this decision will be how effectively I can weather these two very different tracks and achieve similar results. Still a while to go before I get to that crossroads. Maybe my next mockup will include some of the ME track. Jamie