Another track question

[Boonter]

Ah yes, termanology !!! I think I've got it straight about 'scal' and 'gauge' but in the litle I've been able to read so far another one has cropped up several times.

What, exactly, is ment by "Hi-Rail" ??

I was able to get my test track in operation today...bought a minimum of GarGraves 32" curves and a couple of long straight track. WONDERFUL !!!

[fjerome]

hi-rail is an expression meant to denote the degree of modeling. a hi-rail layout would have great scenery, scale equipment and no operating accessories...it would model an actual operation as closely as possible.

toy-rail or toy train might well have tubular track, operating accessories, be populated with people that may or may not be scale, etc.

i think there are degrees in between, but i have had enough single barrel tonight to dampen the recollection process. :)

[Chris F]

Adding to Forrest's comments, the term Hi-Rail refers specifically to O-gauge three-rail layouts, since most two-rail layouts usually have detailed scenery and scale equipment (one exception is American Flyer S-Gauge).

The last two issues of CTT have four examples of the various degrees between toy trains and HI-Rail:

May 2004
pp. 46-49. Prewar (before 1942) toy train layout with indoor/outdoor carpeting and lots of non-scale operating accessories.
pp.58-65. Modern layout with lots of scenery, some scale and some smaller (Plasticville) buildings, and some operating accessories blended in with scenery.

March 2004
pp. 60-66 Hi-Rail layout with lots of scenery and scratchbuilt structures (not from kits).
pp. 72-77. Part 4 of CTT's series on building a 4 x 8 toy train layout. With a lot of O-27 track in a relatively small area, this layout wouldn't be considered Hi-Rail, but the scenery elements are definitely a step beyond carpeting.

One final note - some in the hobby seem to think Hi-Rail layouts are "better" than toy train layouts. For them, that may be true. The majority in the hobby like all types of layouts and decide for themselves what they like best. Of the four layouts mentioned above, I like the one that blends traditional Lionel accessories into the scenery. I hope to be able to do half as well as the author.[:)]