Laying track to Proto87 standards is fine - for closeup photography and museum dioramas. For a lot of track on a layout built to rather mediocre visual standards and driven by operation...
As for joint bars, they're one of the best arguments for continuous welded rail.
(I get away with simulating joints with two almost-touching ties every 16 or 20 scale meters. The CWR is there, but not yet moved into place. It's scheduled for installation the first weekend in October, 1964.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Thanks for your kind words, Frank. While track certainly is an important part of our layouts, I don't have time to worry about it too much, either, as long as it functions properly. A friend gave me some of the CV tie strips and I liked it enough to buy some more. It's a little more work than putting down flex track, but it goes pretty quickly and looks decent. However, there are lots of folks on this Forum with good-looking track, and I'd guess that it runs the gamut from sectional all the way to handlaid. Neatness and a little weathering can go a long way to making good-looking track which performs well, whichever method one chooses.
Wayne
Wayne,
I agree.....and Yours looks great! But I would rather spend My time, detailing My little trucks, than detailing My trackwork! LOL. But that's just Me!
Take Care!
Frank
zstripeTake a look at this Youtube video and others...mainly to see if You have the patience to go through all that:.....
So, the video shows scale tieplate and spikes, but a giant rail joiner and nothing to keep the rails in gauge while fastening it in place? The glue for the tieplate seemed a little too generous (there are better ways of doing that) and I don't think it would be needed if track gauges were in use.While I do admire the work of the Proto87 modellers, I think that Central Valley tie strips will give a better looking result without all the hassle...
I'd guess that once this track is weathered, the detail will stand out even better.
zstripe BMMECNYC What is the best way to attach Joint bars to code 83 rail? Should Tie plates be glued to ties? Has anyone attempted to use proto87 spikes (do they hold rail well, or do I need ME spikes? Take a look at this Youtube video and others...mainly to see if You have the patience to go through all that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzdZjMsDRQ Take Care! Frank
BMMECNYC What is the best way to attach Joint bars to code 83 rail? Should Tie plates be glued to ties? Has anyone attempted to use proto87 spikes (do they hold rail well, or do I need ME spikes?
What is the best way to attach Joint bars to code 83 rail? Should Tie plates be glued to ties? Has anyone attempted to use proto87 spikes (do they hold rail well, or do I need ME spikes?
Take a look at this Youtube video and others...mainly to see if You have the patience to go through all that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzdZjMsDRQ
I started trying to put down the tie plates. My patience wore thin. Ive decided to use ME spikes and Details west brass tie plates...good enough. Model railroading should be fun. There is a limit. Besides Im modeling this:
http://www.monon.monon.org/pixs9/02-04Elliston3Crossing.jpg
The Monon track was a cheaply built widened narrow guage line, and I dont think tie plates will be missed.