Thank you for the responses everyone!
I'm thinking I'll go with Micro-Engineering Code 70 with the companies #6 turnouts, I only have a few places to switch and plan a couple crossovers.
Alvie
I like the Central Valley tie strips, and put them down on the cork roadbed using gelled contact cement for both the ties and the rails. I did use one of their switch kits, but most of the others were from Micro Engineering, Peco, and Shinohara. I used code 83 rail from Micro Engineering for the mainline (it was the only brand of rail that the local hobby shop had on-hand at the time, and also picked up some code 70 for a planned industrial track.
The only rail joiners they had in any quantity were for code 55 rail, so I used a cut-off disc in a motor tool to alter the rail ends so that the joiners would fit. This involved narrowing the width of the rail's base, but also removing material from the underside of the rail ends, too.
I've not had much success getting decent photos of those rail joiners, even under magnification, but were I building more track or a new layout, I'd definitely use the CV tie strips and the code 55 joiners.
Wayne
I've used several Central Valley turnouts.
DSC03134 by wp8thsub, on Flickr
DSC03134
The #8 crossover above uses CVT turnout kits. The adjacent #6 turnout is from Micro Engineering.
DSC03135 by wp8thsub, on Flickr
DSC03135
This #6 turnout is another CVT kit.
These can be assembled into turnouts that look good and operate reliably, but I don't recommend building them entirely per the instructions.
Central Valley plain tie strips are easy to use. They make nice track regardless of whether you decide to use CVT turnouts or another brand like Micro Engineering that has the same tie thickness.
Rob Spangler
If you look at the Central Valley website, their tie strips are designed to use various Code height rails from Micro Engineering. You have to glue the rails to the Central Valley ties. I tried this on one of their turnout kits but found it much easier to build my turnouts FastTracks style. Since Micro Engineering does sell completed track and turnouts, you might look into using their products.
Hornblower
Hi all,
For my diorama, I'm planning on using a few switches and Code 70 flex track. Much as I like the idea of using Code55 for spurs, to like my paper company, team track and other places, I'm thinking, I'll stick with one size of track as it will not need a lot and I'll just use weathering on the spur tracks. I'm thinking Central Valley turnouts as it seems to offer a bit more flexibility and I can put the tie strips down and put rail in place. I'd enjoy hearing people's favorite pointers and tips for Central Valley Code70 track. I haven't drawn a plan yet, or bought track, but it'll be like 3-4 spurs and I'd like a crossover. I'll draw a basic plan and share it at some point.