Code 148 rail is about the equivalent of Code 100 in HO and in my opinion, looks much better "in person" than it does in photos. On the plus side, it can accommodate both scale and hi-rail wheels. With closed frog switches, it can be ideal for display layouts, etc.
Years ago, I tested some AM switches for S Gaugian, and while scale wheels would "bump" through the frogs, they would negotiate them without derailing. I, too, have gone through these periods of believing SHABBONA RR is "dated", in view of some of the great stuff showing up today, but I decided that somewhere along the line I had to quit trying to keep up with the latest and greatest if I was ever going to build an operating layout, which was my goal when I began to "drain the swamp", so to speak. I think some S modelers make the mistake of trying to duplicate in S what is possible in HO, etc. Even though some are able to accomplish that, it isn't going to happen for most of us, and assuming a Sitting Bull stance with pipe dream smoke rings surrounding our heads until it does won't get the trains running any sooner. I use Code 100 rail, and while my converted Atlas switches and AF rolling stock conversions may not look the greatest, they work, and the trains stay on the track. I guess that's an accomplishment in itself. Now if I could just get a little further along with the scenery! Bob Nicholson __________________________________________ --- In [email protected], "ctxmf74" <ctxm@...> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], "bcgsteam" <bcgsteam@> wrote: > > when I started my current layout in 1997, I was using >Consolidations >that > > I had built from AF 0-8-0s > > So when I started the layout, I selected American Models track...the >best > > looking flex track and turnouts available at the time that would > > >accommodate the AF flanges on my Consolidations. By the time SHS came > > >out with their fantastic Consolidations, my track was 100% laid and so >it > > wasn't a matter of converting wheels on rolling stock, it was a >matter of > > not wanting to relay all my track! > > Hi Brooks, It's hard for those of us new to S scale to comprehend the > effort you guys had to put into building a layout in the days before SHS and > American models. Old O scale guys told me similar tales about their problems > switching from outside 3rd rail to insulated two rail back in the day, but O > got that all worked out before I started modeling in the 50's. It must have > taken a lot of dedication to stick with S when there was little scale stuff > available or even in the pipeline. We complain about not being able to get > specific cars or locos but at least nowdays we have a nice supply of > flextrack and many scale locos to choose from. > Building long term layouts has it's pitfalls in all scales, things like > better track , better scenic methods, DCC, sound, etc. keep popping up but > S has been particularly slow to get to the point where these changes are only > cosmetic and don't affect running choices. Hopefully in my lifetime S will > become a flourishing scale that has more in common with HO scale than with > old American flyer. > Regards, DaveBranum > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
