Since I am currently building the turnouts for my Shops engine terminal, I have my inventory of various spikes laid out, so I took some measurements with my calipers:
>Monon mainline spike heads vary, but are 1 1/4” - 1 1/2” wide and 1 1/2” - 1 >3/4” deep (I have a bunch that I’ve collected over the years); >Tomalco flex track spike heads scale out to 2 scale inches wide and 2 “ deep. >Shinohara heads are just slightly larger; >Proto 87 “150% HO” spike heads are 1/2” wide and 3” deep; >Micro Engineering “Micro Spikes” are 1 1/2” wide and 3” deep; >Micro Engineering “Chisel Tip” are 2 1/2” wide and 4 1/2” deep; >Walthers “Code 70” are 3” wide and 6” deep; >Micro Mark “Small Spikes” are 3” wide and 8” deep. In my opinion, the “Micro Spikes” look the best, even though they are tedious to drive and don’t hold the track as well as the others. Another shortcoming they have is that the shape of their head is rounded, but this is not noticeable once the rail is installed, painted and weathered. I also choose to use flex track as much as possible, as I think it looks more realistic. Attached is a pic of a turnout under construction, showing some “Micro Spikes”, some old Micro Engineering “Small” spikes, and some Tomalco track in the background. Your opinions may vary. Ha! Roger Nulton
