I have had a love/hate relationship with mine, which was set up for Code 70 rail originally, but was used on Code 83 and 100. I used it on my last layout with Code 70 rail (for Sn3) and sometimes it worked great and other times would kink the rail (which I don't think is a problem with Code 100). You must hold it perfectly level in relation to the track or else it will misfire. I think it works better on Code 100 than on Code 70. Also, there are areas of a turnout where you can't use it for clearance reasons. But it really speeds up spiking track, especially if you are spiking every tie. Some people swear by them and some swear at them, so it's best if you can try one yourself in a practice situation.
I'm hand laying the track on my current layout, but I'm not using the spiker. Between the dual gauge S/Sn3 and the Code 55 logging railroad track and all the special turnouts and crossing I need, hand laying the plain track is an easy intermission. It's said there are four stages of track laying in a model railroaders life: 1 - Snap-track 2 - Flextrack 3 - Handlaid 4 - Flextrack I guess I'm in stage 3, but it does give you a lot of flexibility. Dave Heine Easton, PA
