Handlaying vs. Prefrab

As my birthday and Christmas approached, I decided to place a few items on my list for the hoped for layout construction next summer (should our home finally sell). I decided to do some cost calculations to compare my options.

With the South Park, this was never an option. Precision Scale's flex track, if it is obtainable, is expensive. The only question for me was whether to use the aesthetically pleasing Code 70 rail or the more durable Code 83. I've read enough/heard enough frustration from other modelers about Code 70 in On3 (and Code 55 in HOn3) to be cautious about them. Regardless, I had no plans to run the heavy Rio Grande 2-8-2s which seemed to be the primary destroyers of small rail.

But, the Oahu Railway had very heavy rail. With 80-90lb rail, Code 100 is actually a little on the light side! I'll definitely use this on the double track main and probably beyond. I'll use Code 83 and maybe some Code 70 for the yards, docks, and sidings.

So, what is the best choice, San Juan Car Co's flex track or hand laying? By my calculations, SJCC track is $1.83 per foot while my preferred method of handlaying is $3.60-$3.80. Ouch. But, the Oahu Railway used 7' and longer ties...while the SJCC track has only 6' ties. Additionally, it has tie plates and only spikes on every third tie (if I'm reading their descriptions correctly). Therefore, in order to make an apples-to-apples comparison, I need to reduce the cost of spikes on my handlaying...and while that dropped the cost to around $2.50 per foot, it still wasn't too competitive with SJCC flex track when I consider the amount of track I intend to lay. But the clincher is that the 6' ties are shorter than anything that was used on the Oahu Railway. For the empire of my dreams, it will make a difference greater than $1000, but the hit will be spread out over more than a decade and I don't want to lower the prototypical accuracy of my track to purchase one or two additional brass locomotives.

My solution is to use Micro Engineering Code 100 rail on 7' Mt. Albert ties with either ME or Proto:87 oversize spikes for the mainline. I'll use SJCC flex track for staging and helixes(my top track plan has two). My secondary lines will use smaller rail both for appearance and cost. In some places, I'll substitute SG ties as the OR&L used them. I won't lay Code 70 on any sidings that will be likely to be visited by the 2-8-2s (sisters to the K-28s) or, someday, the big shays (sisters to WSL #8 & #9). Someday, I'll have at least a DSP&P diorama with Code 70 rail.

Previously, I loved the look of ME Micro spikes, but I didn't like their blunt ends. I'd rather pay 50% more and get the pointed end spikes from the Proto:87 store. I'll probably use the longer variety every few ties and fill in the short ones on every tie in between.

For detailing, I'll use Grandt Line fishplates with notches in the tops of the rail every 33' or 39' scale. I'm currently in the process of figuring out the rail length from photos. Logic says that they shouldn't be more than 29' or 33' (the OR&L's flatcars were 30' and 34').

For projects, I'm again working on the Montezuma in 1:20.3 scale for my son. With weight added, she run's like a champ and now has both a spiffy diamond stack and a sharp cab. I also re-wired an old, battery powered 1988 Bachmann Big Hauler for track power and we picked up a G scale "Percy & Troublesome Trucks" trainset for Christmas this year.

I hope to resume working on my OR&L #36 bash after Christmas as well as decal artwork for my passenger cars. After #36 is in service, I'll either build #35 or an 0-6-0...#9 or #12. Artwork for locomotive decals will be next on my list as well.