Can tubular old school track look "better"

Rod,

I think all of our wives say that! 

Info on Gargraves ties, from Gartner The Train Doctor, their sales arm:

Only Gargraves wood ties are sold separately and they are made from Bass wood.

1. The term for height between tie top and rail top is known as "the code"

2. Too short a code combined with the essentially raised tie top using the sunken method &GG ties might cause wheel flange bumping against the ties. Check the code comparison, and fyi not all flanges are the same, so check again with something else.

3. Cut the new slot big. Wood expands with heat and moisture.

4. Dip those newly cut ties in sealer or paint. You've exposed unsealed wood, and they will absorb more moisture now, lessening life due to exposure outside.(Argueable to leave an end unsealed for "breathing". This fact may not apply to something so small.??.)

5. GG did sell ties in the past at least. I remember a bag on Gramps bench as we laid new GG track on the layout in the 70s. I think Atlas did too, and a bag of Ross blonde ties was next to the GG's.

6. It does look real good. But for the effort? I'd cut to a notch,seal, glue and be done much faster A few ties split here and there used inside a house over time as is, and the notching is how we did repairs. (very few, like 4 on 18x30 with 4 lines.)

I think I want Adriatic to come build my RR.  You would take smoke pellets, right? 

Jim Sutter; love the pics of your layout. Really nice!

Rod

Thanks, but there are folks here with far more experience really. I know a little about a lot. On trains, I was born into a model train family on one side and industrial artisan on the other, and had I been more driven, well... no telling. But where else do you think I picked up on much of it? Right here.

Your doing something I had deeply considered myself before a reinjury. (Minus the batteries, I hate running low and charging.  Though I guess new tech has greatly improveded that too)

Anyhow, I will expect photos

Rod Stewart,

Thank you Mr. Stewart.

Adriatic,

You got it.  I intend to document in writing and photos as much as is not too inconvenient.

I agree, this place is a great resource with a lot of helpful people.