This has been a great exchange (and I did a Search through the Forum archives), got me really thinking about the options, my core desires and I've re, re re-read a few books re O scale track choices and (more) Realistic Hi Rail layout building. Like my other lifetime hobby amateur astronomy (big telescope in my own observatory) everything is compromise and getting in touch with the real me.
I have decided to go with the Gargraves Flex/Ross switches and sectional track systems. My decision is based on:
- After years of unproductive frustration in smaller scales I want to have fun, Keep It Simple Stupid for my back bedroom retirement bucket-list smallish layout;
- Don't want to get bitten again by the perfectionist "scale bug" (but it DOES look great) that hampered me for too many years...in fact I'm running like **** from this ;
- Don't need a system with a steeper learning curve; I want more straightforward from the start;
- I want simple operations and manual hands-on turnouts (i.e. Caboose Industries throws)...I love this from Ross
- Railroads = steel rails spiked on wood ties and the GG/Ross track samples I first saw in the LHS had that WOW "hit me with a hammer" reaction...very railroady
- I've never been one that leans toward latest-and-greatest; I'm very old school, "classic" minded and place more in value and bang-for-the-buck
- I'm a whiz at scenery and confident I can make my stuff look as superb as the ScaleTrax in the Black Diamond Railroad DVDs I own
- Craftsman made (vs mass produced) in the USA has a special attraction to support the local business. Same with my telescope...research, experience with other products and introspection led me to a "classic' (even old-time) straightforward but renowned, high quality design hand-made my a specialist Master Optician in his small shop (one of the last remaining in N. America) in nearby Pennsylvania. The relationships, friendships and benefits from this decision have been too numerous to count, and my pathway to determine the system to achieve it bear remarkable parallels.
Thanks everyone. During Hurricane Sandy we're moving furniture out of the back bedroom to make room for benchwork; I'll post updates as this project develops.
Pat Kelly