Tinman

My understanding is the TinMan is a seasonal outfit with original postwar track. Unless you are dead-set on using their restored track, you could buy brand new tubular for the same price or less. I would just recommend securing it down (or don't put it together and take it apart. Wouldn't want it working loose from too much assembly/disassembly)

I agree with you thinking. Tubular track is the best. Easy to work with. Easy to cut. Can be adapted to anything. I use it on my home layout with Ross switches/crossovers.

Check out Menards web site. They are selling brand new Tin plate track for a very good price.

I had thought of Menard's, but a few previous posts complained a bit about its "fit-and -finish" (eg. loose pins, missing or inadequate insulating tabs, rough surface). I just bought some re-conditioned 022 switches from Tinman as was very pleased. He also sent me a sample of a piece of his track. It looked better than a new piece, because he had painted it and conditioned it to prevent rust. He also adds power taps to every 10th piece free. At $1.25 for straight and $5.00 for each 072 curve, including tax and shipping, it seems like a great deal. Am I wrong?

So, I just did a cost comparison with Menard's. In order to get the best price I would have to order a case (24) of straight and a case of curved track. The total price would be $109 including shipping and the "processing fee." Of course I would end up with 10 extra pieces of curved and 4 extra of straight with this purchase. So, Tinman costs more (about $13) and I get re-conditioned track and fewer pieces. But his track might just be better in the ways I described in my original post. I'm torn. But it doesn't seem as though I ca go wrong in either case.