Kato Unitrack VS Handlayed CD40

[Puddington]

Let's stick to modeling an leave the other stuff for .... the other place.

[inkaneer]

What are you trying to say here? That because he only did a small section in preparation for a larger layout is not a valid thing to do?

Or are you just trying to troll here because the thread on the Atlas forum, where everyone seemed to take seeing stellar work as an affront to their own efforts, got shut down?

Do you deny there is a difference in handlaying a piece of rail versus an entire layout?  Let me spell it out for you.  There are many facets to this hobby.  Some people like to see super detailed everything to those who just like to see trains go round and round.   Nothing wrong with any of that just as there is nothing wrong with Unitrack just as there is nothing wrong with handlaid code 40 or Code 80.  So let's not disparage one aspect of this hobby just because it does not agree with one's idea of how things should be done.   Other people have other ideas.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Do you deny there is a difference in handlaying a piece of rail versus an entire layout?  Let me spell it out for you.  There are many facets to this hobby.  Some people like to see super detailed everything to those who just like to see trains go round and round.   Nothing wrong with any of that just as there is nothing wrong with Unitrack just as there is nothing wrong with handlaid code 40 or Code 80.  So let's not disparage one aspect of this hobby just because it does not agree with one's idea of how things should be done.   Other people have other ideas.

Let me explain it to you. There was no disparaging of people's own decisions when it comes to the time and effort vs visual effect tradeoff.

What they were disparaging, if anything, was just how unprototypical Unitrack looks when you see it next to something that comes a lot closer to replicating the real thing.

It's like looking at one of those Readers Digest SP GP35s next to a BLMAicized Atlas model. Yes, the modified Atlas model still has some issues (like hood width), that can be compared to the hand laid track (ie, lack of tie plates).

If you decided that having 50 of the Readers Digest geep is fine for you, nobody here would really care, but they would care if you start claiming that it's a better model of the real thing, especially when you jump forums to continue taking shots at them for pointing this fact out.

[inkaneer]

It's called a "test." To see how certain basic techniques work, and to refine those techniques as needed, before possibly making layout-sized mistakes.

As to the rest of your post, I'll refrain from remarking lest John lock down a thread that, up to this point, has been reasonably civil.

What's to test?  He said He had handlayed track before.  His exact words were:

"I can, however, tell you that I have handlayed before and have done so on many layouts.  I am also an active member of my local HO FreeMo group."

As far as technique goes, hand laying in HO is not that much different than in N.  All that is different is the scale.  

Then he posted this:

"I hand-lay Code 40 rail. Why? Because I can. I took the time to learn the skill-sets required to build turnouts and lay track. I am very good at it and can build a #4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,or 12 turnout at will (curved or not...whatever is required)...why? Because I can. I guess that makes me someone who is wasting their time because weathered code 80 rail is supposed to full-fill my N scale track needs? BAH! Why cant this be part of the hobby as well? It takes time to do this, but this is a hobby.


And, NO, your store-bought, Code-whatever track stuff will never, ever out perform what I am building. Everything you can buy is OUT OF GAUGE. There is NO EXCEPTION.  
Why do I bother to kitbash N scale steamers to represent a prototype that has never been made or attempted in N scale before? Because I am a N scale Snob, I guess. It takes time to do this, but this is a hobby."

Can we say ATTITUDE????

Look the guy got trashed on the A forum because of his snobbish attitude.  But wait.  On a different thread on the A forum look what the same guy posted:

" There are 2 companies that make CP vans; Athabasca and Kaslo.

That being said, it is near impossible to actually find them. I have been looking for the Kaslo resin kits for a few years now to no avail (contacting Central Hobbies every 2 months).

I have no need for the Athabasca cabooses because they are too late for my era.

There is a huge chasm in N scale and that hole is where Canadian specific items should be. I for one would like to see someone come out with etched-metal kits for tenders (CP/CN). Is that asking too much?"

Now did anyone trash the guy because he didn't photo etch his own tenders?  Now can anyone see the disparity in all of this?

[Hyperion]

Now can anyone see the disparity in all of this?

Nope.

Because, for the life of me, I can't see where he "trashed" Unitrak (or whatever your choice of alternate rail).  And he posted that after some 5 pages of vitriolic nonsense from the ignorant masses pissed off that someone dained to suggest that there may be a superior option to their track of choice.

He said his looks better.  It does.  There is absolutely no disputing that.  He said his operates better -- and it absolutely will (provided it's done correctly).  You can say "Well, that takes a lot of time that I'd rather spend doing (fillintheblank)", and that'd be very true.  But, like he mentioned, he finds it as rewarding as any other part of the hobby and he does it because he can.

Maybe he can't scratchbuild a tender.  Maybe he decided it's not worth the time because he's spending it where it does think it's worth it -- on handlaying track.  But one thing's for sure -- I guaran-fricking-tee you that if someone did post up a scratchbuilt tender, maybe even alongside the incorrect stock tender, he wouldn't bemoan them of their ability,  he wouldn't accuse them of being nothing more than an arrogant braggart, and he wouldn't accuse them of "wasting their time" modeling what they chose to model accurately simply because, in his opinion, the stock tender is "good enough".

[davidmbedard]

Actually, I am in the process of getting the material together to do some photo-etching.  I am sure there will be a learning curve, but the ability to plan and etch at will will open up many possibilities to me.   I have a few tenders to get right as they are signature to the CPR.

I have ignored inkaneer.  That will keep my blood pressure in check.

David B

[DKS]

Can we say ATTITUDE????

Can we say pointless posts?

Pointless posts. There, I said it.

I am also now ignoring inkaneer.

[davefoxx]

I agree that the ties are too wide.  Besides Fasttracks (supplied by Aspen models), does anyone know of another N scale wood tie supplier?

David M. Bedard (man, there's just too many Davids or Daves in here),

First off, I spent most of the day in Court today, so I'm at least three pages behind on this thread.  So, if my post is redundant or moot, I apologize in advance.  However, coincidentally, I received my order from Fast Tracks today, and the N scale wood ties (standard and turnout ties) that were enclosed came from Mt. Albert Scale Lumber Co.  Here's their website: http://www.mtalbert.com/

That said, I've now got to find the time to begin my first real foray into handlaying N scale track.  I've watched the videos on the Fast Tracks site.  I think, with practice, I can do that.  So, I'll have fun with it.  I'll just be sure not to post pics on the A board, lest I'll get flamed for installing code 40 track on my layout.   Then again, that sounds tempting.  ;D

Hope this helps,
DFF (a/k/a Dave #273)

[davidmbedard]

These are the Daves I know.........

Are you jigging the turnouts or free-handing?  If you havent built one before, I would be happy to offer some advice and order of assembly if you would like.  It will save you some headaches.

David B

[SebastianLee]

David M. Bedard (man, there's just too many Davids or Daves in here),

Hope this helps,
DFF (a/k/a Dave #273)

It's like the Dred Pirate Roberts Franchise  (too lazy to link the bumper sticker)

[davefoxx]

I bought a Fast Tracks #8 curved turnout jig.  It's friggin' sweet!  I laid out my layout to use at least seven of these turnouts (rights and lefts, so that will help mitigate some of the cost when spread over that number of turnouts.  I'm hopeful that after that experience, I will be able to freehand a couple of #5 turnouts that I also need.  If I get into trouble, I'll let you know.  Thanks for the offer.

Dave Foxx

[davefoxx]

It's like the Dred Pirate Roberts Franchise  (too lazy to link the bumper sticker)

I'm reminded of the movie, Heathers.  ;D

[Dave V]

You guys just wish you were a Dave... ;D

[Ryan87]

What's to test ....disparity in all of this?

TL;DR

[wm3798]

I gotta be Lee!  (as sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.)