06-21-2014, 09:05 AM
Here's a slight digression: French track (non TGV routes) is closer to US track, with individual bolts driven directly into the ties -- from any distance, the bolts look no different from spikes:
In earlier years, about half the country used UK style bullhead rail on chairs, but I think this is almost all gone by this point.
My own view of German HO model track is that Tillig/Pilz and Roco are cleverly designed so that code 83 rail will still work with .045 inch NEM flanges. (US code 83 flex track will not work with NEM flanges.) Using flex track, you can have curves of any radius, so that the overall effect isn't bad at all. When I can pick up German or French model magazines (which are in the $12 range over here, so it's good they're hard to find), I'm impressed by what I see -- weathering and scenery are first rate and an inspiration -- nothing toylike at all.
In earlier years, about half the country used UK style bullhead rail on chairs, but I think this is almost all gone by this point.
My own view of German HO model track is that Tillig/Pilz and Roco are cleverly designed so that code 83 rail will still work with .045 inch NEM flanges. (US code 83 flex track will not work with NEM flanges.) Using flex track, you can have curves of any radius, so that the overall effect isn't bad at all. When I can pick up German or French model magazines (which are in the $12 range over here, so it's good they're hard to find), I'm impressed by what I see -- weathering and scenery are first rate and an inspiration -- nothing toylike at all.