Model Railroading > About to begin laying track on the layout.

I received two packages today from the Proto:87 Stores (http://www.proto87.com) containing all the track components I need for my layout. This includes rail, Central Valley tie bases, frogs, points, detail parts, switch motors and some miscellaneous tools. I'm currently finishing up the carpentry on the removable staging yard after which I should be able to start track work.

If you want a little background I wrote about the previous construction phases, go here: http://www.milepost15.com/category/layout/

I'll post back here from time to time with my progress on the layout, but there will be almost daily photo's of this and other modeling projects at http://www.facebook.com/milepost15/ and longer (but less frequent) updates on the blog at http://www.milepost15.com

- Chris

---

Have fun with the CV and Proto 87 stuff. I didn't like it and went with hand laid Fast Tracks...

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have fun with the CV and Proto 87 stuff. I didn't
> like it and went with hand laid Fast Tracks...


Why did'nt you like the proto stuff?

Chris

Looking forward to your progress pictures. In my opinion, realistic track is a very important part of the overall effect. Can't see putting a highly detailed locomotive or car on crappy looking track.

Warren

warrenpweiss Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looking forward to your progress pictures. In my
> opinion, realistic track is a very important part
> of the overall effect. Can't see putting a highly
> detailed locomotive or car on crappy looking
> track.
>
> Warren

I could not agree more with this comment. A lot of good layouts/modelling are let down by their track work.

Malcolm
New Zealand.

Commercial track products carefully laid and weathered can still look quite good and not detract from detailed models. I imagine the proto track is a hobby unto itself, and certainly looks great up close.

Cheers, Jim Fitch

The Proto 87 stuff IMO is flimsy and the CV turnouts lack a sold frog. However, if you buy some cast "magnesium" frogs form Details West, they will fit right in and look and work great.

ChrisCampi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wabash2800 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Have fun with the CV and Proto 87 stuff. I
> didn't
> > like it and went with hand laid Fast Tracks...
>
>
> Why did'nt you like the proto stuff?
>
> Chris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/14 06:34 by wabash2800.

I looked at Fast Tracks and while it allows for a large number of turnout variations, the detail level is quite poor. I could see it being useful on a large layout where construction needs to happen quickly though.
Fast Tracks also isn't P:87 compatible, though I'm sure the turnouts could be modified to work with P:87 wheelsets.

Solid frogs are available from the Proto87 stores in P:87 and semi-scale versions. They're very nice when assembled and detailed.

- Chris
http://www.milepost15.com
http://www.facebook.com/milepost15

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Proto 87 stuff IMO is flimsy and the CV
> turnouts lack a sold frog. However, if you buy
> some cast "magnesium" frogs form Details West,
> they will fit right in and look and work great.
>
> ChrisCampi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > wabash2800 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Have fun with the CV and Proto 87 stuff. I
> > didn't
> > > like it and went with hand laid Fast
> Tracks...
> >
> >
> > Why did'nt you like the proto stuff?
> >
> > Chris

Chris, I'm very interested in the proto 87 trackwork and look forward to how this turns out. Should be lots of fun!

Chris

I have eight of the Proto 87 Stores switches on my layout and am very happy with them. All are thrown by either Tortoise switch machines or Mole switch machines also from Proto 87 Stores, they are smaller than a Tortoise and almost silent.

I hope the track components work well for you and I look forward to seeing your progress.

Andrew C

I believe the cast frogs from Proto 87 are actually from Details West.

I like detailed track too, but I came to conclusion that I can't built a large layout, detail and weather cars and locos, have a working signal system, sound, plus scratchbuild structures and write books at the same time. I like the Fast Track turnouts (built for me) as they look good after painted and are very functional. I do however, go to the trouble of using code 55, 70 and 83 track where applicable. And I use Atlas code 100 flex in helices with the rest of the flex as Micro Engineering brand. There are no oversize spike heads here.

I would love to see a functional Manganese crossing frog someday!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/14 19:54 by wabash2800.

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I believe the cast frogs from Proto 87 are
> actually from Details West.

As far as I can tell, the Proto:87 Stores frogs are all the 3 piece nickel-silver kits: http://www.proto87.com/product1903.html. That link is for the semi-scale one's, but the P:87 are the same only with tighter clearances. They're very well made and assembly is pretty straight forward.

- Chris