Todo List

Ok...  things I need to decide:


TRACK
I've got two options: hand laid -OR- Micro Engineering On30 flex track.  If I go with hand laid it will take a whole lot longer and probably cost slightly more but I should be able to stain and texture the ties the color I want instead of going with that very dark brown plastic on the flex track.  Also, since I'm planning on at least one wharf and some other over-water areas I'll likely end up having to hand lay those anyways.  The downside is that I've done hand laid track before (code 55, HOn30, see video) and while I really didn't find it all that difficult it was a bit awkward.  Perhaps it's my lack of experience that makes this feel like less of an option.

When it comes to hand laying there's also the question of PCB soldering or spiking.  The consensus seems to be PCB keeps the gauge much better than spiking.  I just don't care of it as much.

And then there's flextrack, the old model railroading staple.  It's not entirely expensive and easy and fast to install.  But you're stuck with those darn ugly plastic ties.


TURNOUTS
Turnouts have the unfortunate side effect of being rather expensive no matter which way you roll.  I've previously done some price comparison shopping for turnouts.  Hand laying them, even with the pricey FastTracks system, turns out to be much cheaper in the long run.  It's just the pain of dropping $300 for tooling up front that makes it hard.


TURNOUT CONTROL
I mentioned this a bit earlier today.  There are fancier options, like the tortoise slow motion switch machine but since I'm planning on going R/C these don't really make any sense.  There are two options:  Use an under-the-table mechanism to throw turnouts with a fascia-mounted push/pull system.  Something like the Bullfrog or Blue Point Switch Machine.  I actually have an assembled Bullfrog and the control rods and it's pretty decent.  The downside to these is the additional cost and the additional maintenance and installation of having a hole under the turnout.

Then there is above-the-table style, of which I favor the harp switch stand.  The downside to the above-the-table options is that it means you or your operators are reaching into the scene a lot more.  It's potential for things to get knocked or broken and is a design consideration in that you must leave enough space around the throw for people to actually operate it.

Of all the things I need to decide I think this one I'm a bit more resolved on.  It makes sense to use the harp switch stands for actual operation when the turnout is close to the layout edge.  The push/pull systems can be used either where space is tight and operation of the harp isn't feasible or where the turnout is towards the back of the shelf and reaching would be annoying and potential damaging to structures or scenery.


TRAFFIC
And lastly, here's one I didn't expect to be needing to decide on:  What traffic will this railroad include?  Both the Nantucket and MVRR were almost entirely passenger lines.  Do I want to go with 100% passenger traffic or mix some freight in?  And if yes on the freight, then what freight?  There were some industries on the islands, aquaculture, agriculture, and some light manufacturing.  The latter two needed constant import from ships to continue operation so perhaps freight delivery is more adequate.  In any case I need to think on this some more.