Well... y'all have given me a lot to think about.
Later in the year, I "may" pick up one of the more "premium" steam engines (love the Hudson's) for a look see, and perhaps an oval of track. You never know? (Perhaps it can share Christmas Tree duty with my mini-collection of PW 3-rail?)
This much I'm convinced of: One can have a very nice looking layout using AF-type equipment.
AmFlyer Tom's layout, and Carl Tuevson's (sp?) layout, and others have amply proven that to me. (I think I recall a "richbar" or some name like that having a nice S scale hi-rail layout, too?)
Anyway... this may just be a mental exercise on my part. Could be I can model HO to the grave?
But... if not, and I want to up size and simplify, then S hi-rail would be right there as an option alongside my similar idea of using Lionel PW and PW-type equipment for doing the same.
Anyway you slice it, having only two rails is a visual plus... but may be a bit of a detriment to me? (For some reason that center rail reminds I'm playing with trains, so I don't need to be so picky and counting rivets!)
Anyway... we shall see!
In the meantime I will continue to oogle you guy's layouts that are S hi-rail.
Andre