@Arthur P. Bloom posted:"Maybe there's another argument for on-board battery power but this one isn't cutting it."
Does getting rid of the third rail, while running your collection of hi-rail equipment, interest you? There are some really impressive three-rail layouts presented here occasionally. I'm sure some of us have said to ourselves "Wow, that would be even better without the third rail."
Yup! code 148 rail will accommodate , both scale and high rail flanges, and if you use closed frog turnouts there is no problem