Let's see if I got this right. You are going to remove the third rail from 3 rail track to make 2 rail track. Is that it? Why not buy 2 rail track to begin with and go from there?
Ed
Simple really,
1.) Space considerations. I have only an 8 foot x 10 foot space with which to work. To lay down two rail scale track, would be unfeasible with the width of the curves I'd have to lay to get scale equipment to run.
2.) A heavy investment into 3 rail equipment. I had always planned to build a 3 rail layout in that room.
3.) A dislike of plastic ties and roadbed. I am attracted to the fine modelling aspect tremendously, and I knew from the start that I wanted Ross switches and track, it was the most reliable and bulletproof combination, and had real wood ties
4.) So I started experimenting with unspiking the ross track, sanding it down, graining and distressing the the wood, staining it, and then laying down tie plates to simulate the real world and distract from the third rail. I've posted a pic below of an early piece. It doesn't look bad at all. But then I was like what if I remove the center rail and it was all over. (I've posted that pic as well.)
5.) Eventually will I move to 2 rail and laying my own track? Probably but not anytime within the next few years. Not until I can buy a house and have the room for my basement empire. Until then I will make do with what I have and experiment and learn.
