Rusty, one last question: If you were just starting a S scale layout today (not AF) what code rail would you choose?
My preference would be code 100 rail, which is what I have currently. But to be brutally honest, if I were to tear it down and start over I would probably go with AM's code 148 rail and go the HiRail route.
I have a bunch of AM & SHS stuff that is HiRail, plus some of the Lionel/Flyer Mikados and Pacific's.
As I've discovered looking at some of the layouts on the 3-rail side, given a proper environment, even the "bear claw" couplers begin to "disappear." Here's a couple on images of mine from 2001 when I used to modulate. The CHASM modules are HiRail on AM track. I apologize for the relatively poor quality, the old Sony Mavica just can't match today's cameras. All the equipment is HiRail.
When I was showing videos taken of this stuff from this show to a serious HO friend, he didn't notice it was HiRail.
Rusty