Francine posted:Jonathan,
Not everyone wants scale wheels and all the associated problems with switches and derailments. I have friends that have S Scale layouts and their work is exquisite with hand laid track and switches, although not many people have that much time and talent.
No one has to hand lay scale track in S Scale if they don't want to.
My mainline is all Code 100 flex track with Scenery Unlimited's Shinohra #6 turnouts, There are a couple of hand-laid Old Pullman #5's in the yard (no longer available.)
My trackwork is hardly exquisite (straight, level lines and my track never meet, not even for coffee...) and derailments are very infrequent. Usually, it winds up being a mechanical issue with a freight car.
I haven't lost anything to the floor yet.
Diesels are AM, SHS and the Flyer SD's/ES's. Steam is AM, SHS and a couple of brass chooches.
It's all been very reliable with little to no maintenance over the past 28 years.
It still boils down however, that AM has been successfully selling to both markets for well over 25 years and SHS during their entire lifetime. Few folks are aware that AM began as a scale only company. Sales increased when they started offering Flyer compatibility.
Rusty
