Allan is correct about the proper way to arrange the splice at the crossing nose.? Whether used with FB or BH/DH rail, on the prototype, the design gives maximum strength and wear resistance at all the important places - I've had long discussions with Fred Howes, the FR's former P.Way supremo, who managed the transition from chaired track to flat-bottom rail.
Surely if our aim is to be 'finescale' we should follow the prototype as closely as we can.
Personally, I need to find ways to exploit modern production methods to represent chairs and sleeper and a suitable rail profile.? The relatively new rail produced by the S Scale Society is a fraction small for 7mm scale FR/Penrhyn practice.?
However, as I cannot afford the several thousands of pounds to have an accurate profile drawn (as in drawing wire) I may have to accept the compromise!?
Apropos PECO and EM gauge turnouts - they already have EM gauge track bases available in the former Ratio range, so it may not have been quite such a jump.
My ambition as 7mmNGA Trade Liaison is to do away with the O-16.5 crazy track and get PECO to produce something more realistic - sleepers of the right length and width and at better spacing.? No good for 2ft railways, of course, but what an improvement it would make to 7mm NG layouts!
Adrian Gray