Hey Jacob,
I found that Bill Kronenberger's answers were pretty much on the mark.
However, I'll share with you my personal grade experience. On the Val Ease
Central I am obliged to make very tight curves and large grades. In fact
the highest grade on the layout is a one inch rise in a 20 inch run (5%!).
Elsewhere the grade is 1:40 or 2.5% maximum grade.
I can run a 10 car freight train up the 5% grade with one Micro-trains F7 on
the lead. However, I double head F7's to pull a 6 car passenger train up
the same grade. Note that MT F7's are fine pullers but you want to avoid
noticeable slowing of the train going up the grade. I do cheat at train
shows where I only run trains down the 5% grade.
On the subject of rail, Rail Craft in the US makes a slightly lower profile
rail for Nn3 use. If you want to try your hand at laying your own track, I
would suggest that you look into this brand as it is available in 30" if not
36" lengths.
I am sensitive to the look of the rail myself. Unfortunately, I had
completed two suitcases before Micro-Trains introduced their flex track. I
used Peco for the most part. My solution to the tie spacing and rail height
problems was to disguise them... paint the rails and the ties before
balasting and then weather the ties and ballast between the rails after
ballasting. I have found that the problems seem to disappear because most
of the visual clues have gone.
I could have used a 3 way turnout myself a couple of times or even a wye
turnout. I did cut between the turnout ties and curved the straight exit to
add a very slight wye effect to one turnout leading into a yard throat.
With a little creative cutting and careful bending and artful disguising, it
is possible to make do with what is available.
Cheers,
Jeffrey
