Pat, that's an interesting tie strip, I don't think I've ever seen it before. What is it, manufacturer, etc.? Do you then lay down individual rails? If so, how do you attach them and keep them in gauge? Do you hand build the switches, or are they provided as kits?
Central Valley makes the tie strips and switch kits. I purchased Micro Engineering weathered rail and they will be spiked down with hand laying spikes. The tie plates are molded into the tie strips, so it helps with the gauge, spikes hold them in place. The whole reasoning behind using the 5mm lauan plywood road bed is to allow the spikes to stay firmly into place. My progress look much better in person, my camera just doesn't do justice. Central Valley provides the heel blocks, switch points, frog, targets, brackets, throw rods etc. in each individual switch kit. I have a buddy who has been doing all of his switches in exact scale right down to individual tie plates, throw roads and joint bars...
I read this quickly, and thought it said, "I'm better than you..." But now I see that you are better, thank you. Glad to know that, Candy!
New HO shelf layout started this weekend. Here are some pictures. I made room for the 2 scratch built bridges...can't wait to see them lit with the LED's in installed. -Art
There's nothing wrong with gutters on a roof even with a lot of snowfall. I have a home in an area where we get several feet of snow and having no gutters did not stop the formation of the ice dams. I just had the roof replaced with a standing seam metal roof and I will have short gutters only over the doors. Having the largest gutters with electric heaters to melt the ice on the roof will prevent ice dams. also you want to get the water far away from the foundation of the house especially if there is a basement.