[dwb]

QUOTE but pictures are hard to come by

A high proportion of the feature layouts in Hornby magazine use SMP track - it tells you in the text. The principal difference is the appearance of the chairs. SMP has very noticeable chairs which reach about half way up the rail. Peco rail fixings are a lot flatter. The best way to decide is to seek out photos of the period and area you intend to model. My feeling is that mainlines for the period you are modelling had already changed over to flat bottom rail and a more shallow rail fixing which would suggest Peco track would be more appropriate.

David

 

[dwb]

A very useful and informative photo Alastair - thanks for posting it

David

 

[dwb]

QUOTE but my aghastness (new word?) was more to do with how the current gets across.

You have now entered a world where no one trusts a rail joiner to carry current.... Each piece of rail has its own feed or "dropper" as they often called, and as such have been discussed often on the Forum.

David