Like the idea of code 70. Being that you are going to mainly have an industrial or switching layout, and not run long heavy trains (I am Guessing) the looks of code 70 is great. I used code 70 when I started my layout because I really disliked the oversize rail when I was into my N scale layout. Besides hand laid track, I used Shinohara flex track and turnouts. Micro Engineering wasn't around yet. I tried some ME flex track but found it a bit more difficult to keep a constant radius. Shinohara lets on rail slide through the ties easily so transitions on curves are more or less automatically taken care of. I do like the looks of the ME pre weathered track but ended up using it in straight sections of a yard. Being that I started with Shinohara, I have stayed with it.
Chet: Prototype rail height was deceiving. For instance PRR used 155 lb stick rail, on heavy traffic - high speed main lines, and in at least one case, an electrified branch with frequent coal trains. The Leigh Valley, used 136 lb Lackawanna, which was as tall as the heavier PRR Rail. Some 125 lb RE and 140 lb appeared identical. Same with the 100 lb and 118 lb rail used on some main lines in the South. So Code 70 is appropriate for more than just branch lines, and industrial districts.
I first tried code 70 back in the '80s. The Model Railroad Shop in Dunnellen, NJ was a convenient stop back then, and they handled the full Shinohara (Lambert) Code 70 line, as well as Micro Engineering weathered flex. Back then, Shinohara still made a #5 switch, in Code 70. Now they offer a #4, a #6, and larger switches, but no #5. ME rail is a PIA to curve, and there is an instructional video that shows an easier way to do it. I may actually try some Shinohara flex rail when the time comes. I still have several sections of benchwork to fabricate before I can visualize the complete layout.
Garry: Transition is important, however, when using sectional curves, one can simulate transition, by beginning the spiral with a wider curved section ahead of the fixed curve; (eg. 34" rad 10° curve leading to 31.1" rad 10° curve, or 31.1" rad 10° curve leading to 28.75" rad 10° curve). Not quite the same as what you can do with flex track, but when using sectional, it works. Personally, I believe that sectional track is too rigid for a fixed permanent layout, but is sufficient to test fit sections of layout before final track placement. (Since I have it, I may as well use it).
Great photos of the Kentucky Lake Bridge. I'll bet it cost the shipping company and their insurers plenty. Reminds me of when a C4 cargo ship's mast took out the PC's Movable bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, back in the '70s. The incident took the life of a member of the ship's crew, and set up some really unique and memorable adventures, for yours truly.
