Martin Sawicki works as a machinist building precision aerospace components, where tolerances are measured in thousandths of an inch-so handlaying HO scale track feels almost relaxing by comparison. He got into handlaid track after one too many frustrating experiences with commercial turnouts that wouldn't stay in gauge, and he's never looked back. His New Haven Railroad layout features elegant hand-built trackwork that operates as smoothly as it looks. Martin's articles cover everything from basic handlaid track for beginners to complex crossings and slip switches, with detailed explanations of the geometry and gauging that make reliable trackwork possible. He'll tell you that once you understand how track actually works, the commercial stuff never looks quite right again.