This is what bothers me about hand laying track, and building switches. You have to plan very carefully ahead of time, because what you build is not easily changed without ripping apart a lot of hard work.
The same goes for poured concrete roadbed…a lot of work to change once it is in place.
When we try to plan (Notice I say “Plan”, not design) a section of trackage, we always know that times and operations change. The railroad is never “FINISHED”, just like a real pike.
We are always looking at our operations, with an eye to creating more fun, and opening up ideas for better operation.
Once operations get in your blood, the way you plan trackage changes from just "Storage tracks," where you store a train while running another; to, how to move trains with loaded and empty cars from originations to destinations in the most practical manner, with a bit of fun thrown in.
We are always upgrading, and looking for improvements. The track we lay today; may be changed tomorrow.
It’s much easier with “Store bought” track and switches.
If I had more life ahead of me, and nothing better to do; I’d enjoy the idea of hand laying, and the freedom to build switches to suit the need. But I want to operate and see my trackage serving the needs of the railroad NOW, not after I’m dead and buried.
Everyone finds a part of the hobby that suits them…hand laying can be fun…