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To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
As for new track, Fastrack (what Lionel is mainly pushing now) is great, and would work well on a carpet or a layout. It is more expensive than tubular though.
So really, it's your decision. They are both great products. However, if you want my decision, I decided to go with O gauge tubular (not O-27, I'm not sure which you have) when I built my new layout. It has wider curves than o-27, and was cheaper than fastrack.
This question has been asked many times & you will get many different answers. I prefer Ross track & switches.
The tubular track is easier to work with then Fastack and cost less then Fastrack.
Another thing to consider is doing any custom track fitting as it gets super expensive with Fastrack.
With tubular track you just cut it and file it off and add track pins, not so with Fastrack.
As for companies that still sell tubular track there is RMT trains and Williams. You can find enough tubular in the market place(ebay or train shows) for many years, so don't even try to be concerned that you can not find it.
Lee Fritz
For a permanent layout, Atlas-O track is another option. Solid nickle-silver rails, and curves ranging from O-27 out to so big you'll need a barn to use them in a layout.
Availability has been a bit tight, but seems to be improving lately.
I bought three working pairs of O-22/5132/5133 (31" diameter curve) tubular track switches with functional controllers for less than the discounted price of a single fastrack remote O-36 switch.
Pete
1122E switches were going unsold at $10@, 3/$20 at the Utica show 1/18.
If setting up a carpet central or temporary layout I would use fastrack. Sets up easily and is extremely reliable even after being taken apart and used again.
For permanent layout I like Atlas
Tubular track for building a layout for your grandson will serve you well. It is in use by the majority of O-Gauge hobbyists and if you are not going for a Hi-Rail layout, it is in my opinion your best bet. Very cost effective as well.
To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
Not a rumor anymore. It is a fact. At our club meeting, one of our members, who owns a LHS and is a Lionel dealer, received a press release from Lionel last week indicating tubular track is done. Lionel will not make any more. As I recall, switches won't be made anymore and will be the first to go. Track will no longer be manufactured starting in a year or two. Once distributors run out, thats it.
To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
Not a rumor anymore. It is a fact. At our club meeting, one of our members, who owns a LHS and is a Lionel dealer, received a press release from Lionel last week indicating tubular track is done. Lionel will not make any more. As I recall, switches won't be made anymore and will be the first to go. Track will no longer be manufactured starting in a year or two. Once distributors run out, thats it.
So I should hoard enough tubular track to last me for the next 60 years? 
Daniel Grubb,
I use Lionel FasTrack, MTH RealTrax and Lionel Conventional Tubular O & 027 on our different Christmas layouts down thru the years. I love the new FasTrack with the low voltage remote control switches, however as Rob points out it is cheaper to run Conventional Track & Switches and get the job done in a more traditional Tin Plate manner. With the advent of the new Rockwell X2 Bladrunner Saw, cutting custom FasTrack pieces at any angle, is no longer a problem. Now FasTrack is just as easy to work with as conventional tubular, and FT is much nicer for any carpet central layout you might want to make for your kids. Further I like FasTrack & RealTrax because they will accommodate all my Tin Plate Trains, both old and new, along with all my modern trains also. Prior to purchasing track, make sure what ever trains you presently own & trains that you want to purchase in the future, run on the track & switches you like most & want to presently purchase. If you are going to stay with conventional Tubular track, I also suggest you look into the RMT low voltage switches, they are in fact the original K-Line Super Snap switches, and some of the best modern switches ever made, other wise the super high grade Lionel 022's, 711/072 are still available.
Have fun deciding on what track to purchase and build your layout with, and welcome back to the hobby.
PCRR/Dave
To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
Not a rumor anymore. It is a fact. At our club meeting, one of our members, who owns a LHS and is a Lionel dealer, received a press release from Lionel last week indicating tubular track is done. Lionel will not make any more. As I recall, switches won't be made anymore and will be the first to go. Track will no longer be manufactured starting in a year or two. Once distributors run out, thats it.
Rumors, rumors, rumors again. Lionel's exact statement said they would cease production until current inventory levels are reduced. Besides, there's more than enough on the secondary market to last for years. Most experienced train folk buy their track by the sealed case, it's alot cheaper that way.
"Pappy"
To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
Not a rumor anymore. It is a fact. At our club meeting, one of our members, who owns a LHS and is a Lionel dealer, received a press release from Lionel last week indicating tubular track is done. Lionel will not make any more. As I recall, switches won't be made anymore and will be the first to go. Track will no longer be manufactured starting in a year or two. Once distributors run out, thats it.
My LHS told me the same thing last Friday. No details like you got, just said Lionel announced they were not making tubular track anymore. My LHS said they thought Bachmann made some that was similar. They don't carry it at my LHS so I have never seen it.
I also think track selection is definitely a personal choice decision and should be researched carefully before purchasing mass quantities. Everyone is different and wants different things with their track systems.
To me, that's a personal decision. There have been rumors for years that Lionel is going to stop making tubular track, but that has not happened yet. Even if it does, there are 100 years of Lionel tubular track on the used market, and Williams makes it too.
Not a rumor anymore. It is a fact. At our club meeting, one of our members, who owns a LHS and is a Lionel dealer, received a press release from Lionel last week indicating tubular track is done. Lionel will not make any more. As I recall, switches won't be made anymore and will be the first to go. Track will no longer be manufactured starting in a year or two. Once distributors run out, thats it.
Rumors, rumors, rumors again. Lionel's exact statement said they would cease production until current inventory levels are reduced. Besides, there's more than enough on the secondary market to last for years. Most experienced train folk buy their track by the sealed case, it's alot cheaper that way.
"Pappy"
I asked specifically, having heard the same thing at York from Lionel. That is no longer the case. Tubular track is 100% DONE. No occasional production runs. This is it. Bachmann has tubular track and their new EZ Track (similar to their HO and N scale track). RMT has the K-line stuff.
The question you have to ask yourself, do you want a scale or toy train appearance. I am a toy train layout, the track in the photo is out of production but Lionel Tubular track is still available along with switches and cross overs.
I like the sounds from the train's wheels on tubular track.
Good Luck
Click photo to enlarge.
Didn't see anything in the 'Announcements' or 'News' on the Lionel web site, but...
The Lionel 'Online store' only shows FasTrack for sale, no tubular of any kind. The pulldown on the left of the page shows 3 "Traditional O" items. But if you click on it you get 3 FasTrack "Track Packs" that for some reason have "Traditional O" in the description.
OK, so Perhaps Tubular has run out after many decades of use.
I prefer Realtrax for my Den / Christmas Layout and ScaleTrax for the Big Layout.
Scaletrax is the closest to scale made, period. Yes there are many saying the tie spacing is too wide, but it is closer than any other actual track without built in roadbed.
Personally, I don't notice the spacing. Especially after ballast is in place.
Bottom line Daniel:
Look around, play with some track and make your choice.
Ross makes excellent (correct shape rails staked to wood ties) track and switches here in the USA if that matters to you.
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