Wondering if a FasTrack Adjustable-Length Straight Track could be done? along the lines or this Rokuhan Z scale adjustable length track:
Rokuhan adjustable straight video.
Adjustable from 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" might be a good range, to make a lot of track arrangements connect. Doesn't look great when wide extended, but perhaps if ballasted would be fine.
Interesting idea, would need three rails of course. Perhaps could be a telescoping inner rail, that the outside rails enclose. There would be a "clickety-clack" over the joints with a slight difference in height, but I don't think would cause any running problems?