GarGraves Flex or Rigid

Flex with some work allows for large curves.  This was done with used Gargraves flex.   Slideshow of the build.

Downsides?....None. 

But, if you're concerned about laying flex track perfectly straight, and if you have a table saw/fence, make a quick jig...

Take a flat piece of lumber....say, 1X3 by whatever length suits you.., mark the three rail positions on one side, set your blade for about 1/4" depth, cut grooves for the rails.  There you have it....an easy alignment gauge for keeping straights straight.  Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom.

I've got a bunch of used gargraves flex track that i'm using as straight. some of it was even bent before I got it and I haven't had any problems keeping it straight

Thanks guys.

Flex it is, and yes my biggest concern was keeping the long straights straight. I have some Atlas straight sections thought I would set those down on the floor for a quick section of test track. I figured since they locked together and were straight sections they would come out as one lone straight. Ha ha ha, I turned around after laying down five sections of track and couldn't believe how not-straight it was.

DKDKRD, I think you're talking about the same sort of thing I read about in Ingeniero No1's thread about his layout build. The track gauge  is brilliant btw imo. I plan on snapping a chalk line or two as well as using a track gauge.

Although there are a few tricks to laying curves, IMO, flex is best for larger radius curves, ie over say 54" diameter.  Use sectional for anything less.  Then use flex for all straight.  As others have noted, using a guide makes laying it absolutely straight works easily.  I use a four foot wood "yard" stick.  Drill small holes in the ties, say every foot; use a wire nail in the first end. Lay the yard stick along your route; tack down the far end up against the yard stick; then squeeze the track tight against the stick on all the intermediate holes and tack them down.  Move onto the next section.

I prefer using flex track because real rails are not straight . Looks more realistic to not have it exactly straight.

All of my track is GG flex.  As far as I'm concerned there is no downside.

I model in S and didn't use GarGraves on my present layout, but flex track was my choice for all the above reasons.  Plus it gives me the option to make easements more easily.  On a previous layout of mine, I used GarGraves exclusively on my straights.  Again, any of the above methods work.  I used a carpenter's 4' ruler for maintaining alignment.