New 0-27 track for a medium sized pike..yay or nay?

I don't see any reason not to. I've used tubular track plenty of times. I would recommend going with a larger curve diameter then 0-27 but overall, 0-27 style track is a fine choice if you like the toy look. This layout was originally built with only 0-27 style track but by the time I tore it down, it had some Ross track/switch, 0-27 style and 0 Gauge (black tie) style tubular track. 

Very nice work, Matt. Track looks fine once properly ballasted. Thank you for sharoling the pictures.

 

I forgot to mention the minimum diameter curve will be 042 with 054 easements. Iplan on using O42 switches as well. I'm really liking one of the plans from Ace in his thread about easements. I'll link to his picture once  I get home to my laptop.

Do you plan to run O scale sized diesels and freight/ passenger cars? If you do and you want to use the lionel switches, you will find that some of your longer equipment will hit the switch machine.
I speak from experience.

From my own experience, The Lionel O27 42-inch switches can be problematic in that the center rail between the closure rails is wide enough to allow a pickup roller or the back side of a driving wheel to bridge the gap between them.  I put some tape over the edges to overcome this, but I still don't fully trust them.  I'm sure others may have had better luck with them.

Aaron

Thanks for the tips, Flash, Aaron. Over the past few days I have been bargaining with the track manager/cheif financial officer (wife!) and she allotted a bit more cash so im going to go with gargraves track and Ross switches a little at a time! Thank you again folks for sharing the info and pictures!

 

Dominic