Track opinions

There is a difference in noise levels. More precise; tones. All brand new track beats the old & rusty because of how smooth they run on it. You should visit stores, clubs,  or other O fan hotspots to listen and see for yourself. 

I hear highs very well (21k) I don't like the tinny rollerbearing sound of plastic roadbed track. I don't think most even hear what I do.(similarly, hi fi Alpine radios have an awful squeel; a long high pitched beep that never ends)

The cost of Menards track makes it my present choice. I was very pleased (an early run had some bad centerail isolation, no recent complaints though) it was on my porch in three days counting the night ordered &day delivered, under $50 (36" circle)

Not sectional, but GarGraves flex and Ross switches is what I'd buy for a big layout. Less joints and a lower pitched, smooth, roller bearing sound. The Phantom track has the center rail blackened chemically to hide it. I think they manufactured black center rails first. The track is tubular. Track is all they've done for well over half a century. That ought to tell you something.

Other favs. are vintage Super O, k-line and RMT.  These have softer near rubbery plastic for the ties with woodgrain embossed on. They snap together and use pins both. Kline/rmt has blackened centerail and round tubes. Super O has squared tubes and copper center rail like a thin bus bar. Roller rides the thin edge. S.O. &  K-line would be used track, RMT is back and track and some swtches available, but won't remain without more support Imo. RMT and Kline are very similar if not exactly the same product. All three are great. The quietest tracks ever made imo.

Note: early tin with "fat wheels" on the gearside won't pass through any of the switches made by anyone above. But early (not later) Marx will .

Tin plate Fat Wheels can go straight in some switches but one direction only, fat geared wheels to the full length rail.

Near any mfg can be screwed down in alignment with another to mix brands too 

Wow, "obey the beard" 

If you want to do it right by gargraves track and use Ross custom switches. Ross has the widest variety and they are the highest quality switch you can buy. In a word, they are awesome! If you're building a railroad you want some flexibility to put the track where you want it therefore you will need flexible track. Atlas Flex track cost like $26 a strip. Gargraves Flex track cost $9 a strip. There's not there's not too much to think about there. And gargraves and Ross custom switches match up perfectly. They were meant to complement one another. They are both made in America so unlike Atlas you won't have shipping issues from China. And there you have it. Gargraves track with Ross custom switches is by far and wide the most popular choice of O scale model railroad tracks systems to use.

Considering cost, performance, installation, durability, heritage, availability, ability to communicate with helpful mfg;  after having installed most all the brands of track and turnouts, considering all things, IMO, GG flex, GG and Ross sectional,  Ross turnouts.  Period. 

OTOH, If you just won the lottery and someone else is going to install it, Atlas flex, with Ross turnouts (of course).

Thankyou, my wife had a similar reaction to sound when she heard different sets run.......maybe the plastic base........thankyou for the advice, my planning continues

I see the GG + Ross combination most often when people make a recommendation.  I was wondering why people go with the combination rather than say, 100% Ross?  Thanks.

This is older experience on my part but, Imo, Ross switches are a little better, but contact always seemed harder. I liked the GG track ties, they were(are?) darker. GarGraves stocked all items better, easier to contact, and built more very fast if they ran out. 

Note: you need to check close with what is involved in the switches too. An actuating motor and controls may not be included with a turnout from these better companies. No anti,derail etc. unless you wire for it. Not hard, just an fyi. Bending  flex is work with a learning curve as well, but the result is usually awesome looks, and great running.

NH Bill posted:

I see the GG + Ross combination most often when people make a recommendation.  I was wondering why people go with the combination rather than say, 100% Ross?  Thanks.

Bill, I believe there are two reasons: cost (Gargraves is less expensive than Ross) and lack of flex track in the Ross line.  If you want to get away from the sectional track "train set" look, flex track is a must.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your insights.

Plus the GG having a deeply stocked presence in the secondary market can be  had  for $5.oo  +/- per section uncurved.  

Sample photo of Ross switches and GG flex.

Tinplate track like Menards, old lionel, etc are the cheapest track, but they also are obviously not the best looking track. You can do things to make it look nice that won't cost a fortune, you can add wood ties between the metal ties, or  you could even mount wood ties, then remove and replace the metal ties with wood ones (in effect, scratchbuilding track using tinplate rails, this is especially pretty cheap if you use tinplate used rail). 

The reason for the gargraves/ross being so popular is it combines a relatively realistic look with a relatively low price, compared to the other non tinplate track choices. Gargraves makes switches, they are generally cheaper than Ross switches (so may be an option if money is a defining thing), but they don't offer the range Ross does and most people seem to feel Ross switches are better quality/durable (can't speak to that one myself, but have heard the same thing from those I know that have both brands). 

Via a local club, I have worked with Gargraves track/Ross Switches and a friends layout that was done with all used Gargraves track, Gargraves and Ross Switches.  Midwest cork road bed was used to underlay the track.  Both systems are user friendly with a very good dremel tool and a system for bending and positioning the track.   My layout was done with Atlas track and switches, very good material, may be not as easy to customize.   You should be able to find a fair amount of Ross and Gargraves used.  A good economic start.  If you don't like this system, Sell your used investment and move on to something else. 

One of the more elaborate Gargraves Ross Switch modules, Fort Pitt Highrailers.

At AGHR, we started with Gargraves, but all new alignments are done with Atlas flex despite the higher cost. The Atlas track holds up better because of it's nickel-silver rails (we're right by the ocean and get rust sometimes). You can lay Atlas flex pretty much kink-free if you don't try to bend it too tight (use fixed curves for that, instead), and if you fasten the ties properly by the joints.

We use Ross turnouts because they're about the best constructed short of making your own (which we're investigating). Joining the Ross turnouts to Atlas track is easy as all you have to do is cut the stringers on the end ties of the Ross turnouts and either remove them or push them back from the ends of the rails, then use Atlas joiners. They're worth the money.

Are you trying to go for the Old School Look of a 1950s Lionel Layout ?    Tubular Track can be dressed to Look Good.  Add wood Ties and Ballast.

Steve

I know you wanted Track recommendations but in some of these posts they are referring to sounds emanating from the various manufacture's track products.  I can not stress enough to use a track bed product to eliminate a great deal of spurious sounds.  

NH Bill posted:

I see the GG + Ross combination most often when people make a recommendation.  I was wondering why people go with the combination rather than say, 100% Ross?  Thanks.

I used the GG+Ross on my layout. In my case, the layout is located in the attic. I used stainless steel GG w/ wood ties and Woodland Scenics foam roadbed.

An advantage to an all Ross solution is Rossbed. Great stuff. They make it for Atlas and Ross track. Sadly, not available for GarGraves. 

A couple of things to consider when choosing track:

• Location. Will the layout be located in a humid environment like a basement or  places of high humidity? If so Altas O is the way to go.
• Are you familiar with making smooth curves with Gargraves track? If no then sectional track is what you need.
• Do you like equidistant double track main lines? If so then Atlas O's system is geared to give you that look.
• Atlas O track can be repaired if damaged. Gargraves and Ross track are hollow and can easily be dented and kinked [more so on Gargraves due to metal thickness].
• Atlas O Solid rail Nickel Silver track is more detailed than Gargraves and Ross. 
• Solid Rail gives less electrical resistance than hollow rail track.
• Atlas O track sections are plentiful in the secondary market with not much to go wrong. Also many Train shops do stock the Atlas O track system.
• Ever buy Gargraves in the secondary market where the wood ties dry up and splinter. Then try to un-bend the older Gargraves track- good luck!