track options

No soldering needed for any of those 3. Atlas and Ross have biggest selection. MTH Scale Trax I feel looks more realastic but selection is slim and it is hard to get. Also Welcome aboard.

While many modelers solder joints and power connections, none of the brands of track sold today require soldering, so don't let that influence your decision too much. The most common choices are Atlas, GarGraves with Ross switches, and Lionel FasTrack, but there are layouts done using all brands.

GarGraves is one of the most popular due to price and availability. Ross switches are arguably considered the best with the most options and many modelers use them regardless of what brand track they buy. Atlas is arguably the quietest track and easy to keep clean, but I've seen GarGraves layouts that are also very quiet. Because of the plastic roadbed, FasTrack is the least quiet of the 3, but there are things you can do to lessen the noise. ScaleTrax is arguably the most realistic looking, but curve sizes and switch options are limited, especially for those modeling in small spaces, and availability can be problematic. ScaleTrax FlexTrack is by far the easiest to bend, though people have had good success bending GarGraves flex.

The biggest reasons many modelers choose a particular brand are the sectional curve and switch sizes that are available for that brand.
Atlas has O27, O36, O45, O54, O63, O72 and so on.
GarGraves has O32, O42, O54, O63, O72 and so on.
FasTrack has O31, O36, O48, O60, O72 and so on.

Atlas and FasTrack offer straights in various small increments from 1 1/4" to 10" and then long pieces that are 30" or 40". Here GarGraves is the odd ball in that their smallest piece is 6.2" followed by 12.4", 24.8" and 37". However, GarGraves is arguably one of the easier tracks to cut to size and many modelers don't like using the small filler pieces offered by Atlas and FasTrack. That is also where soldering comes in to make joints stronger and more seamless. The number of (unsoldered) joints can affect power and command control signal transmission. Most modelers add power drops every 10' or so and of course, soldered connections are better than pins and joiners that are prone to loosening over time.

And then there's cost. Atlas is the most expensive and while you can find discounts online, you'll often find bigger discounts on the others. That said, there are plenty of modelers who are happy with every brand of track.

Adrian

 Posting open ended questions will get you a LOT of answer here on the forum....which is great!!!....

Narrow things down.....I will tell you Dave (aka: Doubledaz) can provide a LOT of help....

As far as track selection:

- consider the cost of track and switches

- consider if you want a high rail look to toy train look (based on your post I will assume you are looking to go high rail)

To keep this short I would start from there.....

There are many option to choose from one you decide on one of these 2 options.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

Adrian: while I am not new to the hobby but getting back into it and after using Atlas Track, after a lot of research & just looking around I have decided to go with Gargraves Track & Ross Switches              W /dz 2500 machines. It is the most realistic looking IMHO & one of the least expensive ( cheapest)  There is a great selection of all their track from many different Hobby Shops so the price competition is keen. As far as Ross goes you won't find a better switch also compatable  with just about every operating system out there.

Hope this helps.

Jerry     

Adrian,

   Lots of different great track out there.  I use FasTrack, RealTrax and Conventional Lionel Tubular and will run all three in the Train Room I am now building in our new home.

If you like realism, Ross and Atlas are the way to go, if you are like me and want a child like wonderland layout, FasTrack is very hard to beat.  Especially with the new Command Control low voltage switches, operated by track power right from the Legacy or TMCC Hand Held Remote Control.  

Investigate all your engineering options.  If you are planning on running Tin Plate Trains FasTrack and Lionel Tubular handle just about every thing every made.  If you are running Modern and Post War, you have lots of options to choose from.

Welcome aboard and participate as often as you can.

PCRR/Dave

Scale Legacy controlled TMCC JLC GG-1 with passenger Consist, on our new Shelf Ceiling FasTrack layout - ya go to love it!