Types of tracks

I went with FasTrack on my layout.  Two loops one scale mile each.  Some people will say that FasTrack is noisy, but I disagree.  As long as you don't run your trains wide open and keep them a a nice scale speed I don't hear much noise.

Heron,

   Sense you limited your question to FasTrack & RealTrax and I own and use both,

IMO using FasTrack is the way you want to construct your layout.  FT is easier to build with almost zero breakage, and has great Command Control low voltage switches, that operate from the Cab1 or Cab2 hand held remote control.  The one big draw back to FT is that it is noisy when running multipile trains, unless you use sound suppression of some kind under your tracks.  I use either old sound suppression tile or indoor/outdoor carpet, or a combination of both on my multi level FT layouts, to almost completely deaden the noise.  Remember however both FT & RT are not forgiving as you build, make sure you have all the track pieces you need available, as you build.

Further you may want to purchase the new Rockwell X2 portable saw, to make custom FasTrack pieces for your layouts, just invested in one myself for Christmas.

Further FT works great with DCS & Legacy. 

PCRR/Dave

Super O by Lionel!

There are many different track systems available and it is really a personal selection. If you search around here there have been many discussions on the different track types. Hopefully you have a local hobby shop or train store, and if so I would highly recommend you go there and start looking at all their track. There is a book titled 'Trackwork For Toy Trains' by Peter H. Riddle, Kalmbach Books, that helped me a lot with the available track types and helped me with my decision to use Atlas-O track. Looking at the track at my LHS was a great help also.

It's an age old debate of which track is the best, you will get more answers than there are track types. Every track system available today is a good system. They all have pros and cons. The best thing you can do is find the one that meets your needs and that you like the look and feel of and go with that system. You will be a lot happier and probably won't be wanting to switch to another system any time soon.

I've used tin plate, FasTrack, and Atlas track, and I like the look and sound of Atlas the best for a permanent layout.  I use FasTrack for carpet and temporary layouts.  When fastened to bare plywood, the FasTrack is the loudest, and Atlas the quietest.  But the FasTrack on the carpeted floor isn't that bad with a long train at full speed, I can still hear most of the locomotive's sounds.  If you want a layout where you will change the track around every now and again, go FasTrack.  If you are going to mount the track and not move it for years, I'd look into one of the track systems that doesn't have the built in roadbed.

Survey conducted last year among Forum members and most who responded use good ole tubular track. You can't beat it for durability.

I have solid rail Realtrax on my layout, Fastrak on the Carpet Central under the tree and have used tubular extensively in the past and found all 3 to be quite good and all 3 have similar pitfalls. I guess it really depends on your personal tastes but I'm going back to tubular on my next layout simply because I like the looks and fitter pieces are easier to make plus Magnetraction works best on it.

Jerry