Make of track is straining my Brain

[jeepee]

Hi Everyone.
I am in the process of planning my first N scale railway. I have some very definite Ideas on the type of layout and scenery etc ,but the thing that s bothering me at the moment is the track. I am building a (roughly ) German epoch 3-4 layout and I have a Fleischman BR 39 Engine.
I was hoping to stay with Fleischman Ballasted track but on pricing it up I found it to be a very expensive proposition . I just wondered if any of you have any thoughts on the matter. ie peco track or any other make ,Ballasted or even plain track.thanks.

[bulleidboy]

Hi jeepee

I don't model in N gauge, but I and a vast majority on this forum, whether modelling in N or 00 gauge, use Peco track. There may be price variations depending on supplier - try Hattons - there are others. BB

[Mountain Goat]

Peco track has become the industry standard in most scales and gauges. You can't go that wrong with it.

[yelrow]

I have 3 n gauge set ups, about 150 ft of track,All Peco flexi, Easy to use . Excellent

[jeepee]

Thanks for your help. I will start having a serious look at peco.I did notice that the standard radii of the peco differs from that of the Fleischmann.

[bulleidboy]

Peco flexi is best - you can create your own curves - dependent on the space you have available.

[yelrow]

I mix Peco, with Marklin, in N gauge, using their points, curves, and the odd straight. All goes together well.

[GeoffAlan2]

Take a look at Kato. Their points are ready powered and work well, although the #4 points need care as to siting, don't put them in immediately after a curve a 64, or 62mm* straight is the minimum needed to ensure good running. They make a lot of different radii, double tracks points including a one piece double point and a one piece scissors point. I have a double loop with an end to end wrapped around the outside and cut only two pieces of Kato track to fit, both at the end of shunts. All tracks are linked so I can run from inner loop to outer to end to end.
The track is ready ballasted standing high off the board so you'll need to build up around it to look right for anything but continental/Japanese modern practice, but this is far easier than ballasting Peco track. I know I've used both foam ballast and traditional ballast on Peco. I found Peco's foam ballast deteriorates with age and traditional ballasting is a pain to get even something like right. I moved to Fleischmann for my next layout but the points disintegrated after heavy use.
I'm now building a shunting layout in a rifle case using Kato track again.

*Both are available.

[yelrow]

Taint cheap though. I looked at that, before buying.

[GeoffAlan2]

Taint cheap though. I looked at that, before buying.

True, but it's like all things, you get what you pay for I guess.