track selection

[fonzi]

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a noob to the hobby and will be starting on building an o Gauge layout for the first time. I have a space of 5'x9' and would like to add as many loops as possible with a few connectors.

My question is, what type of track should I use? I'd like something lifelike without having to handlay the track.

Any help would very much be appreciated.

Thanks

[UP2CSX]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by having as many loops as possible but, with a 5'x9' space, about one loop is all you're going to get. Is this a two rail or three rail layout you're planning? Your curves are going to be almost impossibly tight except for anything but the smallest O gauge engines and cars. Lionel type three rail equipment is made to take sharper curves but two rail O scale equipment needs bigger curves. The largest curve you can have is about 28", which is still still sharp for larger HO locomotives. For O gauge, a small diesel or steam switcher is about all you're going to be able to run. If that's all you want to run, no problem. Otherwise, I suggest you rethink the idea of what gauge to use unless you can get a larger space.

[Laidoffsick]

If you are a 3 railer, Atlas would be the best choice IMO of course. I use gargraves but if I was doing a small 5x9, I would use Atlas.

[hokkmike]

Check this out Fonzi:

http://www.henrykautz.org/Trains/FT4x8-2.jpg