Hey there. I have been drooling over G scale trains for many years now. I have a question about the trackage. My LHS has 1 foot sections of track and curves for about $5 or so per each. This is as you prolly guessed as sectional track. What is typical for a large garden layout? Is there flex track or something of the such? Do you hand lay track? I cant see making a mainline around my back yard at $5 per foot. What kind of prices per foot should I be looking for?
Hand laid track is possible. IF you don't mind the time doing it, cutting your own ties etc.....I believe rail is available in 8 foot sections. No flex track, but it does come in 5 foot(60") sections. Any track section can be bent, if you choose to, with a single, or dual rail bender. Or with the infamous "belly bender" method! Not as precise though! I use a combination of straight track lengths on my railroad. Some cut to fit from 5 foot sections. I also use stock 4 and 5 foot radius( 8 and 10 foot diameter) curves on my railroad. All sectional, with rail clamps connecting. Might check out the Charles Ro site, sales front for USA Trains. As well as all other makers/scales! You can get track a bit cheaper that way, either single pieces, or full box(es). Will PM link.
Sectional track is probably the most reasonable thing to do. I would try to minimize the number of sections so use the longest possible straight pieces. Depending on the diameter of your curves, a complete circle will be either 12 or 16 sections. I always preferred Aristocraft Stainless Steel track but they are long out of business. I had about an 80' outdoor track with a single power feed and cleaned it once a year. Brass requires much more frequent cleaning.
Thanks for the inputs guys. I found someone with some track for sale in my area so I am going to save up some cash and pay him a visit. The trains I want are not currently being produced so I'm going to have some fun tracking them down, but isnt that part of the fun?
