TRACK CHOICE

FasTrack is just plain loud. I had every piece I needed to build my layout only to sell it and buy Gargraves/Ross.

Gilly

I'm with Gilly. Fastrack is loud, and I just couldn't get over the unrealistic look, especially when running scale locomotives and rolling stock. Gargraves/Ross are an excellent choice. And as one previous poster mentioned, they're made in the US, which is a real plus in my mind. 

I've never used the modern sectional track systems.  One of the attributes that made GG track so appealing was its inherent flexibility.  Need a special section of track--bend it and cut it.  Need an isolated rail section--get the Dremel out and cut the outside rail.  And, so on.  No need to buy special track sections; no need to buy a chop saw or band saw.  Very, very simple product to use.

At times, I think the software libraries so many folks use to design layouts actually gets in the way of flexibility.  Too many quarter curves instead of a cosmetically more appealing easement.

As many have said, it's your $$$; get what you want.

We use Gargraves and Ross track with Ross switches on our non-electrified lines (subway) at NJ Hirailers. They are easy to work with and hold up to constant punishment pretty well.

Fastrack is a good track system. I started out with that as my favorite track. As other has stated the noise was too much for me and I went with Atlas solid rail. I have since heard many here that have come up with different ways to quiet it down and many people are not even bothered by the noise. If you like it there are ways to get around any obstacles you might run into.

Any track system you choose will have pros and cons and things that need to be worked out. There is no one perfect system that has it all or does it all for everyone. If you like Fastrack then you should use it. It is just as good a system as any of the others out there.

I think the most important guide to a track system is your budget or if you want scale.  If you enjoy the look of toy trains then original tubular track is fine and fits right in.  If you want to have more options and realism then there are several good options for most budgets.

Is fastrack loud because you run your trains at unrealistic speeds?  I have a double track layout with O84 on the outside and O72 on the inside loop and for some reason i don't have a noise problem.  Maybe it's because I run my trains at a believable scale speed.  The noisiest layout I have heard was made with tinplate three rail track.