ALAN LOCZY,
IMO the realistic look is nice if you only want to run Post War and modern Trains. On our Iron Horse layout the members voted for GG because of how it looked instead of opting for track, that ran all the different kinds of O Gauge Trains perfectly, including Tin Plate. I was against that engineering Plan from the beginning. It's still my Engineering opinion even today, so my new Train Room is a child like wonderland, that is based O Gauge running function, not reality looks. I use FasTrack with wireless FTCC Switches or old Lionel Conventional with 711/072 switches with LED's.
Trying to keep your cost over head down and have reality looks, is why most men who want reality looks go with Atlas or GG track and Ross Switches. Today if I was doing that kind layout, I would bite the bullet, save and go with Ross Track & Switches. Simply great looking reality based engineering that really works well, costly as it is.
The problem with MTH ScaleTrax is the switches are not any kind of reliable, my opinion of Atlas & GG Switches is no better, especially for trouble free Train running.
In a decent environment power loss and corrosion are really not a problem with most all the newer manufacturers Track.
Good luck with your new layout!
PCRR/Dave
Construction continues on the new PCRR Train Room.
