I ran a Christmas layout on the track this year with bump-n-go. Used the smaller diameter track and the trolleys ran well (except for one reluctant lionel). I had a bumper right against the wall. Immediately out of that end was a 90 degree curve, about 4 feet of straight, then a Y which went into 4' BY 2' loop around the "city park".
Seems that if you have a trolley with rollers instead of a pickup shoe, it would run a bit better. Powered it with an MRC Tech II transformer that I got off of Ebay for $8.00. Liked that because it had on on/off switch so I could just leave it plugged in all the time.
Hope that helps.