Saw a suggestion above about going O Gauge rather than O27. That difference is a bit of a throwback to when O27 track curves were limited to 27" diameters from Lionel (maybe others). O27 was actually available from Marx in 34" which is wider than 31" O Gauge. Since then, O27 has been made in 42", 54", and 72" diameter curves, so if you plenty of O27 (lower profile than O Gauge) tubular track, you can reduce your derailments by adding some wider diameter curves. Lionel and K-Line also make/made switches/turnouts in 42" diameter so you can go wider there, too, compared to 50+ years ago
If you're truly starting over, higher profile O Gauge does offer more options for curves and turnouts, no doubt. Personally, I find the O27 lower profile track more appealing. Point is that today, one can run just about any engine made (except for the absolute largest scale engines) on O27 track, but limited to 42" on the turnouts.
