n gauge track explanations please

Some N gauge stock will go round 9" radius curves or even sharper but it is probably best to keep your minimum radius to 12" or greater, and use larger curves in visible parts of the layout. This allows you options like track looping round the back on a single baseboard of manageable width, not possible in OO.

Peco track is the most widely available and widely used for N gauge in the UK and I would agree to go for the code 55 in the scenic areas and maybe code 80 for hidden sidings as it's a bit cheaper. No problem joining these together though you may have to pack under the sleepers to get it level - sorry can't remember details at this time of night! Real track (of the modern flat-bottom type closest to those modelled by Peco) has rails about 6" high so code 40 would be to scale. However code 55 isn't much worse than using code 100 in OO, the track gauge is more accurate is less in British N than OO, and because it's all smaller any discrepancy is that much harder to see.

The most serious criticism of Peco 55 track is the depth of the switch blades, which revert to Code 80, and the large gaps between them and the stock rails on points.

Hi Bigwordsmith - yes the finescale track does look a bit better than the standard but there are a couple of things to note: -
1. As you have inherited older stock beware that some of these may have deeper wheelflanges which do not like the smaller finescale rails.
2. Also some track items are only available in one or the other but not both and it can be difficult to identify which (eg the double slip). If you drop in to Loconotion again, we can give you more information/advice - I wasn 't there, I cover fridays and saturdays and model mainly N or 009.

Probably the best compromise that will run most items regardless of age is the 'streamline' flexi track (SL300) with 'streamline' pointwork etc the latter having much longer radiuses than the 'setrack' while using the same profile rail.

Regards

David Y