Best hobby train tracks according to redditors

This and This

Edit: Look into some bachmann nickel silver HO scale EZ track too.

I mix and match my O-31 with FastTrack - Lionel FasTrack Transition Piece

Edit: Note: I have O-31, OP is showing O-27

Crossovers and turnouts can be tricky for locomotives to carry themselves through. In order to keep things from short-circuiting, the tracks need to be insulated from each other, so the chances of the loco getting power essentially get cut in half as it's traversing these areas.

The good news is that both the flickering and the stuttering are more than likely being caused by dirty track. If there was a lack of power, the lights would be dim, not flickering on and off. It doesn't take long for oxidization to build up. You can buy a Bright Boy, though I've seen people also using small squares of Masonite to wipe up grime as well.

http://www.ipmsusa.org/Reviews/Kits/Misc/Trumpeter_35_BR52/Trumpeter_35_BR52.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Trumpeter-German-WR360-Armored-Locomotive/dp/B001SX4NC4

https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/tru/kit_tru_1518.shtml

https://www.amazon.com/German-Railway-Flatbed-Machine-Artillery/dp/B002QN99V0/ref=pd_sbs_21_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XC2Z43YSY2Q8QY6Q4E1E

https://www.amazon.com/Trumpeter-German-Railway-Track-Extra/dp/B004CR373O

Go crazy!

There's this US shop on ebay who makes track cleaning cars by hand. Their design is super simple but it works great. It's not for a thorough cleaning but more for regular cleaning.
https://www.ebay.com/str/espeetcpexcessbaggageshoppe

I bought a car from them, they're nice people and the cleaning car works great! Plus it looks like a normal car so it can sit on your layout without looking weird and out of place.

For a more thorough cleaning there's the CMX cleaning car

It's expensive though but /u/ronstrainsnthings of Ron's Trains N Things reviewed it and said it works great.

EDIT: just saw this was posted 5months ago. Sorry.

So EZ track refers more towards this stuff which has a plastic roadbed. There is similar track that does not have the plastic roadbed and must be connected by separate rail joiners. This is called a lot of different things, but I call it sectional track. You would need a cork or similar roadbed for it, and you could ballast/paint it to look nice.

I would suggest using rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth or if they are in worse shape use a Bright Boy. Should get one of these anyway for regular cleaning once you lay track.

Walthers SceneMaster Bright Boy Cleaner Standard Grit Abrasive Track Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EXGNT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0lddBb7PPF71P

Ok, but removing the middle track means the train is useless as a toy, it will not work. It also not meant to be removed, which means you'd have to use tools. It doesn't just snap off.

Lionel track
http://www.trainsontracks.com/lionel-model-trains-lionel-o-1-2-straight-track-6.html

HO track
https://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Silver-Straight-Atlas-Trains/dp/B000H6XL9O

The reason one rail looks longer is there is a "connector" that must be used to connect the tracks together. You need one for each rail at each connection.

I was planning to do some kind of levelled layout... the track pack I got is this one . I also have a crap load of old brass track that I bought 15 years ago in a fit of madness... so I am not exactly sure how much I have. Full inventory will probably come after I finish moving in a couple of months.

Yes. There are ready-to-go products like https://smile.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Nickel-Reversing-System-Ho/dp/B0038LDLQI, or you can do it yourself with your own sensors.

What track are you using? Were there any pieces taken from something like this?

Another question. Will these two pieces of track not match up? They seem to be different colors.

one

two