Mik’s “best bets”; Buy used, but not abused. Solid rail, not hollow (ie no Lionel, B’mann or Scientific), reasonable curves (r-3 - 6.5 foot diameter - is often a good compromise between size and price - unless you plan on running the huge locos). Don’t worry too much about “Euro” or “American” ties, but do check to make sure they aren’t broken, damaged or brittle. - replace as needed - it’s neither hard nor particularly expensive to do. And most of all, watch the shipping if buying off fleabay, sometimes they do try to gouge you.
FWIW Bachmann has finally begun selling solid brass track also. This stuff:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200868659
So far I’ve only seen 1 ft and 3 ft…no really long sections.
Steve
John Miller said:Fahrenheit or celsius ?
at 5360 feet in elevation with temperature swings from 10-100, I've had best luck with 332 LGB ties and rail..
You should look into getting code 250 track, trains look MUCH better on it and it holds up fine. Being smaller it is a bit cheaper. Sunset Vally makes it as does Llagas and Micro Engineering. At least get a strip and see how your cars/locos look on it compared to Aristo/Lgb/USA track.