There's a lot to know about different types of model railroad tracks, and the more you know the better prepared you'll be when you start buying and laying out your own railroad. From track codes to metals used to make the rails themselves, it's important to know what you're buying and how it can be used.

Model railroad track codes are defined by the NMRA. The code number is actually the height of the rails. The scale refers to the model train's relative size in proportion to the real train. The gauge is the distance between the rails. 

Different metals are used in making model railroad track. The most popular track today is called "nickel silver" because it is an alloy of those two metals. Nickel silver is popular because it doesn't oxidize as fast as other metals used for rails, meaning that it won't have to be cleaned as often.

Standard track is simply metal rails held together in their gauge by plastic scale railroad ties. Model railroad track with an integrated roadbed has rails fastened to strips of moulded plastic that's painted to look like a bed of ballast with ties embedded in it. Integrated roadbed track stays locked together better than standard track. Integrated roadbed tracks are also better for temporary layouts placed on the floor to elevate the track above carpet fibres.

In addition to standard straight and curved track sections, flex track offers increased options when building a layout. Sold in longer strips, flex track can be curved to match any desired radius or track shape.

Switches, aka turnouts or points, are also available in a variety of sizes and shapes and in both standard and integrated roadbed forms.