The track is the fundamental part of a model railway layout and yet can be one of the least considered aspects, since many modellers like to concentrate on the rolling stock aspects of the hobby and come to the track as an inevitable part of the layout in order to run the rolling stock.
Originally track would have been to a coarse scale with huge over scale rail sections and sleepers bearing little relationship to reality. Electrical pickup was through a third rail or stud contact down the centre of the track, or via the two rails. Finescale rail and chairs then became available, followed by ready to run flexible track from Peco. There is now a good choice of ready to run track from various manufacturers, and many track components offering the chance to build your own track to precise scale.
In addition there are numerous track accessories available to either help you build track to a good standard or to operate and maintain the track.
The technical team has written a section in the revised manual on track. The original manual also has a comprehensive section on track.