Atlas 21st Century Track - REVIEW - pictures added

Let me start off by saying - This is by far and away the best track system I have ever used.

The look and feel of the track is high quality.  The rails are solid I-beam formed to resemble real track.  The ties are brown plastic with simulated wood grain (this was the worst part of the system, the wood grain looks more realistic for G gauge than O as the grain is too far apart).  The track sections are joined by two compression type joints under the outer rails, AND with track clips - not pins - that resemble tie plates.  The track clips appear to be attached to the rails, but they are not and can be easily removed with thumb and forefinger and a slight tug (no pliers required).

Close up of track section end:

Close up of tie plate detail:

My test track consisted of 1 complete O-45 circle and 8 straight sections in the following configuration:

3 str - 3 crv - 1 str - 3 crv - 3 str - 3 crv - 1 str - 3 crv

I also purchase 2 power clips which consist of 2 track clips (one silver with red wire attached, and the other black with black wire attached).  I only used one set of wires.

Sound - not having a wood base for testing, I set the track directly on my train room carpet.  There was limited to no sound from the track itself, just a soft rolling of the wheels along the rails - and no clackity-clack of the wheels traversing the track joints! The two test trains were Williams A-B and A-A Baldwin Sharks (all powered units) with 7 Lionel Madison passenger cars, and a Lionel Mikado with the same passenger cars.  The Williams engines took on a whole new life as you could hear the whir of the motors and they motored down the track (actually sounded like an electric engine at full throttle)... the Trainsounds on the Lionel Mikado could be heared loud and clear, actually drowning out the sound of the engines and cars moving along the track.

All of this confirmed my choice of track system for the soon to be constructed main layout.  I also have decided that cork sub road bed will be used between the track and ceiling tile underlayment to give additional rise before applying the ballast.

I will be editing this post in the next few days, adding appropriate pictures.