Hi, and welcome to Big Blue.
To answer your question about which track to use, I'm wondering why you're opting to handlay the track. There aren't any unusual track configurations in your plan, and you can get nice flowing curves with flex track. If you want long turnouts, #10s are commercially available, and if you wanted something longer, you could scratchbuild just the turnouts. I doubt that you'd get your money's worth from the Fast Tracks jigs. In my opinion, good-quality flex track looks a lot better, detail-wise, than the handlaid stuff which I've seen.
The Central Valley system is a nice compromise between handlaid and flex, and there's some very useful information
HERE.
Proto 87 is another game altogether, I think, and it encompasses not only the track, but also wheel and truck standards necessary for compatibility. It's certainly an option to consider if you're just starting out, but most of what I've seen extends to locomotives (mostly wheels - diesels are easy, but steam less-so), rolling stock
and structures and scenery. Once you've gone to the lengths necessary with the track and equipment, you're almost compelled to make the details and surrounding layout match the same standards. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but you need to be aware of where it may lead.
Wayne
