I would choose "Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders". It has a lot of valuable information for the beginning track layer.
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Well, it sounds like you are just getting started. I am not familiar with Jeff Wilson's book, but you don't want the Line side Detail book, because it is just that, a guide on how to detail the right of way beside the tracks, and that comes after the track is down and scenery and building are going in.
So any of the basic "how to lay track" books should be OK. If you have a LHS that you go to, they should have a couple that you can look through to see if they have what you need. You should also do a search on this forum for track laying, or laying track.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Nearly done w/ the backdrop! Very happy to have waited until I got the latest edition of MR. There's a great article about painting trees for the backdrop! Once done, ready for the track. What book should I get? Jeff Wilson's "Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders," the one about lineside detail, or something else?
TIA!
Lee