Display Lists Question

Yes, display lists would be a good idea in this case. For any model that you load, vertex arrays or display lists should give a speed increase. AFAIK there is no way to bend a display list. If I understand your situation, it might work well to create a display list for straight track, slightly bent track, and drastically bent track, and build your track out of those parts.

Depending on the poly count/meter of railroad, you can store the entire railroad in a display list.
However, if you have more than, say, 20K polys you should use vertex arrays (or a newer extension)

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