Connecting Lionel S scale fastrack to S-Helper track (pictures)

I have been collecting sectional track from the Showcase Line "S-Trax" collection for use in a future S-Scale layout.  As some of you may be aware, issues with production at the Chinese manufacturer has led to a current shortage in S-Trax components.  Primarily affecting straight track.  Boxes of 10" and 15" sections of S-Trax are listed as "Out of Stock" at least until next fall.  That which is available has been selling for 2 and 3 times MSRP on the auction sites.  Thus I was interested when it was announced that Lionel was releasing a limited line of S-scale 'fastrack" of it's own.  And even more interested when it was reported in this forum that the critical rail dimensions of the Lionel track, and the S-Trax components were similar in all respects.  I decided to purchase a couple of pieces of the Lionel track to see if it was possible to fabricate a mating section.  As it turns out, connecting the two different brands of track is a lot easier than I thought it would be.

This is the connection between sections of the Lionel track, it's a little blurry, but essentially under each track joint  there is a round post that snaps between two plastic jaws.  It's not a very substantial connection. 

This is what the connection between two pieces of S-Trax looks like.

By cutting the side clips off of the male connector of the S-Trax piece, and removing the corresponding female connection of the Lionel track completely, the track pieces go together perfectly.  The only issue is that there is no longer a physical connection linking the two roadbeds.  The track is held together only by the rail joiners.

Cosmetically the track are quite different, the rails of the Lionel track are shiny silver, and the roadbed is a darker grey.  The rails can be painted with a paint pen.  Repainting the ballast to match would be a more complicated job.

So why not just use Lionel track?  At the moment the Lionel offering is very limited; a 10" straight section and a 20" radius curved section.  There is also a terminal section which is just a piece of straight track with wires attached to it.  S-Trax has turnouts, uncoupler sections, and offers three different radii of curves in their line.  Most of these items are still available, though in short supply.