Anything wrong with Fasttrack?

[FJ and G]

A close friend of mine has decided to go Fasttrack. He likes the 36 diameter track and the look. He's NOT concerned about the non-prototypical appearance. He asked me if there were any disadvantaged.

I said that most who use it really enjoy it and that the only 2 things I can even think of are:

1. Lack of availability (for now) of some of the turnouts such as Atlas or Gargraves uses

2. Lack of flexibility reported by one operator (to climb steep, short grades) and of course, no flextrack.

On the plus side I told him that durability, reliability and ease of connection are big pluses.

[Anonymous]

The major problem with Fastrack is the noise. It's very noisy even if you use carpet, styrofoam, or homosote as a base. There is also a problem with isolating blocks. I might consider it if Lionel corrects those problems.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, guys. I relayed the info on.

Seems I read somewhere about someone quieting his tubes by putting a substance inside the tubes. Can't recall all the details.

[Big_Boy_4005]

That's a start Dave.

There is the noise problem, which many people have complained about.

The center rail insulating problem, which can, with a lot more effort, be overcome.

The accessory compatability problem, which calls for creative solutions, and roadbed chopping.

And last but not least, the pricing problem. Lionel's margin on this product is bordering on the obscene, and for the same money a person could get a lot more track going with Gargraves or tubular.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, Elliot, didn't even consider the price issue. I'll let him know.

[cheapclassics]

So far, I am really thrilled with Fasttrack. After years of O-27, this is a dream. Not having room for a permanent layout in the heated portion of the house, I can have an oval of track with a siding leaning up against the wall and then lay it on the floor when I want to run some trains. I do not notice the noise too much on carpet, and the electrical consistency is very nice. The engines do not "pick" the points of a switch, even coming off a curve. The only downside I can see for a large layout is the inability to make "fitter" sections of track. Perhaps there will be more of the smaller sizes available later.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana