lionel fastrack

[Jumijo]

Brian,

No offense was intended in my post toward you or any one else, and none was taken by any thing you wrote. My point was that FasTrack is getting a bad wrap over this noise issue, and I think it's from veterans of the hobby that are used to the old tubular. Take the two track systems, tubular and FasTrack and have a newcomer set them both up and use them. Which system do you think they are going to prefer? I think the new track system is a quantum leap over the old style tubular - in looks and performance. Yes, it is 3 times more expensive, and I wholeheartedly agree that it's too expensive for what it is. But I've noticed that to be true with just about everything in the O guage realm. Heck, even new Plasticville structure kits are close to $20.00 a piece now.

Again, no offense was meant to Brian or anyone else. And I apologize for any that was interpreted.

Jim

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Houdy

It's not 1950 anymore.

Maybe too bad it's not. Gasoline was $0.25/gal, loaf of bread was $0.35 and postage was $0.04 and payphone (remember them) was a $0.05 [:D]

[laz 57]

I'm running fasttrack now with my MTH PS2 loco's and with all the sound coming from the engines I haven't noticed the noise.
laz57

[lionelsoni]

Tom, first-class postage was still three cents in 1950. I can remember being shocked by having to get used to using six-cent airmail stamps instead when my family moved to Alaska in 1956.

[spankybird]

Bob - you got me. I was only 1 year old in 1950, but I do remember the rest, as prices pertty much stayed the same for years.

[Anonymous]

BTW, plugging in some values for items in the 1961 catalog into an inflation calculator has a 1961 operating submarine car that cost $8.95 in 1961 would cost $52.29 in 2002. 2002 catalog price for the car was $49.95. A section of Super O track in 1961 went for 35 cents. Adjusted for inflation that comes to $2.18 and wouldn't have any ballast. A ZW went for $39.95, that comes to $249.17 in 2005 (to be fair, the 1961 model could only do 180 watts sustained output and didn't have a bell button).

Sorry, but to me the good old days were more old than good.

Hey, who's up for a polio outbreak. I really miss those duck and cover exercises in grade school.

[Anonymous]

I agree fastrack is nice and sturdy on a carpet, but gee, you can still get three feet of gargraves flex with a black center rail and wood ties for less than five bucks!

[dwiemer]

Well Folks,
Lots of information has been exchanged since I first posted this question. One thought that was emailed privately to me, it was suggested to use two-sided, foam tape to mount the fastrack to the layout. As for actually getting the layout started, still working on the plan. My wife and I went to Sears and purchased the entire Lemax village to put on the set.
Thanks for all the great information.
Dennis

[wrmcclellan]

Dennis,

Good luck and let us know how your layout turns out!

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Whats all this talk about Fastrack trains noise? That stuff is music to my ears!!!

And when my wife starts griping about her crisis du jour, I say add a few more cars, crank up the Railsound volume, and open the throttle!!!

[Anonymous]

There is a Fastrck to O guage transition piece available these days. Which opens up a varietry of additional curve radii for layouts.

It's a shame someone hasn't come you with a 10" long vertically tapered O guage to 027 tansition piece. That would allow for layouts to take advantage of the 27" curve if needed.

I've started my hobby with Fastrack and I like it so far. Right now I'm experimenting with layouts for a 4' X 8' with a 4' X 4' dog leg.