Fastrack vs. Tubular. I know, I know...

[magicman710]

No problem zeke, its commonly spelled that way.

[jchase1970]

I try to buy used track if I find a good deal on it.  But, whenever I want new track I buy online from Trainexpress they seem to have the cheapest price and free shipping on orders over $200.00.

 

 

[phillyreading]

Dave Farquhar,

Thanks for the info! The hobby stores you mentioned are in northeast & northwest FL or about a six hour drive one way from West Palm Beach area. All that Hobby Lobby carries is sets or Fastrac by Lionel, track has 2003/05 stock numbers on it.  I will stay with the hobby stores in Lantana or Ft. Lauderdale or Miami FL, these are about 20 minutes to 70 minutes away from me.

Florida is a rather large state far as square miles go, Pennsacola is about seven hours by car one way, Jacksonville is almost six hours one way by car. Can not convince the wife to go to these areas for just a hobby purchase.

I am not too pleased with internet buying, at least not ebay!! Rather buy from ChooChoo auctions.com.

Lee F.

[chuck]

He said the reason is because lionel requires them to have a layout set up and running, all the time.

There are various levels of dealership and one of them does require an operating layout.  The minimum definition of a layout means a loop of track and a transformer on a permament table.   It does not have to be scenicked or have operating accessories.  You take a picture of the layout showing it to be in a store and mail it for approval.  If you want to be an authorized service center there are additional requirements.

[rogruth]

I live just west of Savannah and I do buy some things from Bull Street Station.Very little O gauge in stock but she will order anything for you [at list price]. The owner models in N and is a very nice lady .She does depend on the art school to keep open.I get most of my stuff from Hollash Trains at Riverview[Tampa area].There were other places in Savannah but  they have been closed for sometime.

[phillyreading]

DJSpanky,

I did not order my track directly from Lionel but from a hobby store in Jupiter FL back in January. The hobby store guy said he orders stuff from a Lionel vendor rather than from Lionel directly as he can order what he wants or his customers want and not get what Lionel wants to send to him, which means not being stuck with high dollar Lionel items that just sit in his store.

Maybe next time if there is a next time to order track that is what I will do.  Currently I am using Gargraves track and switches but want the Lionel issue of Super Streets by K-Line otherwise I would not order track.

About ordering track via the net you can save on large orders however the shipping can be equal to your savings if the stuff weighs a lot.

Lee F.

[mpzpw3]

Just some information. Hobby Lobby has the 40% off coupon this week on-line. I purchased a 4-pack of fastrack curves. $17.99 regularly, $10.79 with coupon. Tomorrow I will buy another pack, and send the wife in Friday (Yes, I do have a job, just a strange work week!). Was also able to pick up a couple K-line snap switches for under $10.00 apiece, and some snap track for about $.50 apiece, and a remote section for $1.00. All on clearence!

[phillyreading]

Just some information. Hobby Lobby has the 40% off coupon this week on-line. I purchased a 4-pack of fastrack curves. $17.99 regularly, $10.79 with coupon. Tomorrow I will buy another pack, and send the wife in Friday (Yes, I do have a job, just a strange work week!). Was also able to pick up a couple K-line snap switches for under $10.00 apiece, and some snap track for about $.50 apiece, and a remote section for $1.00. All on clearence!

The Hobby Lobby I checked out on line in north Florida had only a few Lionel sets and some Lionel Fastrac from 2003.

Lee F.