Which Track to use?

[JFermani]

With any luck this year, I will be remodeling my basement so I can build a permanent layout down there. I currently have a 7 1/2 x 11 foot table setup with just some track on it so I can test and play until the real layout is built. I'm primarily a Lionel guy and have only bought Lionel track. I was wondering about fasttrack for my new layout. How noisy is it? I like the look of the road bed but I wonder if it will be too noisy to enjoy the sounds of the locs. I am also wondering about accessories. I have a lot of track accessories (infared dectors, cattle cars) which are designed to work with tubular track. Can these be fitted to work with fast track? Should I consider gargarves or other manufatures? What are some of your experiences? I am not above having a tinplate track and running scale pieces on them. I just want a good track system with low noise and good reliable switches.

Joe

[Big_Boy_4005]

We have been talking about Fastrack for a couple of months now. I have gathered all of the different topics, and provided the links in a single place. I call this is the "Encyclopedia of Fastrack", everything we know about the product so far. There are even some pictures along the way, but mostly very interesting reading, including some fairly strong opinoins, and some important discoveries and observations.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12436
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11387
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11805
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11722
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11743
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11600
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12044
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12253

I think that we have learned a lot from our discussions here and perhaps it time to move on to other things.

I would not recommend this product to anyone. Many of your track based accessories will not work directly with Fastrack, and you will have to use adapter tracks.

The track produtcs that I would recommend are, K-line Shadow Rail and SuperSnap, Gargraves track and Ross switches, Atlas, and good old fashioned tubular O and 027, by Lionel and K-line.

[brianel027]

Once again, Elliot said it well.

Much of your decision Joe will boil down to cost and what you want to run. I personally like 027 track, but the electric switches have severe limitations - K-Line has recently redesigned their 027 switch with a much much smaller housing - and it's much better than the Lionel one. You won't have the clearance problems with the K-Line one as you will with the Lionel 027 switch. Keep in mind 027 track suggested list prices have been reduced and the switches and curves are available in other larger diameters: 42" for switches - 42" and 54" diameter on curve tracks.

Tubular 0 might be your best choice on economics and switches. But Gargraves isn't too far off... nice track, good looking, and economical compared to other nicer track types. Gargraves did redesign their switches a few years ago.

Again, it comes down to what you like, how much you want to spend, and the kinds of trains you'll be running. If you have the money, Atlas O is very nice. And the Cutis and Ross switches are hard to beat.

[Anonymous]

I am a tubular guy. The old Lionel track is for nonscale runners like me. [2c]

The new fastrack looks good but I have not used it.

Dave

[ChiefEagles]

Leaning toward K-Loine Shadow Rail and SuperSnap Track. Got lots of old 027 track and switches tha tI will use for yards and etc. Plan on using SuperSnap switches and converter track to Shadow Rail for main lines.

[Anonymous]

I have been very happy with good old basic 027 profile track. I use 042 rad and K-line switches. My track is a mixture of K-line and Lionel brands.
I have it scewed down to my layout, which is simply covered in green carpet.
This makes it very easy to change layout designs in the future.[:)]

[johnnyc]

I used Atlas track for my layout . The track is excellent , super smooth compared to tubular . The switches are not the greatest but they work . Only real draw back is availability , no local stores carry it . I've had to mailorder for everything .

If I had to do it again I'd go with tubular Lionel , only because most train stores and hobby shops will carry it . johnnyc

[JFermani]

Since I had Lionel tubular, I was originally leaning towards that but then I heard about fasttrack and it looked cool. After I heard of a few reports about noise I became concerned and I also realized that some of my existing accessories would not work with it - Infared detectors, cattle cars etc. I also like 072 size curves because it allows for running trains faster and the more scale stuff looks good on it. but I have heard issues with Lionel's 072 switches. From what I have heard/read so far i guess I will shy away from fasttrack and look seriously at Lionel tubular or Gargraves or Atlas. Thanks for the help so far.

Joe

[eZAK]

For what it's worth I use Gargraves track and a mix of Ross, and 'New' Gargraves switches.

They work for me.

[Anonymous]

I was a traditional tubular track guy and have just rebuilt my 12 x 16 ft L shaped layour using FASTRAK. Overall, I'm very pleased. It seems to be the perfect balance between realism and ease of use. Some of your larger engines like the CC 773 Hudson will be able to negotiate the O-36 curves. I want to try my CCII Niagara on the O-48 curves when they come out.