Anybody cut Fastrack to fit?

[SleeperN06]

I can’t seem to get a section of Fastrack to fit and I was thinking that maybe I could cut two small pieces of track to fit together by butting them up against each other.  I was wondering if anybody has tried this and if there is anything I need to watch for.

[riverrailfan]

I believe CTT ran a article a few years back showing how to do this. They cut a section from the middle of a 10in track and then epoxied the two end sections back together in the length they needed. I don't remember the saw they used but something in a power saw that will keep everything square and a blade that will cut through metal. I don't remember if they soldered the track rails or soldered wires underneath to make electrical connections for the rails.

[RockIsland52]

Don't they sell small straight sections to close gaps that are between 1 3/8 and 1 5/8  inches?  Might be a cheaper and easier alternative than sacrifcing a complete section.

Jack

[PhilaKnight]

Fast Track is not as versitile as the old Tubular stuff.  I will never use Fastrack. I got some with the Hogwarts Express Set and was not impressed with it. If you are reading this Lionel bring back Super-O

[SleeperN06]

Thanks this is very interesting.

I tried every combination off pieces and on the 1^st two layouts and I could not get it to work. I probably will go back to the tubular idea. I just thought maybe I could use some of the fastrack that I already have.

I was thinking of using a hacksaw and screwing them to a piece of wood. I didn’t think of using epoxy to fasten them together, but I like that because the section is on a bridge and I would rather use one of the metal truss bridges I already have instead of the plywood. Maybe I can glue the pieces to the bridge.

I’m not too worried about soldiering them together because I can electrically connect them with the tabs underneath.  The section I’m tiring to fill is a 28 3/32" so I have room for wires.

As I go along I keep discovering different alternates. I originally was going to have a simple dog bone with an 8 foot lift bridge in the center to rise up out of the way for access to my back yard. I still like that idea because it would allow me train storage without removing them from the track when not in use.

This morning I woke up with a new idea of moving the entire layout to the other side. I haven’t worked out the details, but a dogbone will not work and it will be a little shorter.

This is what I’m looking at so far.

(Plan C removed because doesn't fit)

[Anonymous]

Bob Nelson, or another forumite, created a spreadsheet that had all the different combinations that were possible. Hopefully they will post this again!

[SleeperN06]

DJSpanky

One possibility is that Lionel produces a FasTrack piece to transition to tubular.  You could get two of these transition pieces, then cut the tubular track to your desired length and use that.

Now that’s an idea. I actually have some transition pieces that I bought a few years ago.

I just measured for plan “C” again and discovered a window cove that I forgot about so I have to refigure it. 

I think I’m going to abandon Plan A & B because I have an 8 ft Spa that I need to move 1^st. I have to pour a 10x10 slab to move the spa and that’s going to take a while. So, now it’s Plan “D” as soon as I figure it out.

I also, want to see that spreadsheet.

[lionelsoni]

These are all the possible combinations of the standard 1 3/8, 1 3/4, 4 1/2, 5, and 10-inch pieces:

 1 3/8 = 1 3/8
 1 3/4 = 1 3/4
 2 3/4 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 3 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 3 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 4 1/8 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 4 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 4 1/2 = 4 1/2
 4 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 5     = 5
 5 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 5 1/2 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 5 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 5 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
 6 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 6 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4
 6 3/8 = 5 + 1 3/8
 6 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 6 3/4 = 5 + 1 3/4
 6 7/8 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 7     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 7 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 7 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 7 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 7 5/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 7 3/4 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 8     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 8     = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 8 1/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 8 1/4 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 8 3/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 8 1/2 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 8 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 8 5/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 8 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 9     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9     = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9     = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2
 9 1/8 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9 3/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9 3/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
 9 1/2 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9 1/2 = 5 + 4 1/2
 9 5/8 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
 9 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
 9 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
 9 7/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
10     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
10     = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
10     = 5 + 5
10     = 10
10 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
10 1/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
10 3/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
10 3/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
10 3/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
10 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
10 1/2 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
10 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
10 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
10 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4
10 7/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
10 7/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
11     = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
11 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
11 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
11 1/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
11 1/4 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4
11 3/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
11 3/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
11 3/8 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/8
11 3/8 = 10 + 1 3/8
11 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
11 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
11 5/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
11 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
11 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
11 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
11 3/4 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4
11 3/4 = 10 + 1 3/4
11 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
     
11 7/8 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12     = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
12 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
12 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
12 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
     
12 1/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 1/4 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 3/8 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
12 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
12 5/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 5/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
12 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 3/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
12 3/4 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 3/4 = 10 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
12 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
12 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
13     = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13     = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
13 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
13 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 1/8 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
13 1/8 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
13 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
13 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
13 1/4 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 3/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
13 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
13 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2
13 1/2 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
13 1/2 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
13 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
       + 1 3/8
13 5/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 5/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 3/4 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 3/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
13 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
13 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
13 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
14     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
       + 1 3/4
14     = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14     = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14     = 5 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2
14 1/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
14 1/8 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/8 = 10 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
14 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
14 3/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 3/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 5 + 5 + 4 1/2
14 1/2 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 1/2 = 10 + 4 1/2
14 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 5/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
     
14 5/8 = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
14 3/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 3/4 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
14 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
14 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
14 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
14 7/8 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
14 7/8 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
15     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15     = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
     
15     = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
15     = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15     = 5 + 5 + 5
15     = 10 + 5
15 1/8 = 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
15 1/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
15 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/4 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4
15 1/4 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
15 1/4 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
15 3/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
       + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
15 3/8 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
15 3/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 3/8 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
15 1/2 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/2 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/2 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
15 1/2 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 1/2 = 10 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 5/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 5/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
15 5/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
15 3/4 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
       + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
15 3/4 = 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
15 3/4 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 3/4 = 5 + 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4
15 7/8 = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 7/8 = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
     
15 7/8 = 5 + 5 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 7/8 = 5 + 5 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
15 7/8 = 10 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
15 7/8 = 10 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/8
16     = 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
16     = 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8
16     = 4 1/2 + 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4 + 1 3/4
16     = 5 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8 + 1 3/8
       + 1 3/8

Beyond these lengths, every 1/8-inch multiple can be gotten by one of these plus 5 or 10-inch pieces.

[SleeperN06]

lionelsoni

These are all the possible combinations of the standard 1 3/8, 1 3/4, 4 1/2, 5, and 10-inch pieces:

 

Thanks Bob, I’m to copy that into my track notes.

[bfskinner]

SleeperNO6, 

Several good ideas above.

Using lionelsoni's chart one can nearly always "fudge" 1/8 inch in a medium-to-large FasTrack layout. Often the fudging is best done somewhere on the layout that is not necessarily close to the section that didn't fit. That implies that you should fit the track first, then fasten it down.

The best source for detailed information on cutting FasTrack both across the rails and to narrow the track for snuggling  up against accessories ir over bridges, etc., is undoubtedly the Yahoo FasTrack Group owned/moderated by H. Michael Spanier. You have to register, but there is no charge.

The OGR forum discussed the cutting and splicing of FasTrack very recently recently. If you advance-search the archives of this forum using "cutting FasTrack" (with the quotation marks) you can find quite a bit more right here..

Some ideas include using a thin, fine-tooth blade, steel-cutting blade, and if using a table saw, radial-arm saw, miter-saw or chop-saw, try running the blade in reverse direction.

The one thing that you probably don't want to do is to bugger the ends that have the pins.

Where narrowing FasTrack is conerned, does everyone know certain FasTrack pieces, notably the Uncouple/Unload Section, the ballast sides will simply snap off  -- and snap back on should the need arise. With other sections especilly straight ones, the ballast is easily cut off .

.

 

[dwiemer]

With all the different available pieces, just about any combination can be made.  I have a multiple layer layout with several reversing loops.  There is a slight fudge factor in that when you have a large amount of track, you can do a little bending here and there.  With regard to the cutting, if you still must, some folks have used a regular table saw to cut rails and all, but with extreme caution.  Then, as mentioned, they epoxied the two halves.

Dennis

[SleeperN06]

I think this is what I’m shooting for but I’m still working out the track pieces.
I’m drawing this in XTrkCad, but unfortunately they don’t have much of a selection of O-scale track.

[bfskinner]

With a long narrow layout like that, it would seem that for just a bit more track and four switches, you could have "reversing loops" at each end and quadruple the  run before the train completely retraces it's path.

.

[SleeperN06]

bfskinner

With a long narrow layout like that, it would seem that for just a bit more track and four switches, you could have "reversing loops" at each end and quadruple the  run before the train completely retraces it's path.

Hmm, I like that. I’ll have to try to figure that out.

XTrakCad has all the Fastrack pieces, but not any tubular track and I need O-42 curves on the left side otherwise I’ll take too much room from my covered patio.