I'm a 'Tubular' track guy BUT there is an "element" (the parties in which shall remain nameless) that is proposing a new layout using FasTrack. The initial plan calls for 4 switches and about 80 pieces of track. After doing the "math", . At this point, the idea is all but dead.......at least in my book.....however, I thought I'd ask: Do you know of any reliable outlet that sells FasTrack below "list"? As always, many thanks.
It can be quite pricey, butttttt, it does have some positive elements that one has to take into account. The included trackbed makes it easier for more realistic looks (if that is important to you). The positive locking between tracks make it less likely that the tracks will separate. The turnouts are great in that they work very well, look realistic, and require very little voltage to operate so that unless you have a large pike, track power is enough.
OK, now that that is said, it still doesn't reduce the price. Ebay has proven to have some good prices...sometimes. WWW.Ridgeroadstation.com has some good prices, and I believe Justrains has some good pricing. This past year, Lionel had a price increase across the board, so that doesn't help when trying to start a layout. One great thing that has come recently is that the turnouts have command capability allowing you to designate switching from the Legacy remote. I don't personally have the newer turnouts, so you would be well served to check with someone more knowledgeable in this area.
Lastly, there is a Yahoo group for Fastrack. Lots of smart folks there, including the engineer who came up with Fastrack. Well worth joining and asking questions there and here too. Good Luck.Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Thanks Dennis.
I stuck to Tubular track. Had Fastrack come with set I bought and was not impressed. Prewar engines I had bottomed out and it was noisy when run on my floor. You can't cut it for specific lengths. I used tubular and put extra wooden ties and ballasts it.
Thanks, Dennis, for the link! SOmthing good to check out, especially when is tcn same som $$$
PhilaKnight You can't cut it for specific lengths.
You can't cut it for specific lengths.
Please do a little research before you post a "universal" assertion like this. In the first place, you seldom need to cut FasTrack because it has so many fitter-pieces available.*
Should there be a need to cut it, a proven technique has been widely discussed on at least three forums, including this one. It takes a bit more care than cutting tubular track, but it's not brain surgery either.
* See a chart posted by Bob "lionelsoni" Nelson within the last few days on this forum.
.
How much do you want to pay for the straights? curves? switches? Then I can answer the question.
Mike Spanier
PS There is a recently completed spreadsheet of FasTrack costs on the Yahoo Group.
I'm glad Mike already informed you about the price list in the Yahoo group, it is very beneficial.
As for hobby stores to get a good deal: Our local Hobby Lobby carries some Lionel items to include Fastrack. They are normally priced at Lionel's list price; however, just about every Sunday in our town's local newspaper Hobby Lobby has a coupon for 40% off one item. They also run the coupon on their webpage. So I buy one item at a time every couple weeks or so when I get a coupon. I have saved significantly buying Ready to Run sets, Expansion Packs, and the Figure 8 Add On pack just to name a few. The only downside is that because our Hobby Lobby is somewhat small they do not have a huge selection of items and they cannot order any either.
If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby I suggest you check them out.
Joe
Thanks to all for your input. We'll see!
traindaddy1I'm a 'Tubular' track guy BUT there is an "element" (the parties in which shall remain nameless) that is proposing a new layout using FasTrack. The initial plan calls for 4 switches and about 80 pieces of track. After doing the "math", . At this point, the idea is all but dead.......at least in my book.....however, I thought I'd ask: Do you know of any reliable outlet that sells FasTrack below "list"? As always, many thanks.
IMHO, if you are a "Tubular" track guy stick with what you are familiar with. Especially if you have some on hand. Nothing wrong with that.
I keep reading about the prohibitive relative cost of FasTrack. I used tubular for five decades. And it occured to me that if you consider the cost per year and the fact that track is used every second you are operating/playing, then track and switches may not be in the top 2 or 3 on the list of most expensive things on the board. But I may have missed the posts about track wearing out or in need of expensive repair/replacement.
Some folks look at the acquisition costs and go no further. Personally, I'd rather start out using the track brand as the base/foundation of all that is to come and put off other expenditures until I can afford them. We'll drop $250-$600 on a single engine and balk at a similar expenditure for track and switches? Does that make sense?
Jack
PS: I am a planner. I appreciate all the gifts I receive for B-Days, Father's Day, and Christmas. It is the thought that counts.
But I have started to redirect those well-meaning thoughts to something other than my 35th sweater and other articles of clothing I can buy for myself without guilt. So I take the "guilt items" and casually talk about them (train items of course) throughout the year.
Back to FasTrack.......wifey knows I go to Northeast Trains and it just so happens I "accidentally" left lying by the PC an 8.5" X 11" diagram of a simple 036 loop, including the exact number of track pieces I needed for the 4' x 8' plywood board we use as a Christmas tree base/Christmas layout. As luck (inevitability) would have it, she saw the piece of paper. Sure, she asked me what was wrong with the old track. I explained I was tired of fiddling with the old track. The FasTrack would dress things up quite a bit and eliminate loose track, power dropoffs, etc., but I would just have to make due for another year. Poor me.. Now my wife isn't dumb, and SHE owns the space under the tree. I am just a humble squatter there with my trains alongside her lighted village pieces, her nativity scene, et al. She must have approved of the aesthetic and functional possibilities of the new track because guess what Santa brought me, and it was three weeks early! I really do miss the pajamas, socks, underwear, and another fleece or two that was probably in my future.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Check out Gargraves track, a very looking and reliable track system and is affordable.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Here is what I did. I drew up the plan for my new layout and counted up all of the different pieces I would need. I took my list of track that I would need to my local Lionel dealer along with my most recent issue of CTT. I showed the hobby shop owner "the big guy's" price list and asked if he would meet or beat those prices. He did that for me, so I ordered all of my track from him and got a great deal. It works if you try it! My layout has 8 switch tracks, 036, 048, 060 curves and countless sizes of straight track pieces. I made my own accesory activator extension pieces out of regular track by taking the strip of metal from the underside of the track that connects the outside rails. I made my own feeder wires also which are placed about every six to eight feet.
Cobrabob.
Toy Trains, they are not just an adventure, they are a way of life !
sir james ICheck out Gargraves track, a very looking and reliable track system and is affordable.
I did. You are right, looks good and price is good too. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with small radius curves. Although I see they have 042 remote switches and only 50 bucks.
Now I seen this which is even tighter than 027 !!! http://www.josephrampolla.com/GarGraves.html
Sorry, didn't want to jack your thread.
Well, first of all, thanks to everyone. The discussion continues........
Cobrabob: This is a side note. I have built quite a few different layouts over the years and for the most part, have used scrap lumber. I enjoy the challenge but I always admire those who use the prime stuff.
Nice job.
Cobrabob8 ..... nice ... verrrry nice . Looks extremely heavy duty and stable .
One little add guys ... use some plastic tubing under to feed your wires through ... some guys have even used cut off sections of old plastic water hose you may have .... or you can get it at a local farm and family or home depot by the foot with a few conduit or copper pipe brackets ... I'd use copper brackets to hold it up/on ..... why I say spend a few pennies more for the copper ones = they don't rust or corrode .... keeps all that wire spaghetti up and safe .... and much neater if you have to crawl under .... then you don't have them hanging or danger of stapling them by accident ..... add a few extra strings in it for future ... for easy feeding of more wiring ... then you can just fish them through .... .... makes a heck of a neat job .
You can also try www.goldenknighthobby.com
I met this young man in Deland a few weeks ago and if you sign up on the Yahoo Fastrack group, he will
discount it even more. I'll be doing business with him soon.
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
I got a great deal on my Fastrack. I think I paid about $2.15 per piece and the turnouts were well below retail as well. Even with a great deal, I still paid over $3000.00 for all the Fastrack. I started off with a big plan and got all the track at one clip. There are a number of ways to reduce the cost over-all. You can use some transition pieces to allow for tubular track for all areas that are not seen. You can also use manual turnouts for reversing loops. The loops I have I kept with control so I can vary direction.
Dennis
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