Lionel Fastrack Attachment

[seasonalrailfan]

I want to attach Fastrack to the base plywood but with a layer of foam board under the track for noise reduction. It seems as though the perfect size wood screw for the track holes is a #4, but I am not able to find long enough ones (say 1 1/4" or so) in that size. #6 screws seem to stick up too high. What does everybody use for this? This is just a temporary layout.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

[8ntruck]

Fastrack stays together pretty well for me.  I have what might be called a 'long term temporary' Fastrack layout set up on a ping pong table.  I have been running it for about three years without fastening it down without any problems.  Then again, I don't run my trains at warp speed, which might make the track tend to move around a bit.

If you do decide to fasten your layout down, you will do OK to only put a fastener every three or four sections.

You might try a Fastenall store for the screws you are looking for.  Fastenall specializes in all kinds of fasteners, mainly selling to industry, but most of their outlet stores will sell retail.  

Good luck. 

[servoguy]

I am sure you can get the screws from McMaster Carr.  You would have to order them.  McMaster has everything!!!

Bruce Baker

[Demay]

I used 1" long #4 screws.  My foam is glued to the plywood and the screws are long enough to secure the Fastrack to the foam.  As previously stated, Fastrack stays put pretty well on its own so you only need a few well-placed screws.  Also, you don't want your screws to go through the foam and into the plywood; that would defeat the noise reduction purpose of the foam.

I bought my screws as Lowe's. 

Regards,

Joe

[dwiemer]

As stated above, Mcmasters has the screws...as you describe, 1.25" long #4s do the trick.  What I did was to use extruded foam over plywood, then sill seal foam insulation (4"x50') rolls from Lowe's.  Then, I screwed the track down.  However, I used caulk on the sides of the roadbed and then removed the screws.  It keeps the track very quiet, comparatively that is.  The track does not move, but I think it would have stayed in place regardless of any screws or caulk....it is that rigid.

Dennis

[Texas Pete]

Double-stick tape. Temporary, effective.

 

Pete