Lionel measures the Fastrak curves from center rail to center rail. I think almost all other curved track is measured from outside tie to outside tie. There is an active "Lionel Fastrak" group over at Yahoo Groups. At least one of the engineers from Lionel is a member of the group and monitors it. A few years ago I mentioned the odd numbers (3) of sections of 048 curves needed to make 1/4 of a circle and the need for a 1/2 length 048 curve. The Lionel engineer responded and they were selling them within a year. Other different sizes have been added based on customer demand. Join the group and ask,,, and also email Lionel with your request.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
I had the same issue as you. I really wanted to use fastrack but only had room for O54. Sadly Lionel never made fastrack in this diameter. I think it had something to do with the fact the plastic roadbed takes up more space. I think if is was O-54, the added width of the roadbed would not let it sit well next to the O-48 which is the next smallest size. In fact, I think the roadbed is the reason they do -36 instead of classic O-31 and O-48 instead of O-42 in Fastrack, although I may be wrong.
"No childhood should be without a train!"
Did Lionel make the Fastrack with 0-54 curves? The 0-60 will not fit on my 5 by 9 table so I'm looking for 0-54 and can't seem to locate any. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Phil.
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