Lionel Fastrack

[HO-Velo]

Hello,

Want to pass down a family tradition to my son and grandson's and help them get an old Lionel train set running around their Christmas tree this year.  But new track is needed, so, considering getting them some of the new Lionel Fastrack.  Will the Lionel 027 early 60s era locomotive and rolling stock run okay on the new style Fastrack?

Thanks and regards,  Peter

  

[Firelock76]

Ceertainly they will, no problems at all.  I use FasTrack myself, both for old and new trains.  Mind you, the old-style lockons won't work, so be sure to purchase new FasTrack wiring as well.

[HO-Velo]

Thanks for the help Firelock76.  I'll get to ordering some Fastrack soon.

regards,  Peter

[Firelock76]

You're welcome sir!

Wayne

[ADCX Rob]

HO-Velo

Will the Lionel 027 early 60s era locomotive and rolling stock run okay on the new style Fastrack?

Here is a variety of Lionel trains from 1938 on up that we ran on Fastrack last Christmas at our house:

watch?v=0pkAsrJgfTk

[Firelock76]

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, but maybe you know this anyway, is the minimum curve for FasTrack is 036, that's a wider radius than the old 027, so leave plenty of extra space under the tree.

[Demay]

Firelock76

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, but maybe you know this anyway, is the minimum curve for FasTrack is 036, that's a wider radius than the old 027, so leave plenty of extra space under the tree.

FasTrack now comes in 031 (6-37103) which will please many folks with limited space.

Joe

[Buckeye Riveter]

Rob....Nice!!! 

[sparks32]

Haven't seen the new 0-31 Fastrack yet but have been told it's a larger radius than the MTH Realtrax 0-31 and that the outside of the 0-31 fits right against the inside of the 0-36 & may even overlap it a bit if you don't expand the outside track a bit, but like I said I haven't seen it but you may want to research it out. Anyone on the forum know if this is true?

[ADCX Rob]

sparks32

Haven't seen the new 0-31 Fastrack yet but have been told it's a larger radius than the MTH Realtrax 0-31...   Anyone on the forum know if this is true?

It is larger than MTH and Lionel O-31(which are both 14.14" center-line radius).  The Fastrack O-31 follows Fastrack geometry rules and is 15.5" center-line radius on 4" wide roadbed.

[lionelsoni]

The radius of Lionel tubular O31 is 14.142 inches (10*sqrt(2)).  This results from the 10-inch length of the straight section.  The radius was set so that the single 45-degree section of track that is part of a turnout, diverging from a straight main line, followed by a single 45-degree section of track curved in the opposite direction, would result in track joints aligned between the main line and the siding.

This radius implies that the length of a curved O31 section, between the ends of the center rail, is 10.824 inches (20*sqrt(2)*sin(22.5 degrees) ), which is what I measure it to be.  If the radius were 14.4 inches, the length would be 11.021 inches, noticeably longer.

The actual diameter of a circle of O31 track, to the ends of the ties according to the Lionel tradition, is twice the radius plus the 2.25-inch tie length.  This comes to 30.534 inches, only slightly closer to 31 inches than to 30, which is why it is sometimes called O30 instead of O31.

[Cobrabob8]

When I built my new layout beginning in 2009 I chose to use Lionel's new FasTrack System. I have been VERY satisfied with this product and find it to be quite reliable. I did not put any roadbed under my track. I actually enjoy the rumble of my big trains! You see, I was into HO from my early teens to about 18 when I stopped "playing" trains.

Cobrabob.

[Cobrabob8]

Below is a photo from late 2009 when all track was in place and all three loops were operational. There was no scenery done yet. The layout uses 036, 048 and 060 curved sections. In the right rear corner, where the double track mainline is, there is now a mountain and tunnel under construction.

Cobrabob.

Here is a view of the tunnel and mountain which are under construction.