Fastrack Is Wonderful !!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll


I ordered 8 straight and 16 curved Fastrack Pieces, to see what it was like from Charles Ro Supply. It is wonderful. It is much more versitile and easier to use than my old 0-27 tubular track.

I highly recomennded it. Also, a CW-80 from Gryziboski's was ordered to, and it is just as good. The two go great togeather and I highly recommend both of them.

Now, all I need is the new ZW with powerhouses, then I will be set to build a great layout.

[Dr. John]

Glad you are happy with it. I have some that came with a docksider set but have not used it. Too set in my ways, I suppose.

[siberianmo]

Hi steel rails

I too have a layout with FasTrack - a considerable amount in fact. Anyway, your enthusiasm is refreshing. My hope is that your Post won't soon be "attacked" by the naysayers "lurkiing" in the shadows, waiting to "pounce"! [swg]

I too have a CW-80, and it is operating just fine. Again, there have been many reports (and I don't doubt for a second any of the valiidity of 'em) of these transformers causing major "Excedrin" headaches.

So, in this framework of "postiive/negative" let me chime in with this thought:
The Lionel 0-27 track of my childhood (1940s) is still "alive and well" into the 21st Century. One can only wonder if the FasTrack of today will have that kind of longevity!

Enjoy your hobby! [tup]

[gvdobler]

I too bought some. I'm setting up a figure 8. I wanted to get two switches (I know-turnouts) and cross from one side of the figure eight to the other.

If I measured right I have a gap of 50 3/4 inches of straight to cover which makes it 3/4 of an inch short and Fastrack doesn't "Fudge" very well.

Has anyone cut and joined Fastrack? I figured to cut a 10" down to 5 3/4" then with a 5" straight and two 10" pieces and the two switches (10" each) it should come out to span the gap without a "kink."

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[tcripe]

I've never cut Fastrack myself, but there was a how-to article in either CTT or its competitor. Basically, you make two cuts, the scrap being taken out of the middle and rejoin both end sections using plastic strips on the underside to bond the two sections together and then run connecting wires between the two glued halves.
- Terry

[Anonymous]

I think it was Jim Barret in the "other" mag that showed how to cut it down like Terry described above. There are little nubs about 3/8" long spaced along the roadbed that the tubular rails rest on. IMO the best (not easiest) way to cut it down is to remove the rails first by bending up the tabs on the underside of the track and “pushing” the rail up away from the roadbed, careful not to bend the rail. Cut a section out of the middle of the track to get the desired length of track then glue the roadbed back together. Then cut the rails so that the joint lines up on top of one the nubs so the rails won't deflect. A little careful planning is needed here so that the tabs on the rails align with the slots in the roadbed. The rail joints can even be staggered so as to not fall on the roadbed joint. Pu***he rails back down on to the roadbed, connect a jumper wire to one tab on either side of the cut rails to electrically connect them back together again. Pu***he tabs back down and you’re done.

Or you could just zap it with a chop saw!

[Anonymous]

I'll stop short of describing it as "wonderful," but I am using FasTrack for my Christmas layout this year and I really like the stuff. Far better than what I expected it to be prior to actually making a layout with it. Of the two available systems with built-in roadbed, I do prefer the FasTrack.

My FasTrack layout is on tables with a covering of marine deck carpeting (great stuff). Shortly, that will be overlayed with "snow" cloth of some sort (probably from Wally World) to give it a winter look. I have not found the sound/noise of FasTrack to be at all objectionable. I'm running a log train headed by a K-Line Porter locomotive this evening (about three feet from where I'm sitting), and all I really hear is a gentle click-click as wheels pass over the rail joints.

[IronHoarse]

I have Fastrack and love it also. The switches are great too. They work real smooth and my engines cross them like they were not even there. Keep on training!

[Anonymous]

In my own humble opinion, I think FasTrack will take people buying starter sets into full-blown layouts more than any train item ever invented. I also think the CW-80 transformer is just fine for smallish layouts. Any "new people" reading this...go for it ! I know that many "small" layouts featured in the "O" magazines show 4 ZW's lined-up, but I think this is more of a "ego trip" than an actual need.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joe0315

In my own humble opinion, I think FasTrack will take people buying starter sets into full-blown layouts more than any train item ever invented.

Thats what happend to me last Christmas!

[Brutus]

Here's a thought - Lionel could give away free track software with their starter sets using fasttrack....

I was thinking of doing something similar with a fig 8 with an outside loop... Don't care to cut this stuff down, though.

[Anonymous]

Use four ten inch pieces, two 4.5 inch pieces, and one 1.75 inch piece. Voila! 50.75 inches, and no cutting necessary.

Filling the odd-sized gaps between turnouts is what those small pieces were made for.

QUOTE: Originally posted by gvdobler

I too bought some. I'm setting up a figure 8. I wanted to get two switches (I know-turnouts) and cross from one side of the figure eight to the other.

If I measured right I have a gap of 50 3/4 inches of straight to cover which makes it 3/4 of an inch short and Fastrack doesn't "Fudge" very well.

[MartyE]

While I personally would never use it for a permanent layout, I love it to do floor layouts or temps. It is a winner in my book.

[Anonymous]

I've got it for a permanent layout running two train sets and it's great. I've got all my old tube rail in a box. It always gave me fits with connection issues and the fastrack never does. Like posted before, there are various "small" pieces that you can buy that will make up the exact size you need, I used them on my layout and it worked fine. One day I'll figure out how to post some pictures of my layout for all to see. It's nearing completion.

[siberianmo]

For: Houdy

That is one FINE layout you Posted! [tup]

Thanx!

[Kooljock1]

Yeah Houdy! Let's see some more shots of that layout!

Nice work.

Jon [8D]

[Jumijo]

I think FasTrack is wonderful as well. It has brought a whole new level of realism and ease of operation to starter sets. Hopefully the people who buy those starter sets will continue on in the hobby, based in part on the positive experience of using FasTrack.

Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Houdy

I think it was Jim Barret in the "other" mag that showed how to cut it down like Terry described above.

I have to say, I was annoyed when I saw that artical. For crying out loud, the track comes in 5 different lengths, 5 curve diam's, as well as partial curves! I doubt if many people are using FasTrack for LARGE/complex layouts, so why make this look more complex for "new" people than need be?
By the way Houdy, your layout looks great. I think Lionel is "missing the boat" by not showing actual FasTrack layouts in the catalog. Joe

[Jumijo]

Houdy,

Your layout does look great. And to think it was all from a train set last Christmas? You didn't waste any time! Very nice layout, and very inspiring. I started with a starter set last Christmas as well and my layout, although started, is no where near your point of completion.

Jim

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kooljock1

Yeah Houdy! Let's see some more shots of that layout!

Nice work.

Jon [8D]

[#ditto] Yes, more photos. What are you using to make the roads?

[Anonymous]

Have any other "FasTrack people" put a Lionel "Annimated Track Gang" on the end of one of your sidings? Looks/ works GREAT! Joe

[laz 57]

HOUDY,
Nice track plan get some more pics.
Like the upper level.
Lets see some shots of the other end.
laz57

[lmsjim]

Joe
Yes I put a track gang on my layout and even added a sound card to play track gang sounds. It is great. The link below shows how I did this.
http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/Lionel/Accessories/Track_Gang/Track_Gang.htm
Jim

[gvdobler]

escapecar

Thanks, I since realized the make a 5" and a 4 1/2 " piece. I overlooked that and that should work great.

Thanks

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jim Fortner

Here's a thought - Lionel could give away free track software with their starter sets using fasttrack....

I was thinking of doing something similar with a fig 8 with an outside loop... Don't care to cut this stuff down, though.

Jim - That's a great Idea. MTH has done that very thing for years in it's starter sets. [:D]

Howdy - Nice layout, please share some more pics of it and maybe a track plan. [8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kooljock1

Yeah Houdy! Let's see some more shots of that layout!

Nice work.

Jon [8D]

[#ditto] Yes, more photos. What are you using to make the roads?

Ok here are more pis but its nowhere near finished yet.
Thanks for the compliments but I have seem much much better posted here.

Actually the roads are just some thick paper I cut up to see where the roads are going to be put permanently. I need a few more buildings and then those will determine the real location of the roads. And then I will fini***he town in the middle and the yard near the log loader. I haven’t done much on it lately (but run trains). This is the second try, I started over again about 6 months ago and added the upper and lower (hidden) loop.
There are a lot of details that I want to add but with Christmas coming the kids are going to get more toys than me. (although I have been salivating over a Lionmaster Challenger at the LHS on a weekly basis)








I scratched built the station and Billy Bobs

[laz 57]

HOUDY,
Looks like you got a winner there. Real nice look to it.
Keep up the good work.
What is the layout dimensions?
laz57

[Anonymous]

FasTrack is alright, but then again, good luck getting me to denounce Lionel.
I always have preferred Lionel's tubular track to its new FasTrack.
That's just one man's opinion.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by laz 57

HOUDY,
Looks like you got a winner there. Real nice look to it.
Keep up the good work.
What is the layout dimensions?
laz57

Thanks Laz, it's 8x14, If I could get my wife to quit parking her car in my train room it would be twice as big[:)]

Millersburg huh? I grew up near Pittsburgh/Greensburg, and lived out in Carlise and Hanover for a few years. I do miss that area.

[laz 57]

HOUDY,
The area is still the same only has more shopping centers,mall,etc.
I'm trying to convince my wife into getting a bigger house or just get all the stuff out of the basement to be real happy. At least we can keep on pestering and maybe someday get our way?
Keep us posted you have a GREAT look to it. Congrats!!!!!
laz57