Another Fastrack question

[dwiemer]

Has anyone tried to use the fastrack -O transition piece to O-27? I am wondering if I will be able to use all this old track that I have on the new layout. If you have, did you have to modify it in any way? Thanks, Dennis[X-)]

[Roger Bielen]

I starded to change to Fastrack around the CHRISTmas tree this year and instead of buying the transition pieces, that I eventually will not need, I made my own.

I first removed the pins fron the Fastrack, loosen the tabs and pop out the pins, and inserted O-27 pins, wedge tight with pieces of solder. The sencond phase is a bit more complicated. Taking a piece of O-27 I trimmed the rail lengths to compensate for the stagger on the Fastrack, I think it was 3/16" and 5/16". Shim the O-27 to suite and your ready to go.

This way when I get all Fastrack I just convert the two sections by replacing the pins and toss the O-27 into the box with all my other old track.

[Anonymous]

The "transition" piece is really to connect FasTrack to other "O" track (not 027, due to its lower profile). If your layout needs 027 curves, FasTrack is probably not for you. By the way, my layout is FasTrack, and I love it. Joe

[Anonymous]

You just need to shim the O-27 stuff up to match the railhead height (top of the rails). The pins used in O are larger diameter than O-27 so take an O style pins and chuck it in a variable speed drill. Using a file, carefully grind down one half of the O pin to match an O-27 pin. Put the machined pin in the O-27 piece of track and then attach the shimmed O-27 track to the FastTrack adapter section. If there is a Gragraves dealer nearby, you could get the Gargraves pin adapter and use that. You may have to crimp the GG pin onto the O-27 section as the GG pins are slightly different shape.

[dwiemer]

Thanks for all the great ideas. No dealers down this way, so I will have to order over the phone. I will let you know how it comes out.
Dennis[:)]