NuB here, need some advice on what track to use.

[Anonymous]

I recently purchased a nice starter set from Lionel for my son (4) and I. I also have a nice 4' X 8' table in the garage I want to use for a layout. I know that may not be the best size, but for my purpose it should be fine. I may eventually expand to another 4' X 8' in an "L" shaped layout after I see how this one goes.

I really like the FasTrack that came with the set, however that stuff isn't cheap. I am now considering using O27 track and laying the roadbed and ballast myself. Obviously, this would be a much cheaper route.?.?.?

I can still run the train with my son on the FasTrack oval until the main layout is done.

Since I've never done this before, is laying the track by hand hard to do? If not, where can I find some step-by-step directions that can guide me through the whole process??

I'm a little overwhelmed by the price of the FasTrack and the time and effort of the O27. Unfortunately, economics will play a large part in my decision....along with creating a layout that looks nice and authentic.

You guys are a wealth of knowledge. I appreciate all the help and advice you can give.

thanks in advance.

SG

[spankybird]

For this being your first layout, hand laying track may be very aggrieve. Why not use 027 tube track or GarGraves tube track? Both are much more cost effective than Fastrack.

BTW, my layout is done with 027 tube track, extra ties added and ballast added.


click on the pic to enlarge it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!!
Sorry, O27 tube track is what I meant.

Well, there's proof at how much of a novice I am.

[1688torpedo]

Hello Scott ! Your Train/ Hobby shop should have some Books that deal with Track Layouts that can help you out.Also, O-27 Track is less expensive than Fast-Track and if that is what you want to do then that is your decision. Quite a few Members here on this forum have created some very nice layouts using O-27 Track and one of them lives down the street from me.(Spankybird) You should go to his profile and view his layout in order to give you some ideas as to how to lay track and scenery. Good Luck.

[Jumijo]

Scott,

For almost 100 years, people have used O and O27 track with success. Yeah, it's the cheapest to buy, but my experience with it wasn't happy. It's hard to connect so that the two pieces but tightly together. You almost have to wear gloves to keep your hands from being cut on the sharp metal. It looks aweful. I got so frustrated with it, I switched to FasTrack, and haven't regretted it. On the positive side, as I mentioned, very cheap, and it allows for more track configurations on a 4x8 table.

FasTrack is EASY to assemble and stays together. No need to ballast and glue. No shedded hands putting it together. Looks great and conducts very well. You don't have to fasten it to the table - it won't move. Some people say it's loud, and as you said, it does cost more. Shop around to find good prices. I think the benefits of FasTrack far outway the difference in cost.

Our layout is L-shaped. 41/2 x 8, then 41/2 x 10. I extended each table's width by 6" to accomodate a 48" wide outer loop and an inner loop of 36". To be honest, I didn't have to buy many additional pieces at all. Less than $50 worth to be sure. I used the track included in the 4 sets I bought this past year. Gives you a good excuse to purchase more sets, huh? All I had to buy were a few straights and small filler tracks. I also bought a switch.

Jim

[Anonymous]

If your layout is only 4x8, or even if you want to add a "L"...and you are worried about the cost difference in track...this may not be the "right" hobby for you. I'm not trying to be mean or smart-***, but I think, "down the road", this cost will seem pretty small. You said you already have some FasTrack, and you like it (so do I), so why not use it? Respectfully, Joe

[phillyreading]

027 track may cost less but does not look as good as Fast Track or GarGraves track,
but there are some ways to make it look better. Three R plastics makes ties for use under the track, the web site is: www.3r-plastics.com
Far as hand laying track in O Gauge or 027, one comment: most frustrating thing to try!!
GarGraves web site:wwwGarGraves.com
One thing about GarGraves is that there are NO insulating pins made just for GarGraves track, so I use K-Line S Gauge insulating pins and shave them down with an x-acto knife. If you like GarGraves track also check out Ross Custom Switches as they sell products related to GarGraves and Z-Stuff, web site www.rossswitches.com

[lionelsoni]

I use popsicle sticks, which you can buy in quantity from hobby stores, cut to length (2 inches) and then painted, for O27 ties. They are 3/8-inch wide, narrower than the 1/2-inch O27 tie tops. However, it is difficult to notice the difference in the ballasted track; and the overall impression is of a narrower tie. Even so, 3/8 inch is twice the proper scale width! Since the metal ties are much too wide, adding very slightly narrower ties in-between seems to give an overall impression of a more realistic width.

[FJ and G]

In the past, I have used real sticks. Then switched to lauan (this photo) with 027 rails.

Now I use cedar ties outside.

[Anonymous]

You have the FasTrack that came with your set, and I would recommend staying with FasTrack. It won't take all that much more track to give you a decent layout on that 4x8 board, and even though FasTrack is a bit more costly than regular tubular track, it's also worth the extra cost in terms of what you get. Buy enough straight sections to expand the basic oval to fit your layout, and consider adding a switch or two (manual will be fine if your layout is situated so you can reach them), and a few more sections of curved and/or straight track to form spurs or a passing siding. If you can stretch the budget a bit, you might also buy the FasTrack Operating Crossing Signal accessory--a really nice-working addition to any FasTrack layout.

Track is really one of the least expensive items in the hobby, and it's also one of the most important items. Solid, reliable trackwork will pay for itself many times over in terms of the overall satisfaction you'll get from running your train. FasTrack is a great way to go for someone just starting out.

[MartyE]

I agree with Allan. The Fast Track that came with my Polar Express last year only pursuaded me to get more. Personally I probably wouldn't use it on a permanent layout intended to run bigger scale trains I think you'd do fine by your boy to expand the Fast Track inventory on the layout you're building.

[LS1Heli]

I agree. Use the fastrack. Its not like your filling up a 40 by 40 basement here. After several layouts over a period of 20yrs I got completely burned out with 027 and regular 0 and all it's different radius.

After using the fast track I could not believe the ease of assembly and most of all the operation...what a difference when you operate trains on "tinplate" track for 20yrs and then you try this stuff.

Everything lines up correctly, no cut hands or warped ties. Always seems that with O the ties were comming loose poor conductivity poor look, tighten this pin tighten that pin....it's just old technology.

If you think fastrack is expensive then plain and simply your looking in the wrong spot. My LHS has fastrack for $3.69 a piece...thats retail from Lionel! You would have to be a complete [:o)] to pay that! They also have fastrack switches (remote) for $70.00. Go to www.islandtrains.com where they have the exact same thing for $42.00 and no tax!!! And the track is just as cheap. Its not hard to lay the track I just drill a little pilot hole and screw in a brand new phillips head wood screw..can not remember the size.

I use the fastrack on a large permenant layout. I run everything from the basic 027 sets of the 60's to the Lionel scale 700E and N & W from 2005. Fastrack is not for beginners..027 is.