The Lionel FasTrack Book by Robert Schleicher

[lionelsuperotrack]

Just received the FasTrack book which is exclusively FasTrack and 158 pages of that. $20 on Amazon and free shipping if you purchase over $25 so I purchased the Warman's Lionel Train Field Guide (many items displayed on FasTrack, peculiar size and lots of photos and info) for $10. Therefore, no shipping charges:

There are 12 chapters that cover:

1. Track Layouts for Lionel Electric Trains
2. Lionel FasTrack System
3. Operating Two-Trains and TrainMaster Control Command
4. Track and Accessories
5. FasTrack on a 5x9 Ping-Pong Table
6. Planning your FasTrack layout
7. Double-Track Layouts for Two Trains
8. Layouts to Allow Reversing Trains
9. Do-It-Yourself Layout Design
10. Tabletop Layouts for Room-Size Spaces
11. Layouts for the Floor
12. Yard and Industrial Layouts

My preliminary evaluation is that it is worth it. I will be reading it in detail. It portrays FasTrack as more for the "you and me person" rather then the super scale modeler which is true in my view.

Very best, Mike

Lionel_FasTrack_System Yahoo Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/ )

[thatboy37]

based on your reviews and what you posted i cant wait for my book to get here. i ordered i saturday through amazon just like you. if you dont mind me asking how long did it take for you to receive your magazine. im really anxious to receive mine since you say it seems its worth it. you did say its a 150 some odd pages oh yeah im really getting anxious.

thatboy37 aka reggie

[lionelsuperotrack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by thatboy37

based on your reviews and what you posted i cant wait for my book to get here. i ordered i saturday through amazon just like you. if you dont mind me asking how long did it take for you to receive your magazine. im really anxious to receive mine since you say it seems its worth it. you did say its a 150 some odd pages oh yeah im really getting anxious.

thatboy37 aka reggie

Took about a week.

Mike

[Jumijo]

This is the first I've heard of this new FasTrack book. Sounds like a good read. I'd like to get a copy, along with the new Warman's guide (which I thumbed through last night), and *** Teal's book on modern toy train repair.

I visited sites like Amazon, B&N, and borders. None of them give any information about the FasTrack book other than price. Perhaps my local Borders will get a copy that I can look over before I buy.

Jim

[dwiemer]

Got a copy today, looks good. I am getting ready to put some final touches on the layout and I think this book will be very useful as I am going with fastrack. Reggie, took a little less than a week to get from Amazon.
Dennis

[lionelsuperotrack]

Jim - You will like the book! Just buy it.

Very best, Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

This is the first I've heard of this new FasTrack book. Sounds like a good read. I'd like to get a copy, along with the new Warman's guide (which I thumbed through last night), and *** Teal's book on modern toy train repair.

I visited sites like Amazon, B&N, and borders. None of them give any information about the FasTrack book other than price. Perhaps my local Borders will get a copy that I can look over before I buy.

Jim

[lionelsuperotrack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by thatboy37

based on your reviews and what you posted i cant wait for my book to get here. i ordered i saturday through amazon just like you. if you dont mind me asking how long did it take for you to receive your magazine. im really anxious to receive mine since you say it seems its worth it. you did say its a 150 some odd pages oh yeah im really getting anxious.

thatboy37 aka reggie

Hello - Took about a week.

Best, Mike

[Anonymous]

I cannot really offer any personal comments on this book, pro or con, since I don't have it.  However, several threads on other forums have indicated that there is a significant problem as far as the track plans are concerned.  Apparently, many of the published plans do not work, as presented, without a lot of special fitter sections, which are not available commercially.

I do have FasTrack, and used it on an earlier layout, but that was without following any specific published track plan since I tend to prefer to build my track networks through trial and error.  I really like FasTrack, and recommend it for any toy train layout and/or floor layout.  It is very durable; stays together well without any modifications; and looks good once it is assembled.

The track plans aside, I'm confident there must be a lot of useful information in the book, so if FasTrack is your thing, you really have nothing but a few bucks to lose by making the investment.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Allan. Even if there are some issues with fitter sections on a few of the layouts illustrated, I'm sure that there is plenty of great info to be had. I'll be picking up a copy as well as adding extensively to our simple Fastrack loop this Christmas.
Mike

[crip]

I' ve had the book a couple of months now . The chapter on reverse
loops is very helpful.Thru trial and error I was able build a fastrack version of the small,simple & sensible track plan featured in the May 06 CCT without the 13/8 fitter sections.

[lionelsuperotrack]

Don't let the current lack of 1 3/8" fitter sections keep you from moving ahead with a FasTrack layout.

At the October York one of the VP's from Lionel (can't remember who) clearly stated that they had dramatically underestimated the poplularity of FasTrack and that won't happen again. In particular he mentioned the extended length straight sections (30")  and the 1 3/8" fitter pieces. He said that they are due in December. Check the Lionel website:

 http://www.lionel.com/Products/Findex.cfm

or your hobby stores later in December.

The part number, previously used, still shows unavailable but we will know soon. Below is the part number from the Lionel site:

1) Part Number: 610-2047-350
EXTENSION 1 3/8"W/1 RDBED EDGE
Price: $ 3.00
Quantity:

Have a great Holiday Season!

Very best, Mike

 

[Jumijo]

Our layout is all FasTrack and I love the track system. The book? Ehhh.