Have fun with your son, enjoy it.
laz57
Our train set was finally delivered tonight. I set the track up and got it running with a couple of small glitches. The coal dumping cars tray was not fully assembled and when I took it out of the box a spring fell on the floor and the tray fell off the car. I could see after inspection where the spring went and assembled the coal car dump tray to its proper place. The next problem was in the decoupling track. Every time the train went around the track and got to the decoupler the cars would decouple. At first I thought the switch might be stuck but it was OK so I took the track piece off and found where the wire was pinched and it had a short in it from the pinch , another easy fix.
I really liked how easy the track went together and was not bothered by the amount noise coming from the track. I expected it to be louder than what it was from reading different postings about the track. My son was thrilled to get it running and loved tooting the horn, he was all smiles.
I had a fire and lost all of my trains and I had all tubular track at that time. When I started over I decided I would go with K-lines supersnap having had some of it and liked it.I started buying alot and liked the varitity it had with all the different radiis 31inch to 120inch and they had plans to make switches for each radii aswell. But then came K-line bankruptcy and it became harded to get and more expensive and I didn't know if Lionel would keep it or not. So I started buying Fastrack and I just love it. Alot of variaty in pieces, I just bought 3 of the wye switches I always wanted these in o scale, 36,48,60,72,84 inch curves. I understand why people complain about the price of it, but I sit mine up on the carpet and when I had tubular steel track I was always leaving marks on the carpet which makes the misses very unpleasent. My son is 11 and he has no problems snapping it together which he did with the tubular and he did with the SuperSnap, so it is much easier to use. Your son is 6 and you'll be amazed at how much track you end up with buying only a coulpe of pieces here and there. I suggest saving the $30 for the book and buying the Figure 8 expansion pack. Your son will love the train coming around and almost hitting itself as it crossesover. I really think all the different track is good. It is good to have a choice and some lend themselves better to one use or another. Fastrack is very good for kids and sitting layouts up on their bedroom floor.
John
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
FEEL THE POWER
FASTRACK RULES
Works with magnetraction too!!
Rolo,
As far as the track to use it is really up to you and how you plan on operating. Each system has it's own advantages and disadvantages which after doing some research should point you in the direction of choice. If your son is going to be doing some assembly of track I would go with Fastrack, it is very easy to assemble. I tend to favor tubular followed very closely by Atlas track, however the Atlas doesn't lend itself to floor running.
If you are going to be a floor/carpet runner the track with the plastic roadbed will help to protect the carpet from any oil drips etc.
Also forgot to give PBJ a big on Thor's site.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
I haven't seen the book myself, but there are a LOT of track plans and other info available online for free!!! Whatever brand or style of track I think is more of a preference and has some to do with how and where you are going to run your trains. Good luck and Welcome to the forums!!!
underworld
Bob Nelson
lionelsoni wrote: "Definitely ignore the...naysays [sic] in general, whether its related to track or trains or manufacturers..." To this, I say, "nay". If there's something wrong with a product that I might buy, I want to know about it. Wouldn't you?
"Definitely ignore the...naysays [sic] in general, whether its related to track or trains or manufacturers..." To this, I say, "nay". If there's something wrong with a product that I might buy, I want to know about it. Wouldn't you?
There is a difference between "bashing", and reporting problems with a product that you have ACTUALLY OWNED. I get tired of "experts" passing judgement on products they have had no experiance with, as well as those who feel that no product or material or method is "worthy" unless it's the same as what they have or do. Joe (FasTrack and CW80 user)
On the bright side, both you and your son have something good to look forward to early next week. Anticipation can be part of the fun, if you'll let it be. In the meantime, spend some quality time discussing with your son what it is you and he want to do with that first train set once it arrives.
Definitely ignore the FasTrack naysayers (or naysays in general, whether its related to track or trains or manufacturers). It is a fine track system, and the best one out there, in O gauge, with built-in roadbed. A nice, durable, easy-to-install, and ever-expanding line. I'm pretty sure you'll like it once you try it. Get yourself a switch or two and some extra track sections and you'll be good to go for many hours of fun. Might consider springing for that crossing flasher FasTrack accessory, too--a very nice complement to the system.
Yes, FasTrack costs a bit more, but as it is with anything else, you get what you pay for. Track is still one of the least expensive investments you can make in the hobby, and it's money well spent if it's what YOU (and your son) like.
I don't have the FasTrack book, so I really can't say if it's worth the price or not. I've heard about some problems with the track plans presented in the book, but I haven't paid much attention to the specific involved. The track itself, in terms of set-up, etc., really doesn't require a book, and you and your son might just want to sit down together, with pencil and paper in hand, and come up with a rough sketch of a track plan that may suit your needs and interests. You don't need a book or track planning software for that.
Forgot to mention that if you just need some track plan ideas, this site is the best.
http://thortrains.com/
Have fun hear ask lots o questions, always somebody to give you and answer.
Rolo -
to the CTT forum
I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com
Sorry you wont be getting your set for the weekend.
Books are always a good investment. Sometimes they save you money in the long run. And besides the track plans I'm sure theres interesting tidbits on wiring, and benchwork.
For a six year old my advice is simplicity. Keep it as simple and fun as you can.
This is what we do. We run loops of track in HO and O gauge on the floor. Hook up a couple accessories and run the trains. Lots of fun, and noisy!
Take that $30 and replace that FasTrack with some (traditional) tubular track. You can buy three times or more amount of tubular than you can FasTrack. Cheap, yes. Reliable, YOU BET! More bang (bigger layout), DEFINATELY!
On a less serious note however, welcome to trains.com.
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Rolo -Also being new at this hobby, I purchased the Fastrack book and now wish I had saved my money. A quick flip thru it made me think I could use it. It just didn't answer the questions I have. There's a lot of good stuff in there but not sure it was worth it for me and my limited layout. I think I learn more on this forum, CTT magazine and the internet. Hope others will give their opinion.
Good luck and to you and your son. ( I have a g'son that age.)
Lisa
My 6 year old son and I were very much looking forward to today as our first train set was scheduled to be delivered by the big brown truck. I have been checking the transit through the UPS website and was disappointed to see that the snow storms in the midwest has delayed our fun until Monday. Oh well, so goes mother nature.
My new set comes with a 40 X 60 track (FasTrack) which seems small and I have seen where Lionel sells a FasTrack book on layouts. I have searched the forum on this subject and read the replies but I wanted some more input if it is worth the $30 dollars for this book or should I save my money for some more track. Thanks for any replies.
My son is funny, as I was typing this he came into the room and asked me if I would check one more time to make sure our train would'nt be delivered tonight. I think we may have a train enthusiast in the making.
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