Track

[themattman]

What track do you use. I am wanting to use the most realistic track. I have looked at many different and am not sure. My mane question is, do you have to have all fast track to run lionel acc? Or is there a way to make it so that you can use whatever and still be able? 

Thanks

Matt

[jwse30]

 I use Lionel tubular (o27) track, which is admittedly not very realistic. I can't say all other brands of track will work with all Lionel accessories, but most will. The only exception I can think of off the top of my head is the 3656 cattle corral; I think this would require Lionel track.

 Atlas makes accessory rails that attach to their track system to activate cars that require an operating track section. I believe CTT ran an article in the past year or so about adapting those rails to work with other track systems. Hopefully someone else can give a specific issue. 

 If you do happen to have an accessory that won't work with whatever track system you decide on, most systems have adapters to allow you to connect Lionel tubular track to it. 

 You could post a list of the accessories you want to use, and then we could figure out if it would all work together.

 

Hope this helps,

 

J White

 

[kpolak]

themattman

  My mane question is, do you have to have all fast track to run lionel acc?  

There are a variety of accessories that will not work with Fastrack, as the Fastrack will not fit within the metal accessory tray.

Atlas and Gargraves are some of the most realistic track.  You'll find a good number of people using a combination of Gargraves track, and Ross switches.  Adapters can be used to install O-31 UCS (operating track sections) into the Gargraves track.

Kurt

[Buckeye Riveter]

Make sure you check out this previous posting on the forum.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/144800/1607572.aspx#1607572

And this one too:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/136314.aspx?PageIndex=1

 

[Ole Timer]

 I'll second that opinion of Kurt/Kpolak's .... I went with fastrack ...   ... 2 huge cases of it   ... and wished I had bought Gargraves . If not any other way for signals or whatever you can use IR activated units ... which i prefer over the older clamp and snap on actuators . As far as accessories non signal type  ... most of them are directly wired anyway with a button or switch wired inline  ... useable with any type of track . So the answer to your question " do you need fastrack to run lionel accessories "  NO ... and Gargraves is extremely realistic looking ... with no bugs or problems.

[phillyreading]

Gargraves track is more realistic looking than Lionel's 031 track and has more curve sizes(031 to 110) than all other companies put together. The Gargraves switches are more like Atlas H.O. switches in size and shape, low profile and will let almost anything pass thru, unlike 027 switches. A Ross or a Gargraves switch will cost almost half the price of a Fastrac switch, also you can change out the switch motors in a Ross or Gargraves switch and not take up the track.

Gargraves makes a variety of special tracks; power terminals, five rail uncoupling tracks and others. Most Lionel or MTH accessories should work with Gargraves, just need to know how to wire them in.

To change from one track style to another sometimes all you need is adapter pins. If the track is like Lionel's Fastrac you need an adapter to go 031 tubular track.

Lee F.