FasTrack

[Anonymous]

I know that there has been alot of praise and alot of dismay to Lionel's replacement of it's tubular rail with FasTrack. I honestly think that by doing so Lionel has left behind a part of its heritage. I know that they still make the tubular rail track, but I still don't like the fact that you can no longer buy a set with it. I know that it is more versitile, but the rail rusts a hell of a lot more easily than that of the tubular rail.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennFan

I I know that it is more versitile, but the rail rusts a hell of a lot more easily than that of the tubular rail.

I hadn't heard that. [:0] Do you own Fastrak that rusted or did you hear or read about it somewhere?

[Anonymous]

I own FasTrack and I plan to trade off every single piece that I own at the next train show I go to.

[Anonymous]

I have serious doubts about the allegation of FasTrack rails rusting any faster or more than conventional tubular track rails. I don't imagine that is the case at all. I sure haven't read any reports--supported with images--of FasTrack rusting away in a normal indoor environment. I find it to be a vastly superior track system to the original tubular track, and it would be even better if Lionel could get their act together to expand the line and, perhaps, back off on the prices a bit.

[EIS2]

PennFan,

I know how you feel about the nostalgia with the original tubular track. I felt the same. However, the difference in performance of the FasTrack switches is like night and day. I had a lot of problems with derailments using the tubular track switches. I have NO derailments going through the FasTrack switches at any speed in either forward or reverse.

Lionel is also bringing out some nice accesories to FasTrack such as the grade crossing with the flashing signals. The track also assembles much more securely with FasTrack. I don't even have the FasTrack screwed down to my permanent layout. I never could have done that with tubular track. You can also use FasTrack on carpet without fouling your engines with carpet lint and without getting oil and grease on the carpet.

Operating my layout is much more enjoyable now with FasTrack. I can now concentrate on running the trains and using the accessories without any concern whatsoever with derailments. That, afterall, is what train operation should be.

You ought to give your FasTrack a try before you unload it.


Regards...
EIS

[csxt30]

What type of metal is Fastrack using ?

[Buckeye Riveter]

First time for everything, but like Alan, I have my doubts. I don't want to speak for Alan, but from all of his posts, I believe he and I would have read about this type of problem on one of the many web forums, heard about it from our friends, and/or had a dealer tell us about the problem because of our acute interest in trains. Using the advanced search features of this forum, one can find several posts about FASTRACK since the time it made it to market, nary a one broached the subject of corrosion.

The fact is, that hobby stores will tell you Fastrack is flying off their shelves.

[Anonymous]

My layout isn't in a normal indoor environment. It is in a covered porch. My tubular track lasted longer, I knew I shouldn't have replaced it.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EIS2

PennFan,

I know how you feel about the nostalgia with the original tubular track. I felt the same. However, the difference in performance of the FasTrack switches is like night and day. I had a lot of problems with derailments using the tubular track switches. I have NO derailments going through the FasTrack switches at any speed in either forward or reverse.

Lionel is also bringing out some nice accesories to FasTrack such as the grade crossing with the flashing signals. The track also assembles much more securely with FasTrack. I don't even have the FasTrack screwed down to my permanent layout. I never could have done that with tubular track. You can also use FasTrack on carpet without fouling your engines with carpet lint and without getting oil and grease on the carpet.

Operating my layout is much more enjoyable now with FasTrack. I can now concentrate on running the trains and using the accessories without any concern whatsoever with derailments. That, afterall, is what train operation should be.

You ought to give your FasTrack a try before you unload it.


Regards...
EIS

The operational aspect I likebut the functional aspect pisses me off. I hate having to clean nights worth of rust off the rails.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennFan

My layout isn't in a normal indoor environment. It is in a covered porch. My tubular track lasted longer, I knew I shouldn't have replaced it.

The old, "I didn't use the product as intended, so it is the manufactures fault that it failed." Where's my lawyer?

I believe, and I might be wrong, the only track that is advertised in O-Scale that can be used outside is Atlas. The ties are even made of a material that resists ultraviolet light from the sun.

[Anonymous]

It isn't outside, there are walls, and a roof and floor. I did the best that I could to seal it, but I can only do so much. Besides that is the only place I can put my layout.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennFan

My layout isn't in a normal indoor environment. It is in a covered porch. My tubular track lasted longer, I knew I shouldn't have replaced it.

The old, "I didn't use the product as intended, so it is the manufactures fault that it failed." Where's my lawyer?

I believe, and I might be wrong, the only track that is advertised in O-Scale that can be used outside is Atlas. The ties are even made of a material that resists ultraviolet light from the sun.

Don't forget Gar Graves.

[Anonymous]

This is the second winter for my FasTrack layout in the garage. Half of the garage for the trains and my wife parks her car in the other half. The car brings in a lot of moisture when it rains and especially when the snow melts off in the garage. I have yet to see a hint of rust.

[Anonymous]

I Like Lionel FastTrack.. I have two layouts one with MTH Real Track and the
other Fast Track.. MTH Real Track looks good , operates trains well. The next
layout I built will be with Lionel Fast Track.

[Anonymous]

Well I don't know what to tell you other than I can't discredit your experience just like you can't discredit mine.

[EIS2]

I'm surprised that you would have more rust wih FasTrack. I'm not a metallurgist, but the metal in the FasTrack rails appears to be the same as the metal in the tubular track. If so, the rust characteristics should be the same. Additionally, the Lionel tubular ties are metal whereas the FasTrack is plastic which wouldn't rust at all.

Regards...
EIS

[dbaker48]

I look forward with replacing the tubular track I have had since the 60's, with fastrack. IF there was a degradation in durability, the benefits of the fastrack is soooo overwhelming, I personnaly don't think there is decision.

Best Regards

[dwiemer]

Pennfan,
I saw a listing on eBay of some fastrack with surface rust, so I know it will rust. It seems that your layout, despite your best efforts is exposed to high humidity. Whichever track system you go with, make sure you coat it with a protectant. Also, do you have any rust problems with your rolling stock/engines? I am building a 3 car garage to have the second story be the new train layout. I plan to use climate control as I live in the humid south. This will also include humidity control. I will coat the rails as a added measure of protection.
Dennis

[Anonymous]

Pennfan wrote: "The operational aspect I like but the functional aspect pisses me off. I hate having to clean nights worth of rust off the rails."

If you're getting rust buildup that fast, I would be far more worried about the trains than the track. I dn't believe you said where you have your layout located, but if it's in a severe environment you'll have problems not only with the track, but with many train items, as well. Sounds to me like you might consider Large Scale, where the trains are intentionally made for such conditions.

The only advice I can give at this point is: Don't blame the track. If it rusted more easily than most other tinplate track, we certainly would have heard about it here or elsewhere over the past several years. Giving you the benefit of the doubt and accepting that you have track that is rusting practically overnight (per your description), then I suggest you go to the source of the problem and make the environment your layout is in far more hospitable to toy electric trains.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PennFan

I know that it is more versitile, but the rail rusts a hell of a lot more easily than that of the tubular rail.

A statment like this is not helpful, especially to new people. I never heard of FasTrack rusting. In fact, I left a section in the garage last spring and forgot about it. It's very humid in the summer here in Philadelphia, and the track, after 6 months, looks as good as new. If you don't like it, fine...but your statment needs to be backed-up with some details. Joe

[Anonymous]

PennFan, In the covered porch, do you have any windows and or doors with glass? If so are you getting a lot of condensation on them? Maybe you can find and correct the source of the moisture, perhaps its it under the porch or a leaking roof or something like that, then get yourself a dehumidifier.

[Roger Bielen]

PennFan - what have you been using to clean the rails? Is it possible that you have scrubbed off all of the tin plating off the rails? I guessing that the material used for the rails is the same material used, or at least method, for current tubular rail manufacture.

[Anonymous]

I've had one piece of FastTrack rust and it was a piece that was part of a bunch I picked up at a flea maket. When I examined the track more closely I saw some white residue on the plastic base near the areas that were rusting. I suspect the previous owner had either spilled something on the track that was corrosive and hadn't cleaned it off completely or had tried some really half *ssed attempt at track cleaning with a totally inappropriate product. The actual rails are the same tin plated steel used to make tubular O.

[Brutus]

I would look under the porch itself - it could be that water is pooling there during rains etc and then creating humidity in the room. This could be solved with a french drain (HD/Lowes etc has that corrugated plastic pipe) to keep the water away from the porch or take it away once it gets under there. It could turn into a big job, but you don't want that humidity under your roof - that means it's getting into your attic space and will take years and years off your roof's life span - plus health problems from mold etc.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dwiemer

Pennfan,
I saw a listing on eBay of some fastrack with surface rust, so I know it will rust. It seems that your layout, despite your best efforts is exposed to high humidity. Whichever track system you go with, make sure you coat it with a protectant. Also, do you have any rust problems with your rolling stock/engines? I am building a 3 car garage to have the second story be the new train layout. I plan to use climate control as I live in the humid south. This will also include humidity control. I will coat the rails as a added measure of protection.
Dennis

Dispite my best efforts of talking my parents into letting me trade my brother's play room with them, they still refuse to do so. However, they do let me store my trains in there. The down side, every time that I want to run trains, I have to make two or three trips. Carrying the trains two or three at a time. It really pisses me off.[:(!]

[Anonymous]

A leaking floor isn't the problem, I have a 2 1/2' thick concrete floor that still has no cracks dispite being poured thirty year ago!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chuckn

I've had one piece of FastTrack rust and it was a piece that was part of a bunch I picked up at a flea maket. When I examined the track more closely I saw some white residue on the plastic base near the areas that were rusting. I suspect the previous owner had either spilled something on the track that was corrosive and hadn't cleaned it off completely or had tried some really half *ssed attempt at track cleaning with a totally inappropriate product. The actual rails are the same tin plated steel used to make tubular O.

I have been using the same stuff that I have been using for three years, alchohol pads. I have never had a problem with rust until now especially with my tubular rail.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roger Bielen

PennFan - what have you been using to clean the rails? Is it possible that you have scrubbed off all of the tin plating off the rails? I guessing that the material used for the rails is the same material used, or at least method, for current tubular rail manufacture.

Never mind that first quote, this is the guy that I meant to quote.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Pennfan,

Consider leaving some lights on on your patio layout (chistmas lights?). Just a few degrees rise over the ambient can prevent condensation on the layout.

Jim H

[Anonymous]

I'll have to try that. Thanks! I still like tubular track better.