Rolo Tomasee wrote:This photo is Fastrack that has been airbrushed and ballast added to the edges. Frank53 is building his Second layout and doing a superb job.
Frank: Is this YOUR work!!? Looks very similar to what I've seen of yours so far...
Rolo Tomasee wrote:
Grayson
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
Rolo Tomasee wrote:This photo is Fastrack that has been airbrushed and ballast added to the edges. This modeler is building his first layout and doing a superb job.
I've seen ads in the magazines for an HO scale track system very similar in construction to FT where they show it on carpet all by itself and then transitioning into a totally scenic'd application with ballast/paint over the plastic roadbed/ballast. I figured someone would do that with FT someday.
Roland
that does look nice, but i think the 027 with tiles in place looks more realistic. their is no spacing between his tiles like youd find with the 027 or real tracks...inmo ...his scenary is real nice though
Well I think I'll paint all the plywood green, then add woodland senics ground foam and ready made trees, add the ballast, and might do some mountains. I've changed the plans for my layout around a little, now its going to be 10ft. x 15ft. with a yard on the 15ft. side, having 4 042 switches. The final switch will have a line that will be elevated, go around the entire layout, and reconnect at the switch. But, I am still in the planning stages, so there could be some changes over time, but I'm pretty sure about this plan. And Dennis, arent you tired like i am at lionel always saying "Available at your lionel dealer"? What Lionel dealer? Almost half of lionel dealer are near Atlanta, and I'm NOT going there. More internet shopping for us Georgians.
Also, to power accesssories, dont you send 2 large wires(a and u) around the layout under the table to tap into to get power for accessories? What kind of wire is best to use?
someone mentioned adding ties to the 027 track...were do you get thes ties and how do you attach them, or does the track just rest on them?
thanks
Tubular track is my favorite. I've never had trouble with the track or the switches...even on grades...
Grayson, anyone who would give a answer would only be guessing (unless they had it professionally done). There are many methods to doing scenery and most will include adding "finds" to it. Some will use natural twigs that they add ground foam to. You can use either plaster cloth over chicken wire, or extruded foam insulation, or any number of methods for making mountains/changes in elevation. My method is using extruded foam. I will paint a earth tone color for the base, then add ground foam to the still wet paint. For trees, I have a big mix of store bought "Life Like", and evergreens from around Christmas. I also have some clippings from when I trimmed some hedges. Many methods and most look good. Time to experiment.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Does anybody know a price estimate for scenery on a 10x20 ft. layout? It will be 2 feet wide in all places except the yard(wich I will not count). So 40 ft of 2 foot wide board with 2 tracks, anybody know a estimate price of ballast and ground foam, and trees?
Frank53 wrote:A new study has found that prolonged FasTrack use is the leading cost of E.D.
A new study has found that prolonged FasTrack use is the leading cost of E.D.
A tube of Lionel lubricant and I'm back up and running...
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
In my experience I'd say the switches are the big advantage to FT. They work flawlessly 99% of the time and off of track power to boot. The one flaw I've experienced (and one I have discussed before) is that the coupling shoes on some PW rolling stock tend to hang up on the switches, forcing derailment or coupler failure.
dwiemer wrote: As to what would JLC say about Fastrack . . .
As to what would JLC say about Fastrack . . .
I am not one to make reverent references to JLC. While I am a die hard Post War Lionel fan, I am of the opinion that JLC is no one I would care to do business with. While I enjoy the products of the company the fellow put his name on, I think the company on the whole has a well-documented checkered past at best and not one in which anyone associated with it should take a great deal of pride.
And that is only my opinion . . .
Frank53 wrote: A new study has found that prolonged FasTrack use is the leading cost of E.D.
Frank, I didn't know that Bob Dole has a Fastrack Layout.
lionelsoni wrote:K-Line made O27-profile track in O42, O54, and O72. Marx made it in O34. These are completely compatible with Lionel track.
They are also a great deal cheaper than the O gauge equivalents. K-line made 042 switches, as well.
Grayson, I have been to Bull Street station a few times. As you said, no O Gauge beyond track. I did purchase a few items like scale rulers and modeller's speed square, but that is all. My wife and I love going to Savannah, so perhaps we can catch up with you at the Roundhouse Museum or something. As Bob Nelson explained, you can use K-Line or Marx for curves/etc. and you can open up your plan a bit. One technique is to also mix radius curves. Have a 042, 034,042 to make a curve, you can change it around and have a nice layout that will handle most engines made.
Frank 53, I am still going to have a O27 layout built under the main layout that will incorporate my post war accessories. This will mostly be designed by my son, though I will do the work. I am trying to bring him up in the Lionel Tradition.
As to what would JLC say about Fastrack, if it sells, do it! While he did do some great innovations, JLC was a businessman who, not only wanted to out sell the competition, he wanted to bury them. One of his sales pitches was to put top of the line Lionel shown next to bottom line of the competition and do a "comparison". Fastrack has come into it's own. I think that those who have it and use it, like it, faults and all. Tubular has it's fans too. It also has flaws. I have had the cut fingers from putting tubular together. Also had the problems with diagnosing loose pins, shorts from center rail insulation wear.
Frank53,
I appreciate your scientific report on Fastrac, however you forgot to mention that some pre war steam locomotives won't go thru the Fastrac switches because their wheel flanges are too large. Another reason for NOT using Fastrac besides costing almost twice as much as new tubular track, also Fastrac is limited to certain lengths of track thereby limiting creativity with a layout.
I refuse to use Fastrac because it limits my budget and creativity!!! Long live tubular track!!!
By the way I did not know that Fastrac could give you any diseases other than dried up wallet or over limit credit card!!! Guys mentioned about Cooties and Psoriasis, what about long term exposure to Fastrac??
Lee F.
Really?!!! That explains it!
Your 2343s seem to be the cure! Insert diving board sound here.
You are on to something, but you forgot to mention that fastrack was a joint venture between Nelson Rockerfeller, the Buildebergers, the Trilateralist Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, The Illuminati, the Knights Templar, The Masons, the Skulls, the Bohemian Grove cult, the director of Area 51, and the CIA. The true reasons for its existence may NEVER be known
Bob Nelson
Hmmm...Fellas we need to set some thing straight here... IF you build your layout properly and do not use 1/4 inch plywood on an open frame work your FasTrack will be no louder than Tubular. Honestly, the hype on the loudness of FasTrack is quite sickening. Don't torque your FasTrack roadbed to 150 foot lbs and you will be fine too... Also so many people put cork roadbed under the Tubular track and then balast. With FasTrack you don't need to balast so the cost IMHO is about the same and with FasTrack you save the balasting time! In the current issue of the other magazine they have an article on how to reduce the 'FasTrack noise' and it is a cost effective way to do that.FasTrack has MANY advantages over tubular:1. NO removing of track pins to make your curves go the other way2. Your track ends don't flare resulting in poor track connections3. You can disassemble and reassemble FasTrack thousands of times and it STILL holds strong4. Lower profile switch lanterns so you don't have to worry about rolling stock derailing - heck you don't even need to use the switch lanterns with FasTrack - try THAT with tubular! Sorry Frank... I know you love tubular and there isn't anything wrong with that... just drives me nuts when people go over the deep end on FasTrack. It isn't the best track system, but we weren't permitted to post about others so I can't go into them here!
Ok, I've painted ONE train pink - for my daughter. But I've never suffered the heartbreak of psoriasis.
Jim
Grayson,,,I was over on the Lionel website and checked to see if the 31 inch radius curve sections and switches were offered in the Lionel 027 tubular track line....NO cigar.....Lionel has 31 inch radius in tubular O gauge,, for allot bigger price!! Lionel 027 track switches can only be gotten in 27 and 42 inch radius.... bummer..Other companies may offer the 31 inch radius, but I understand that your preference is to keep your layout 100% Lionel..That is a wise choice, everything will line up and match, including the control levers...
It looks like you have your bases well covered,,,,BDT
Actually BDT, I planned all of this out before you made the post about 031 curves. The mainlines will have 042 on the inner main, and 054 on the outer main. Of the five switches that will be in the yard, 3 will be 042 including the the one which spurs of the inner mainline. The other 3 will be 027, which means I can bring larger than 031 min. radius in my yard and around the layout. The main point is that i orginally did plan on having the 042 and 054 track curves and switches. But thank you for pointing it out, BDT
Thanks Frank, I think I'll take your advice and do it right. Another question, do you recommend O gauge track or 027? Well, I started this forum about whether to use fastrack or tubular, and know I have officially made up my mind to go with tubular. But, like i said earlier in a post, please keep this forum alive by arguing to each other about track systems!
Nice Layout you have!,
magicman710 wrote: Does anybody have any opinions on using sand or dirt as ballast? Advantages, disadvantages? I just dont want to spend alot of money on model railroad ballest.
Does anybody have any opinions on using sand or dirt as ballast? Advantages, disadvantages? I just dont want to spend alot of money on model railroad ballest.
Sand or dirt? aye yi yi!
I just put up a couple of posts on another forum on this subject - take them for what they are worth:
Considering your track and track workmanship is probably the most notable and unchangeable part of your layout, I took the route that if I am going to do all this work, I'm going to make it as good as I can. Ater poking around these forums, I opted to used Dennis Brennan's Ballast.
Considering the fact that I took the less conventional route of using tubular track -- (the most venerable and time-proven of all track systems, by the way) -- I wanted a really nice ballasting and ground cover effort around the track to kind of tone down the tubular.
Also considering this is my first layout, short of the green grass paper layouts I made with my Dad in the 50's and 60's, I wanted something better than the sprinkled kitty litter look that typifies first layouts.
Here's the result:
For me to get what I consider pretty good results the first time out of the box, I would say I made a good choice on the product. I just can't see cutting corners on an aspect of your layout that is going to jump right out at you everytime you run your trains.
To use a really good ballast product, you might spend an extra $100 or so than you would be using cheap materials which yield a half-fast finished product. For the cost of a common post war loco or a few freight cars, you can have trackwork that will be a highlgiht of your layout.
Yea, I know.
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