Yea i have a set. Good

I’ve been using tubular track since the 1960s. I have both low profile and high profile.

the problem is the middle rail pins you have to bend them the right way to get better contact once done they start running better had this issue and remembered the fix and things are better but its what you like and prefer enjoy

Thanks You for sharing your experience with fastrack . I was just considering buying some now I'm gonna stick with the tubular

I have replaced much of my FasTrack with Menards tubular track, especially in hard to reach(clean) areas. Tubular track seems to conduct current better and doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. The Menards transition track works very well to add tubular track to FasTrack.

I love tubular track and the nostalgia behind Lionel trains. They are toy trains so yes you don't need roadbed . Like you said the beauty of toy trains is everyone's layout is personal to them. Like someone once told me we don't play with trains we run trains. I also learned over the years to connect the tubular track tight taking my time thus eliminating a lot of electrical issues.

Thanks, no one is talking about this. I always wondered, only because it looks cheap.

I love MTH track. “ Snaps” together for more positive connections.

Scale and Gauge are references that are interchanged frequently and incorrectly. Scale refers to the ratio proportion of the model to the prototype. HO = 1:84, N=1:180 and so on. Gauge is the measurement of the width btw the inside of the running rails. It is not an indication of the model size.

So many true points made here, I’m stuck with fastrack for the time being

Fastrack is WAY too loud

Shit, I’ve got a 300 foot layout in my yard with fast track

I’ve had connectivity issues with FT. I’ve found if you crimp the vertical sides of the rail together, just a little, where the tab(s) are inserted, connectivity improves. I have a semipermanent layout, therefore no damage from building up and tearing down. However, I have broken a few tabs and was surprised that Lionel sold this tabs as replacement parts. Which might make a statement about its durability.

I was recently at a hobby shop looking for some 3 rail track. They offered Fastrack. That plastic stuff is so thin I can easily bend and twist it! I picked up a bunch of their MTH track on clearance instead.

Fastrak just a fad like Super O was back in the day.

Realistic track is nice but the price is just prohibitive for a large layout. I agree, I'm more concerned about scenery and realism than how the track looks. There are ways to make the old style track look more realistic but it takes quite a bit of time. You have a great display!🚂😊

I find FasTrack convenient for static displays of my old Marx tinplate trains. It looks decent on the shelf and is easy to clean.

Great video! Noise is an issue for me, so I run traditional tubular track (Lionel/K-Line) fitted with Johnson rubber roadbed (out of production but occasionally surfaces on eBay). One can get very good deals on tubular track these days (probably because a lot of FasTrackers are dumping their tubular track...) I don't think I'll ever opt for FasTrack. A commentor here noted that perhaps there is a market for Super-O. I might take the plunge if Lionel ever revived it!

Buy the cheap track and add ballast

2:38 I don’t think anybody should leave track in storage no matter the kind of track. Building up dust and possibly rust on the rails from not being used.

My trains were boxed for about 25 years and in those years my boxes of tubular track disappeared so I had to start over. I picked up some Fastrak to get things going and set things up on the floor. Being a carpet runner the Fastrak works fine since it provides some protection from lint. I do like the remote switches which allowed me to easily operate a mainline loop to loop. Only time I had any connection problems was the ones I caused my self by getting impatient when pulling apart the track to try a different configuration, however that was minor issue since with the distances I run there have to be several power feeds to prevent voltage drop. As for getting the pieces separated that is now easy, I took a couple of screwdrivers and sharpened the ends. Then both are gently wedged between the track pieces and turned together which safely separates the sections with damage. Do NOT twist the track and everything will be fine. I don't have any intention of building a permanent "O-gauge" layout but if I did then Atlas makes a nice track, even available in stainless steel.

I’ve had fastrack since I was 8 and haven’t had issues with it apart from when I have physically damaged it from being too rough. However, I’m considering getting tubular track for when I build a proper layout, and saving the fastrack for temporary layouts that I might set up elsewhere. The only thing I’m concerned about is realism. I don’t have the skill to make the layout super realistic like other people, but I’d like to have a proper roadbed and ties. Would it be possible to make a gravel road bed and get wooden ties for them like people do with HO track?

Friction fit electrical connections and time are always a poor idea. If you are unwilling to add a few clip on's, perhaps do something to give your layout some electrical insurance. I've used something called Deoxit in a grease form. I paint every electrical connection with it as I lay down the track. Its job is to stop the corrosion that invade metal on metal points of contact that must complete an electrical path. It is a bit pricey, but well worth it if your track layout is intended to stay long term.

SUPER “0” all the way……🚂😃

I have used Fast Track around my shelf ceiling layout for 10 years and never had any problems.

As someone who has come from collecting and running n and ho scale models, I have always preferred atlas track for my o scale models. I like the way it looks better, and I like that it’s made with nickel silver instead of steel. But I would definitely say Tubular track is also a solid choice for its affordability and reliability.

cleaning fastrack is a pain in the B. it tends to go black and in time the steel will rust so I would not have it on a permanent fixed layout as you will need to change pieces of track every so often when it rusts.

Tubular track even have a true rail profile. Fastrack has no profile and is so shiny that the ties reflect on the rail sides which makes it look nothing like real rails. They should have brought back Super O track.

I been running my Fastrack since 2020. My 100 pound Labrador steps on them all the time. My legacy big boy and MTH engines have no issues

Fast track is much better than the tubular track in so many ways. The tubular track has a round top where the train wheels ride. You actually have two or 300% more traction utilizing fast track. Also the electrical connections were each track plugs in are the same as the tubular track. Also Lionel does not make any tubular track and haven’t for more than a year. You’re only option if you insist on running tubular track is to either buy used track or Menards. Menards currently sells tubular track that is quite affordable but in the long run fast track is much better .

Nice museum. Been there before with Midwestern rail fan 3257 fun we got to honk the horn 🚆🚝🚅

Fantastic engine and presentation. I'm curious if the engine can operate by using a Legacy hand-held remote? How many train cars is the engine able to pull? Thanks for posting.

Do you have any suggestion for hogwarts not derailing? I haven’t used mine in ages but I threw out the fast track when we moved and was going to replace it because it used to derail

LOL. OMG> You are killing me! I'm literally collecting Fastrack to set up my first layout! I guess, I need to start over before I even laid anything down. Never heard negative comments like this on Fastrack. I was going to solder tracks anyway. I love the Atlas and other nice scale track, but $$$. Funny how the old vintage is what you think works best. It's SO CHEAP! Switches are given away almost! :) I solder all my track in N and HO regardless for the same reason. Plus, if you are being honest, tubular track has it's issues! I remember those days! I'm sort of being funny, as I have no plans on ditching Fastrack! I love the look and not doing monster layouts. I find Fastrack CHEAP. Just picked up a large box of it with switches for $40.00. Think you jumped the gone and should have had a bit of help on how to work with Fastrack. It looks so much more realistic than vintage. You just had bad luck my friend! Kato, EZ Track, Lionel Fastrack, on and on have been used for a very long time. Very few complaints. Something just isn't right about your experience. Sorry you went through it, but good for you using vintage. Great way to save money with endless supply of dirt cheap track! Peeps give this stuff away now!

I have a loop layout around my train room, above the doors and windows and it’s all tube track. One of the nice things is that you can cut and even carefully bend track when necessary to meet the exact space requirements of the room. After all, when the track gets to the corner, I’m not going to extend the house or have the track run 3 inches from the wall. I do run a feed wire to a couple of places in the layout to keep the current even to all sections.

Menards hit a home run with their o scale trains and buildings the quality has gotten much much better

I think using it in a permanent layout is ok But taking it apart, and setting not up several times It fails electrically.. Even when new, switches needed to be wired before and past for good connection And it's noisy.

Wanted a garden layout. The plastic base would dry rot.

This is worthless

Sam its Sam Nice video! Cheers!

Gargraves!

One thing that has helped with the electrical continuity with taking up and reassembling fastrack is to put a little dab of dielectric grease on each of the connecting pins/blades.

Does anyone happen to know where this audio came from?

I have to slightly crimp my fasttrack connections sometimes. Same with tubular track. Fasttrack is a little easier to wire together because it has spade connectors on the bottom. My pro tip is to get some mini end cutting pliers. You can use these to slightly crimp connections while the track is in place to help with dead spots. But to act like tubular doesn’t experience dead spots is not accurate. I have a lot of fasttrack but sort of wish I would have gone with one of the more realistic looking options.

GARGRAVES TRACK HERE......BUT i HAVE A BUNCH OF TUBE TRACK IN A BOX.....WHICH i WILL KEEP.

I agree on the fastrack. It looks plasticy and cheap and it’s hard to tweak when you need an odd size piece. Most of my trains are from the 50s anyway. I just wish you could get new 027 profile track in wider radius. Since the demise of K-line it’s hard to come by. I’m using the Menards track for any additions. Lionel aquired the tooling from k line in the settlement I heard, they should bring it back , with the 042 switches. I would buy it if they did.

0:03 that statement’s about to be a lie in the near future, can’t wait to see 3001 running again!

Bro had a vision 💀💀💀😭😭😭

economy is king when doing my thing.

One Quastion please. Is This Turbine Locomotive was painted with lead paint or not ?