Using Lionel FasTrack For A Permanent Layout

[@jackvanschenck7276]

Just getting into this hobby and it’s videos like this that will keep my passion alive - thank you for all the free information! It seems to me, for better or for worse, Fastrack is the future of this hobby as it comes with every Lionel kit and unless you’re fully retired, very few will have time to build track. It’s not that the building methods aren’t appreciated and respected, it’s just that most folks have so much else to do. Fastrack gives them that time boost and access to the hobby. Your video gave us all a way to improve mass produced track, then sit back and wonder… “…maybe when I have time, I could try building some of my own track 🤔…”

[@nw24153ns]

Thanks for sharing your ideas, regardless of what others comment. Building my 2nd layout, O gauge, Fastrack, MTH engines. The layout is based on memories of my youthful fascination and scenes depicting 20 plus years of fire and EMS calls involving some railroads such as N&W, NS, CSX and BAR.

[@markslioneltrains]

Great Info.! I learned the hard way not to use the wimpy little Lionel wire when my railroad shorted out.!

[@wcmodelrailroad]

Great video Rick, I really like that Woodland Scenic Steel Rail Paint pen. I'm going to pick that up this week. I like how it clearly defines the edges of the rail.

[@dennisb-trains23]

Super video of helpful ideas and tips without handing out judgement. Well done!!

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Thanks for sharing.Try using 30 inch or 20 inch fastrack when you can.10 inche track produces to many connection causing power loss.The less connections the better.Also connect your power supply to a 30 inch fastrack instead of 10 inch .You will notice the difference in power immediately.

[@ricko3242]

Agreed. I have 30 inch fastrack sections where its practical on my layout. I have 14ga feeders attached every 10 feet on both loops and all sidings have their own feeders. All track pins were adjusted for good contact as the track was laid. The layout will be 17 years old this winter. The voltage has been consistant the whole time.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

@@ricko3242 Cool Rick.Good electricity flow bring out the full profromance of Train.Happy railroading

[@burlingtonbill1]

Nice video. Liked your easy-going style, a sense of humility - I tire easily of hearing "THIS is the only way to go." Your track work looks nice. Fastrack is (per inch) the most expensive for O-gauge layouts, and NOISY. But beyond that, it looks great, Rick.

[@nja3224]

I’m brand new to railroading, and doing a lot of research. I was leaning towards HO scale, but landed on Lionel Union Pacific O gauge. I have to say, the Fast Track is about as ugly and cheap looking as you can get. It needs help IMO, but I like what you did here with ballast and the rail pen. I think I’m going to have to do that when o land on a layout. Otherwise, it just looks cheap.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Doing my first layout w fastrack. Thanks for some tips. Trying to avoid turnouts being permanent. I hear they can be problematic. Wondering if I should switch to an atlas rail yard. Guess we'll see.

[@ricko3242]

@Curious_Skeptic My fastrack has been very reliable. However, my track is all from 2005 or so. It's been mentioned ,at some point in about the last 10 years. That the build quality of fastrack has cheapened . I.e. the road bed is more flimsy, and the connecting pins are poor conductors, and break easily.

[@JJosephS1]

Great wiring tips! Thanks.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Ric O, By the way I'm still enjoying your videos keep up the great work. Now for the reason I'm writing to you. Can a Lionel Fastrack Layout be fully automated

[@ricko3242]

@allanmartinez1190 Thanks for the kind words Allan. I don't see why the layout couldn't be automated. Get in touch with TW Trainworx . I posted the link in reply to your other comment. The main factor would be cost.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Ric O, I have a problem I've been trying to figure out for the past few years now and I still have no results.Could you recommend anyone who is a designer/Builder of O-Gauge Layouts using only Lionel Fastrack System? The Layout after it's been built needs to be disassembled for delivery and reassembled because I'm Handicap. Also the Layout needs to be fully automated because I also have no knowledge of model railroading and it's daily operations. Do you think you can help me Please? Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan Martinez

[@ricko3242]

@allanmartinez1190 Hello Allan. I would try TW Trainworx. They have done custom builds across the country and they are Lionels preferred builders. One of their crew members was head of Lionels customer service, parts and repairs for a decade. www.twtrainworx.com/

[@richardsomerville4107]

Hello Rick, enjoyed you video. I'm in the process of securing my fastrack to the plywood and wondering if you took steps to quiet the track down.

[@ricko3242]

Yes. On one of my videos I discuss using 1/2" pink insulation sheets on top of the benchwork. While technically not a sound deadoner it cut the noise substantially. Ballasting as well as other scenery further quieted my track. If I did it over I' d probably go with the thicker 2" foam, if for no other reasoning you can cut deeper landscape features like riverbeds and ditches etc. Having said that, there are better materials like homasoate and other products designed for soundproofing. I'd see what your local hardware store has. The pink foam was inexpensive and I am pleased with the results.

[@richardsomerville4107]

@@ricko3242 Thank you!

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

6️⃣0️⃣3️⃣🚂😎. 🚂❤️great video 🚂❤️😎

[@Soupcan35]

Our foyer closet has a landing on top that we would like to put a Lionel Penn Flyer train set. The problem is the area is 60" x 24" and the set comes 60 x 40. How or is it even possible to get the track down to that width. Can I order a track that exact size? Will the train even be able to make that turn? I am a newbie (obviously) at this. Thank you for your help!

[@ricko3242]

The smallest radius fastrack is offered in is O31. Even if you went with postwar track. I believe O27 is the smallest you can get. The tighter the radius. The smaller the locomotives need to be in order to make the turn. Choices would be minimal at best with an O24 curve.

[@Soupcan35]

@@ricko3242 I'll give them a call on Monday to see what they suggest. Thank you for your quick response!

[@TehBellcarl]

Could you discuss how you wired your signals? That signal bridge for example. Is it one of” Z stuff for trains” offerings? How well do they inter-grate with fastrack

[@ricko3242]

That's actually an Mth Pennsy signal bridge. If you look closely. There are two Z Stuff dz1075 detectors, one next to each track that activate the heads. The signal bridge allows up to 4 heads for bi directional running on 2 tracks. I chose to stick with just the 2 heads that come with the bridge and set it up for right hand running ,common during the steam Era. Wiring is pretty straightforward using the ZStuff and MTH instructions. One DZ 1075 is used for each signal head. The detectors as well as the bridge are powered by 10v. Actually, all of my accessories are operated at 10v.

[@elleryparsons5766]

When Building A permemanant Layout Think it Through Before Building.

[@jcdc6492]

What solder did you use? It never sticks for me on the tabs

[@ricko3242]

Nothing fancy, it was what came with the iron. The tabs could have some oxidation, and may need extra flux.

[@jcdc6492]

@@ricko3242 I dont have flux thats my problem. Ill get some at the HDepot thanx

[@brennenseibert6708]

@@ricko3242 this video was really helpful

[@ricko3242]

@@brennenseibert6708 Thankyou! Glad I could help!

[@charlesdimino6524]

Ya gotta scratch the tabs first and then solder and flux

[@johnchase7667]

I bought thousands of dollars of fastrack when it came out and loved it but it has not held up well.

[@ricko3242]

Sorry to hear that. My track just turned 17 this past winter, its as reliable as the day I put it down. I even had a portion of the layout get wet, in an unfortunate "child induced" plumbing accident. Dried everything out by hand ,and ran a dehumidifer in the train room for a week and it was back toi buisness a usual. Having said that, I hear more complaints about newer fastrack. From other videos. It appears Lionel cheapened the roadbed and possibly the metal pins.

[@richardaronoff4144]

What setting(s) do you use on the Gardner Bender GDT 311?

[@Antonio-j1g]

Lionel fast track are junk, also when you connect them they aren't on level with each other better to use the old tubolar as 0-27

[@shellysmith1037]

No thanks, too loud.