Whats the difference between Lionel Tube Track and Fast Track?

Which of the types of track do you want for your Lionel layout? I'll show a quick overview of the 2 most common. The original tube track and the newer FastTrack.
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[@Rich-en8rn]

It depends upon the look you like and if you want to bother with tube track that is uneven, difficult to put together and take apart, and have connectivity issues. I suggest FastTrak. I love it!!!

[@huckstaunfiltered8200]

@WarrenMuzikPostWarGuy I can't begin to thank you enough for channel. Your knowledge is much appreciated my friend, I am learning more everyday. After inheriting my grandfather's post war engines and locomotives, you sir, have given myself the confidence to attempt a layout. (Hoping to make my deceased grampa proud) Thank you again @Warren, I even have taken apart one of the engines (Lionel 681) and gave her a good cleaning, thanks to your other videos... Some of us have no knowledge of such things, until watching your channel...

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Hey Thanks for watching and the wonderful comment. I am glad to hear when these videos have helped people keep these trains running continuing to have fun and make memories.

[@jackkerouac6186]

I like the O gauge best . Grew up with O27 MPC. I dislike plastic and the plastic world we live in. I am mostly a Prewar guy now.

[@elroySF]

The noise level is a big factor, and I have a lot of issues with cars derailing on FastTrak turnouts. I kind of like the look of the original Lionel track better also, but that's just a personal choice. They both look cool.

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Fast Track is certainly louder. I have been very interested in peoples experiences with the different types of track. I wonder if some issues are due to used track, missed quality control when made, etc. Lots of fans of both types. As long as the trains are running on something and not rusting in a box somewhere!

[@elroySF]

@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 I've completely disassembled two Marx turnouts circa 1957 and am rebuilding them. Then I'll see if they outperform the FastTrak turnouts.

[@petermot645]

I’m always learning on your channel. Thank you !

[@jayoung02]

Great explanation.

[@barronvonpitbull4544]

Thxs! Want to do a ceiling train. Will be going with the older style track because of the noise level. Appreciate it!👍

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I spent probably over $500 on Fastrak in the middle 2000’s on a yard I built. It was very noisy. Around 2017 I started selling my Fastrak and surprisingly I got back a lot of my original investment in it through around 8-10 different buyers. They tended to be people growing the layout for their children as opposed to the hobbyist with a permanent layout.

[@Machia52612]

Realism: Atlas ‘O’, but very expensive. Looks good w/ballast included: Fastrack, not cheap either and noisy. Reliable, cheap and can be modified w/ties for more realism: Tubular.

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Post war model trains is all I have

[@jasonbrown4239]

I personaly like fast track we make a layout Keep it up for a couple yrs then tear it down start over if I had a permanent layout maybe tubular but know I got tons of both was thinking of making the bottom part fast track then the old school track for my trolleys

[@peterw6227]

Inox MX3 works wonders as well. Can use it on anything.

[@Matthewcook-s7c]

Metal tubular track rails are talker than fastrack. Older postwar cars tend to have larger diameter wheels. They actually ride on the inner surface of the plastic on the fastrack. Old track is better for postwar trains.

[@christsogaugetrains]

Depends on what your running. Magnetic track soon doesn’t work on newer tracks. If your not looking for realism then tube track is fine. I run atlas

[@johnchase7667]

MagneTraction works fine on Fast Track - it is steel track.

[@chrissloan7160]

can you run post war 671 on the fast track?

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Absolutely.

[@keystonecountryboy]

Rather go with O gauge track, being that "postwar" is in your channel name..get menards track it's compatible with 022 switches accessory tracks... the tacky plastic sections look crappy...plus the tubular track is magnetic for your magnetraction

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

I don't mind the look of the FastTrack, I don't have a permanent layout, and find Fasttrack definitely holds up better to being constantly being setup and taken down. The magnetraction grips the Fast track too.

[@johncmitchell4941]

Yes, Menards offers HD tubular track (and in radii from 30" - 72"!) and adapters to join O to FasTrack. I use O-27 for my inner layout and O separately for the outer line to prevent crashes when running on both. Makes wiring simpler too with a separate switch panel for each line & sidings. Since my table is made up of folding closet doors (11'x12') I didn't want noise. I covered the table with thin folded s-foam as is used under siding. It took latex paint well and I have shades of brown and tan varying for background scenery on three sides. 'Clickety clack' vs a rumble.

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Fastrak way more louder than the tubular track

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

I personally like the FAST TRACK, but also when I was younger, I was used to the other Thanks for the demo.

[@cathrynm]

Hmm, now I'm not sure if we have high profile tubular or low profile. I think it's high.

[@sjwilson1079]

Menards still sells straight O gauge tube track by the case

[@Joe30101]

Use a roadbed on the bottom of the fast track. Cork or woodland scenic. Just silicone it to the bottom of track. You can do to Indvidual Pices of track.

[@fastoutnotforkids7192]

Can the Santa Fe diesel engine at 11:11 can it run on the fast track as well? Im also wondering what controller you use to run your Santa Fe run on Fast Track? If you do so. because i recently got a train that has the same switch on top like your Santa Fe does but mine is a steam engine. All i know is that the switch on top of the Santa Fe should change the directions it runs. But i don't know how that will work on Fast Track.

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Thanks for watching! Yes, that MPC era Alco will run on Fast Track no problem. I have a Lionel KW transformer and a MTH Rail King Tranformer, both transforners work on both style of tracks, no issues.

[@fastoutnotforkids7192]

@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 thank you! Warren! I been a little worried that a train with the switch on top would cause problems for fast track. Glad to hear it won't hurt anything then. Thanks again!

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

@@fastoutnotforkids7192 No problem. That switch is called the E unit. It is the directional control and 95% of postwar and MPC era locos have it. The ones that don't only travel in one direction (usually low end sets and some Scout locomotives). Even those work on Fast track too.

[@genemanno1533]

Being a post war guy, I don’t recall fast track prior to 1969. I may be wrong but it seems to me a post war set up s/b tube type track.

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Hey Gene, thanks for watching. I am not sure of the exact year Fast Track came out, but it definitely wasn't before the 90's. Maybe even early 2000s?

[@Machia52612]

@@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331 I think it was around 2002 or ‘03 with a black center rail. I bought it when it first came out.

[@Burmn]

I love how easy to assemble and durable FT is but it will bankrupt you. I never realized how noisy it was, I bet it is fine on carpet though!

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, FastTrack is expensive new. All of mine is track that I picked up at train shows for cheap. Most of it is used but you find the odd vendor that has new pieces for dirt cheap. Well worth checking out!

[@georgebenson6036]

I prefer tubular track because I grew up with it. I wish someone would use a decibel meter to measure the noise level.

[@jackmeyers9291]

I regret changing from tube track to fast track. I have many postwar accessories that were made for tube track and don't operate on fast track

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

I can see how that would be frustrating. I haven't gotten into the accessories. They're fun looking and maybe if I get a permanent layout I'll get some.

[@Burmn]

There are FT to tube track adapters you can buy for about $10, or if you get a little creative you can make your own. Good luck!

[@Rich-en8rn]

Stop using the 3 m pad to clean track. You will ruin it.

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Thanks for watching. I prefer the Fast Track too. I've been using the green pads for 13 years on the same track and have not noticed any issues. Why do you say it will ruin it. Can you provide more details about this?

[@johnturcsik2906]

I love the video, but for some reason, I feel like your voice sounds like a cartoon character from one of the shows I watch

[@warrenmuzakpostwarguy4331]

Thanks for watching! I wish I was a cartoon voice actor. That would be a sweet job and a dream come true!

[@We_report_bad_drivers]

It does work with pre war

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome

[@gregleuze6657]

I use the fast track. I only have a Christmas Layout and the fast track goes together easily. I run on carpet so noise is not a problem for me. I would go with a wooden tie track for a permanent layout as it looks nicer. I think the older activation track works better (especially for the milk car) so I use the adapter track for those pieces. Did find out that my postwar Santa Fe does NOT like fast track switches. That was a great disappointment. I was told that it has something to do with the spacing of the insulated parts of the switch. Not a problem with my postwar Berkshire.