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Thoughts on FasTrack Module System and RR-Track software

T trestrainfanOGR Forum Member

I thought of an idea to help create interest in the new Lionel / LCCA FasTrack Module System.

 

Create the modules in RR-Track.

 

Individual hobbyists who are considering a home layout using the modules could create a layout in RR-Track like they have done in the past, but if modules were available in the software, they could lay out the modules in a suitable shape, and then create the track layout on top.

 

On a larger scale, modular clubs (or the LCCA for their conventions), could create a library of their Fastrack modules in RR-Track, and then use the software to put the modules together to create different layouts for shows.

 

I have RR-Track, but I have only used it to create a few small layouts. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about the program. I do have a background with AutoCAD, and for those who are familiar with CAD programs, I am thinking the Fastrack modules could be created in a form analogous to “blocks” in the CAD world. I don’t know if this is something that RR-Track users can create, and the LCCA could create the modules in RR-Track in house, or if it is something that the owner of RR-Track would have to create, and the LCCA would need to work with the software company to develop the modules for use in the program. The modules could then be made available as a free download and update to the Lionel FasTrack O track library.

 

One potential problem is that the module would be an item in RR-Track, and then you would want to use the FasTrack pieces in the program on top of the module. I don’t know if that is possible.

 

I think you would want the modules to be able to “snap” to each other, either end to end, or side to side, to allow proper layout of the module tables.

 

You would want to snap in the 5” FasTrack straight pieces to connect the modules end to end. These only connect to certain locations on the ends of the modules, just like the templates control the track location for the real modules.

 

You could then use the various FasTrack pieces to complete your layout.  If the layout has a track line that goes off the side of the module (several of the LCCA display modules using Lionel accessory bundles have lines going off to the side), there wouldn’t be any snap, because there doesn’t appear to be a template to control how track in laid out to the side.

 

Here are a few simple diagrams to try and illustrate the idea.

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L.J.L.J.OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Version 5 of RR Track allows users to create modules that can be "placed" on a layout.  I have done this for N-scale T-TRAK modules.  When each module is created to specifications for a particular module system, they will "snap" together.  In the case of the Fastrack modules, the 5" "joiner" track may be a problem.  Below is an image from RR Track of a layout with two Fastrack modules.  TTRAK specs call for making the module a fraction smaller than the length of the attached track to allow joining the modules together without using "joiner" tracks.

 

Larry

 

 

Lionel Fastrack module test

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T trestrainfanOGR Forum Member

L.J.,

 

Thanks for the info. I have RR-Track ver. 4. It sounds like ver. 5 is more user friendly when it comes to modules.

 

I thought of an additional situation for the FasTrack modules. Designers might want to place an additional module in a "t-bone" position where the additional modules are perpendicular to a track line. In other words, in the first diagram in my original post, the top module would be rotated 90 degrees.

 

This module would not be able to snap into a particular place on the adjacent module. The placement would depend on where the track exits the lower module. Since this track would only be able to enter the end of the top module at specific locations if we are following the template standards, i.e. where the 5" transition tracks can be located. So, you would slide the top modules along until it reaches a location where the template lines up with the track exiting the lower module.

 

I think the FasTrack modules are a promising idea in RR-Track, but it is going to be take some forethought and be a bear to set it up.

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