Any Reviews of The Lighted FasTrack?

I'll post a video in later this morning, but the lighted Fastrack is a winner on our Christmas Layout. It brings another level of fun into the equation. I would not use it extensively on a permanent layout - perhaps a small section of track near where kids will gather that will get their attention and amuse.

Try it around your holiday layout next year - I think you will like the effect. As you mentioned - with the lights out the impact is terrific.

Paul

Hi Dennis,

There were several threads last year around the holidays, including a few that I posted. I'll see if I can find a few.

I actually got the green lighted FasTrack that came as part of the Lionel Area 51 Set. One loop of green lighted track. It works great and I think the overall effect is excellent. Same goes for the multi-color FasTrak that seems to be used in holiday layouts. Agree with Paul's comment above. One could use it for a permanent layout but I'd say from most of the posts here that it tends to be used for special "one-time" layouts.

Dennis,

I don't physically have any of the lighted FasTrack currently, but I've been sold on what I see on videos.  Both my holiday layouts later this year will utilize the lighted tracks, with the Halloween layout using the Green Alien track and the Christmas layout using the multi-colored track.

Christmas was just a few weeks ago but I can't wait until the next one to use it

@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611

Here's the thread I started last year on the green lighted Fastrak that was included with the Area 51 Set. I posted a couple of short videos where you can see the "action."

Lionel Area 51 Railroad Set with Lighted Track Arrives | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

It's cool, if pricey.  Agree that building a whole layout with it might be both cost prohibitive and a bit of sensory overload.  For sections of a layout, or around the tree or Festivus Pole, nothing could be cooler .

@Landsteiner posted:

It's cool, if pricey.  Agree that building a whole layout with it might be both cost prohibitive and a bit of sensory overload.  For sections of a layout, or around the tree or Festivus Pole, nothing could be cooler .

True that. I wanted to add on to my loop of track that came with the set and spent a few months watching the secondary market. Finally found a seller on the auction site who was breaking up sets and picked up some extra green lighted track for a decent price. Still, I think I have all I need at this point given the special use nature of this track.

I used it around the tree this year. Great for a Christmas layout. I wouldn’t use it for a permanent layout.

I wish Lionel would make the lighted Fastrack in various radius curves.  AFAIK it is only available in O-36 curves.  My Christmas layout uses O-48 curves...would love to get some curved sections.

My son-in-law bought the lighted track for around the Christmas tree, he placed multiple orders through Lionel. They and I like the lighted track but their main complaint is every order has different shades of each color so there is no uniformity. At that price you would think the track would be consistent.

I put it around the tree this year and loved it.  Would not use it on a permanent layout.

Thanks to each of you for the wonderful replies!  Looks like Lionel has a hit on its hands.  Also, John's photos and videos of the Lionel Area 51 set in the thread he posted above are exceptional.  Looks like the consensus is that the track would not be suitable for a permanent layout, but might work for a small section of the layout.  

@Trainmstr posted:

My son-in-law bought the lighted track for around the Christmas tree, he placed multiple orders through Lionel. They and I like the lighted track but their main complaint is every order has different shades of each color so there is no uniformity. At that price you would think the track would be consistent.

His track is different color? Or the LED's are different color? Gave some as gifts over the summer for use at Christmas, maybe they lucked out as no one mentioned color issues.

What I meant is the LEDs themselves are a different shade of each color. Example, the yellow LEDs are a true yellow, a bluish white, or a warm white. Same with the greens, they range from a true green to both sides of the color spectrum. They’re probably buying the LEDs in small lots with no consistency from lot to lot. The variation is noticeable and takes away from the feature.

@johnstrains posted:

True that. I wanted to add on to my loop of track that came with the set and spent a few months watching the secondary market. Finally found a seller on the auction site who was breaking up sets and picked up some extra green lighted track for a decent price. Still, I think I have all I need at this point given the special use nature of this track.

Sounds like a good plan to buy from the secondary market.  I suspect this track may be of seasonal or temporary utility for some hobbyists.

I love the lighted track and use it on my trolley line.

@Rixster posted:

I love the lighted track and use it on my trolley line.

What an elegant idea!

@Rixster posted:

I love the lighted track and use it on my trolley line.

Cool! Night views?

Thankfully all my lighted Fastrak is consistent in color.  I've got it set up on the mantel and using the MTH Christmas trolley. I also have it wired so all the tracks stay lit.  The back and forth banging sound gets old after about 2 minutes, but you can power down and the trolley and track lights stay on to make a nice static display.

I like the lighted track I have. I wish they offered more variety in it.

Great around the Christmas Tree. The only issue that I worry about is the track being stepped on as the clear plastic used seems more brittle than the regular gray FasTrak. Lionel already sent a replacement curve for one which had a crack across the roadbed. It came that way in a new set.

@ClarkA posted:

Thankfully all my lighted Fastrak is consistent in color.  I've got it set up on the mantel and using the MTH Christmas trolley. I also have it wired so all the tracks stay lit.  The back and forth banging sound gets old after about 2 minutes, but you can power down and the trolley and track lights stay on to make a nice static display.

Appreciate the bumping of this thread ClarkA.

Recapping last year, I ended up not doing a Halloween layout but I did make the lighted Fastrack the main element of my Christmas layout.  It was a hit!

@Amfleet25124 posted:

Appreciate the bumping of this thread ClarkA.

Recapping last year, I ended up not doing a Halloween layout but I did make the lighted Fastrack the main element of my Christmas layout.  It was a hit!

Nice Christmas example for a layout using lighted track.  Is this a 5 X 9 layout?

@FrankRazz posted:

Nice Christmas example for a layout using lighted track.  Is this a 5 X 9 layout?

Thanks.  Yes, it was a 5x9 on top of a ping pong table.

I've always wanted the Dept. 56/Lexmark house with the green house.  Who made/makes that movie theater?  The marquee looks great and Die Hard 1 & 2 are Christmas movies.

@ClarkA posted:

I've always wanted the Dept. 56/Lexmark house with the green house.  Who made/makes that movie theater?  The marquee looks great and Die Hard 1 & 2 are Christmas movies.

ClarkA, the movie house is made by Atlas O and is called the Elektra Theater, and you can put your own wording on the marquee.   Yes, the first two Die Hard's are Christmas movies . Also the greenhouse is part of Kohl's department store's St. Nicholas Square Village collection.

I had to have it and I absolutely love it. The kids love it too and got the wife's seal of approval as well!

I'm not sure if it's feasible, butI only wish Lionel would also make half straights (as you can see in the screen grab)

I use a few sections in front of the Christmas layout.

I haven't used it because under the tree I use o48 but our local shop put up a Christmas display with it and it does look pretty neat, the kids really like it.