Anyone run scale trains on Lionel's Fastrack?

I have not ran larger curve fast track, but have run O36 with an 042 rated six axle diesel. We used to have a carpet layout which was just an oval, and the locomotive ran pretty well for being on carpet. I could run about a 15 to 20 car train on it without many problems at all. Just make sure that the locomotives do not get any threads caught in the bottom of gear boxes, otherwise you will be disassembling trucks and gears to pull out threads. Had this happen with a GP30 and it wasn’t fun. Just make sure that the tracks are clear before running.

My only scale loco is Lionel's SD60M LC+, which runs on O-36.   Of course, no problems on Fastrack.

For larger scale layouts, I think it is time for Lionel to produce a #5 turnout, to go with their O-84 and O-96 curves.

I would think that the only issue you would have is the rotation of the track on its roadbed when there is a laterally unbalanced load on the track.  This would be most evident with the curves.

More weight would be on the inside rail which would cause the inside edge of the roadbed to sink into the carpet resulting the inside rail being lower than the outside rail.

I don't see this as being a problem with diesels but a heavy, long wheelbase steamer could possibly have the drivers derail.

There was posted on the Forum a solution for a temporary and portable layout that i think would be ideal for you.  The Forumite built modular roadbeds out of finished plywood that he would latch together as it was assembled.  The roadbed was like 6" wider than the track.  Straight modules were like 4' to 8' long.  Curved modules were made in 1/4 circles.  There were even pieces with switches.  It took him only minutes to assemble/disassemble, and he stored the pieces behind furniture.

Perhaps someone will remember it and post a link to the thread.

Jan

My VL-BB runs fine on O72 Fastrack on the carpet, I don't see any issue running most any O72 rated locomotive on it.  I have a number of other O72 rated locomotives none that I can think of had any issue with running on Fastrack.

Even though they look a little awkward on the curves, I can run my nearly 24" long Autoracks on my O72 Fastrack "Carpet Central" with no issues.

All I use is FasTrack and my scale trains run fine on them. I don’t have a layout so I just lay the track right on the carpet.

I believe the style of carpet plays a factor in running trains on carpet ! 

The deep shag carpets appear not to  hold the fast track to well !  That is based on my experiences . 

I prefer the low level commercial carpets for fast track .  

jd-train posted:

I've been away from the forum for awhile, as I tore down my basement layout about 16 months ago.  That layout was a traditional layout using Ross/Gargraves.  Fast-forward and we have moved into a new rental townhouse until I retire (4 more years) and I have the basement rec room for my trains.  I'm looking at a carpet layout and have a 16' x 12' area available for use.  I have spent some time and have come up with the following two layouts:

The outer loop has O-84 curves while the inner loop has O-72 curves.  All turnouts are O-72's.  

The track on the top and right sides of the drawings above will stay on the floor (including all turnouts) while the rest will be taken up when not in use.

Anyone run the larger diameter Fastrack and what do you think of it?  How about running larger trains on the carpet?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Jim

At first glance by the header I thought you meant "SCALE" as in scale wheeled trains. Our only experience has been that constantly setting up and taking down these track systems the electrical connections become problematic over time.