First time post... Can I mix Atlas track with Lionel Fastrack Switches? Any potential problems I should be aware of?
I like the look of Atlas but hear Fastrack switches are more reliable and easier to install.
Larry
Original Post
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Larry,
1st what Atlas track are you running, Atlas O or the new White Cloud that comes in some of the new Atlas trains sets?
PCRR/Dave
Actually, I haven't purchased any Atlas track yet as I'm still in the planning phase. I was thinking of the "regular" 3 rail Atlas O. Maybe I should consider the new track?
Larry,
You may want to invest in one of the Atlas train sets that has the White Cloud
track and try it, its a lot like FasTrack. Some people really love it. From what I understand, Atlas is way behind in production of this track, because they moved their main facility this year. You might like the Atlas O better and want to try that 1st, it's probably more available. I plan on acquiring one of of these Atlas train sets, with the White Cloud track myself, to try the track with my FasTrack.
PCRR/Dave
I mixed Atlas O and Fastrack Switches and had no problems. I used the Fastrack Switches in a hidden staging yard and Ross switches on the visible portions. I have never had a problem with the Fastrack Switches. Just be sure your transition pieces are smooth.
Bob
Th Atlas Industrial Rail track is pretty good but one thing I don't like is the connector pins. They're small and easy to loose when setting up on a carpet layout. One good thing about it is it mates to Atlas O track perfectly by taking out the connector pins and using regular Atlas O connectors, no adapter piece needed.
Ron
Does anyone have a link to the "white Cloud" track on its own? Anyone know if it's quieter than fastrack?
If you search for Atlas Industrial Rail you should get several hits. Here's a link to Atlas... http://www.atlaso.com/IR/irtrack.htm
Larry
About the same as Fastrack as far as noise is concerned. I ran it on the carpet for my Christmas layout this last year. Bear in mind there is a very limited amount of track sizes available and no remote switches just manual 036.
Ron
Larry & RailFan, thanks. Thought they may have come out with a new product seperate from the Industrial Rail. Didn't realize Atlas thought IR was so nice they needed to name it twice
EDIT: Just removed an extra "thanks" that made my reply sound very snarky.
Nuc Tuber,
Did not mean to mislead you, I will use the Industrail Rail/White Cloud name for
now on.
PCRR/Dave
No worries Dave.
Planning a layout, and I've been going back and forth between Fastrack & Atlas w/ Ross. At christmas, "Santa" set up a dogbone with fastrack on the carpet. I was very surprised the amount of noise that still eminated. So if IR/"WC" was quieter but had the simplicity of fastrack, I might have thought about changing over
Nuc Tuber,
You will not see much of a change in the noise level with IR/WC, the engineering is pretty much the same. If you think the noise level was high on carpet, you should hear it on solid wood. The best way to keep the noise level down when using FasTrack or IR/WC is to use a light indoor/outdoor carpet under the traditional grass like covering, the sound level drops very noticeably.
Mixing FasTrack Switches and Atlas O is not a problem, its done all the time with transition track. Notice I transition in and out of old Lionel 711 & 072 Switches.
PCRR/Dave
FasTrack on solid wood, 5 levels high. I definitely know when someone cranks up the trains.
Christmas layout with both FasTrack & RealTrax ovals, on indoor/outdoor Carpert
under the grass type covering, to lower the noise level of both trains.
Dave, It sounds like Atlas makes transition track for Atlas 21st Century-Phnatom Rail to Fastrack? I think I saw the White Cloud transition track but really wanted to go strat from Atlas into the Fastrack switch (without having to cut the Fastrack Pins...Solution out there? Thanks!!
Mark
Originally Posted by Pine Creek Railroad:
Nuc Tuber,
You will not see much of a change in the noise level with IR/WC, the engineering is pretty much the same. If you think the noise level was high on carpet, you should hear it on solid wood. The best way to keep the noise level down when using FasTrack or IR/WC is to use a light indoor/outdoor carpet under the traditional grass like covering, the sound level drops very noticeably.
Mixing FasTrack Switches and Atlas O is not a problem, its done all the time with transition track. Notice I transition in and out of old Lionel 711 & 072 Switches.
PCRR/Dave
FasTrack on solid wood, 5 levels high. I definitely know when someone cranks up the trains.
Christmas layout with both FasTrack & RealTrax ovals, on indoor/outdoor Carpert
under the grass type covering, to lower the noise level of both trains.
Well Now I know the name of the track that came with my WBB Lakeshore Limited Train set. The track there is the Industrial Rail/White Cloud? track. Now I think WBB is going to put their own NEW 3 Rail Snap Track in these sets.
