Converting LCS track to Atlas track .here is the progress.

Nice. Would spiking the atlas o rails to the roadbed for additional strength cause any issues?

I don't think we would put spikes in it is pretty solid and once the two ends of the Atlas track is screwed down and ballasted it won't move.  

Looks pretty cool.  I really like what you have done.  I have atlas track also and was wondering of a good way to do it and it looks like you have found it.  Looking forward to the installed pics.

 

Thanks a bunch for sharing.

Looks great, Harry!  This seems to be the definitive way to go when incorporating LCS sensor track into non-Fastrack layouts.  I posted a thread a while back using Fastrack transition pieces, but I like this approach better.  I also used Rossbed roadbed which provided matching rail heights flush with the LCS sensor roadbed.  A little bit of ballast over the surrounding roadbed, and everything blends in nicely.  

 

Did you use a Dremel tool with a cut-off disc to remove those plastic tabs on the LCS sensor track?

 

David 

I'd probably just use flush-cut wire cutters to nip them off, much easier than doing it with the Dremel too.

 

Nice work. Looks like a fun project too.

Not to be a pessimist, however, I would have tested the track first before possibly voiding any warranty.

Haven't heard much wrong with this LCS part...actually most of the LCS seems pretty solid.

We have that covered Barry, not to worry.

 

Well can't wait till Sunday night to hook it all up with the guys.

This will be a great learning experience for all the guys in the Club And I will have 

 the expiring to help our costumers out with there Wifi. This works as win win For all.

 

 

Harry,

 

Very nicely done!!!

 

Alex

Well we got the LCS track put in and ballasted around it.

we cut a hole under the LCS track for the plugs and axas to the bottom of the LCS track.

The hole is 1 1/2inx2in. Then we hooked cables up and put track in it's place.

then the ballast was put on carefully.by John devlin and my self.

this worked out for putting Atlas track on the LCS. 

 Why John will ( gunrunner john) worked on the WIFI.

It took some time to figure things out but we got it running.

we still need to spend time under standing it all. 

 I got to run engines but could not get motor sounds to ramp up when moving? 

This is next thin to figure out. 

Watch the video and you see the green light light when engine goes over track.

it shows up on the map and tells what engine is there. 

Will be playing with this for a while. And now all the fun starts. 

 

 

I "adjusted" the ballast and took another picture.   It hides in there pretty well once you have ballast around it. 

 

 

That is a great job!  Can't wait to find out more as you continue to experiment and learn with this new technology.  I have all Atlas track so it is very helpful to me.

 

Art

Out of curiosity, isn't there an adapter track from Lionel or Atlas?

That's interesting. You can't really tell them apart (unless you look at the ties, but that shouldn't be a big deal).

There are tubular transition tracks. At 5" long it would be 15" of Fastrack added in.

Looks like he removed the Atlas ties from the track and slid the Fastrak section minus rails in underneath the existing Atlas rails. Nice feature but if it is only coming as Fastrack that will reduce sales a lot. Friends here have Atlas, MTH, Ross, and Gargraves layouts who seem to be not very interesting in hacking out the ballast and track work. Two pieces that slide between the ties with ample cable is more their way of proceeding. And the cost?, one is a four mainline PRR layout, with just two grade crossings he is at over $600 plus whatever for the station and yards easily at $1,800+ in sensors alone.

If you do not want to use the Fastrack, just remove the electronics and install it in any brand you like..... just a bunch of screws, no big deal.

What I mean is that the ties on the Sensor Track Vs. the Atlas O track are different sizes. But he could gradually sand down the ties on the Atlas O track to make the ties roughly the same size.

i am much intrigued by the LCS concept and would love to implement, however, i have no interest in retrofitting into my layout.  it isn't the cost.  it is the amount of work it would require.

Wow...it's just a small part of the existing track being mildly modified for the sensor electronics to slip under. Less than wiring a dwarf signal or whatever.

I don't get the $1800 comment...that would buy 22 sensor tracks.

Using Ross or Gargraves track by cutting out the ties, and placing the rails over the sensor track.  I'll have to try this.

I'm not sure why it's that much work.  Sure, it's some effort, but if you did the whole layout, fixing a small part where the sensor tracks go isn't exactly a huge undertaking.  What am I missing?

That's all it took with the Atlas track, cut away the section the size of the base.

 

I recommend removing the electronics before doing the surgery on the base, you'll have to chop off all the nubs for the rail guides.  An easy way is with flush-cut wire cutters, nice and quick.

 

4 track main line to cover both sides of every grade crossing and station stops, he calculated that is minimum needed. Plus wires I guess? And with it being ballasted track and fully sceniced not a small bit of work.

 

Looking forward to either someone doing it cheaper on a smaller layout or someone with a larger budget.

Hi Forrest,

 

You can still use LCS components, such as the LCS WiFi and the iPad App, without installing any SensorTracks. 

Well got home from work and went down to trains to relax.

 Got to mess around with trains for a little bit 2 or 3 hours latter.

the LCS track is great for recording a lap around the layout. It keep the recording every time.it keep it all the way around the layout the one loop is between 800to900 feet long.

it keep the horn at all the grade crossings And the crew talk. It picks up IR signal and 

shows what engine went over and tells you what it is. 

the WIFI is a going to be a deferent subject. 

it has been fun so far.