Electrical and Material Questions For Building An Elevated Trolley Track With Lionel Lighted Fastrack

Have you considered Menards O Gauge tubular track for that?

John

Thanks Craftech.  I wasn't aware that Menards made a comparable product to Lionel's lighted Fastrack  (for example, Lionel Lighted Fastrack 10" straight 4 pack SKU 202510).  

Also, I'm interested in the roadbed of the Fastrack.  

@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

Thanks Craftech.  I wasn't aware that Menards made a comparable product to Lionel's lighted Fastrack  (for example, Lionel Lighted Fastrack 10" straight 4 pack SKU 202510).  

Also, I'm interested in the roadbed of the Fastrack.  

No, not lighted.  I only suggested it because it is very rigid, goes across a wide span self supporting, and you can see through it if you have other locos running underneath.

But I can totally understand if you want the new lighted FasTrack.  Looks pretty cool.

John

@Craftech posted:

... I only suggested it because it is very rigid, goes across a wide span self supporting, and you can see through it if you have other locos running underneath...

John

Thanks John.  All very valid considerations!

@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

I’m planning to set up an elevated track using lighted fastrack for a Lionel trolley.  This track will be powered by a separate “handle”, with separate power and ground terminals on my ZW-L transformer.  

Questions:

1.  Can I use 36” lighted fastrack curve sections in an “S” curve, or must electrical conductivity be maintained by mating a specific outside rail to another specific outside rail, section by section ( e.g. sort of like an insulated section of track that requires one outside rail to be insulated, with wheel contact completing the circuit.)  I just don’t understand the electrical principles behind the operation of these sections…

2.  Can I use 16 sections of lighted fastrack  on an elevated track, using Lionel trestles?

3.  What Lionel fastrack section is needed for the electrical connection for such an elevated track to my ZW-L?  

4.  What is the power wire (or cable) needed?

5. Will the trolley trigger the sequential lighting of the fastrack sections, or is a piece with more wheel sets required?

Thank You!

1. Yes it appears this is possible. As shown in this linked thread, each section of lighted Fastrack has 2 insulating gaps on the same outside rail, one gap near both ends that allows the train wheels/axles to complete a circuit between the 2 outside rails on each track piece.  So, it wouldn't matter which orientation (left or right) the curve turns.

2. Yes, I believe so, the factory roadbed molds for lighted fasTrack appear to be the same as regular FasTrack.

3. You can wire to the tabs under any regular curved or straight section with 0.010" Faston Terminal connectors connected to any O gauge AC transformer, or purchase the Lionel #2025070 Lighted FasTrack Terminal Track to use with LionChief DC power supplies and Locomotives.

4. see #3 above

5. A trolley with metal wheels and axles will trigger the lighting sequence.

Thanks, Steve!  Exceptional detective work and electrical analyses!

Also, I have no experience with Fastrack, so your additional insights are also very helpful.

Finally, if I understand the implicit summary of your electrical conclusion, each section of Lighted Fastrack is essentially a 10", complete "insulated block", with that individual track's lighting activation accomplished completely within that track.

Although not important, I still don't understand how the random gaps in the outer rails caused by not maintaining one continuously grounded outer rail don't break the circuit in parts of the layout.

@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

Thanks, Steve!  Exceptional detective work and electrical analyses!

Also, I have no experience with Fastrack, so your additional insights are also very helpful.

Finally, if I understand the implicit summary of your electrical conclusion, each section of Lighted Fastrack is essentially a 10", complete "insulated block", with that individual track's lighting activation accomplished completely within that track.

Yes that's right, each lighted FasTrack track piece can either be a 10" straight or O36 full Curve.  Each track piece has it's own section of isolated outer rail just shy of the piece's ends.  That isolated outer rail section is also insulated from the other outside rail.  The track piece is not a complete insulated block in the usual sense, because the center rail is not gapped (isolated).

@Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

..Although not important, I still don't understand how the random gaps in the outer rails caused by not maintaining one continuously grounded outer rail don't break the circuit in parts of the layout.

The two ends of the outside rail (with the isolated section) should be factory wired directly to each other in order to provide connectivity between the two ends of that rail.  My guess is that Lionel foresaw the need to connect these short outside rail sections (outside the gaps on both ends near the rail connecting pins) to provide connectivity throughout the completed track layout, regardless of individual track piece orientation.

In the picture below, the outside rail gaps are highlighted in yellow.  Outside rails connections, as I believe them to be, are shown with the black "wire".

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Steve!  That was a very detailed, insightful and understandable explanation.  Your presentation very clearly shows why the ground connectivity is maintained.

These track represent a pretty ingenious design by Lionel!  

I have just installed two of the Lionel lighted Christmas track systems.  I have been running my MTH Christmas trolley very well on this track but I found you must keep the orientation of the cut rails consistent.  In a continuous loop the cuts are in the outside rails.  When you add strait pieces to this design you must orient the straight track with the cuts on the same side.  My experience is that to mix the sides will cause intermittent running with the Trolley.  I am also running a new legacy Camel back on the tree layout and it is working fine. I did find that some of the new lighted track had loose pin connectors that caused shorting.  This can be fixed with pliers and tightening the folded tabs inside the track. The overall effect is enchanting!