I have fastrack with black center curve rails and silver curve center rails.
Is there difference?
GG1GUYY
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The black rail is older. No difference.
GG1GUYY posted:I have fastrack with black center curve rails and silver curve center rails.
Is there difference?
GG1GUYY
Lionel produce it with the black rail when Fasttrack was first introduced.. .but then did away with it shortly thereafter, saying the black rail was more conspicuous than just leaving the center rail natural. (It likely also saved them money too.)
I agree. I blackened the center rail on one 30 inch but did not like it. The contrasting with the light colored road bed did make it stand out more. It works with the MTH track because the roadbed is dark. I used a bright boy on the MTH center rail removing the black just on the top. It greatly improved the conductivity.
Back in 2005, when I first bought Fastrack, I had a choice. I chose the silver center rail. The black center rail stuck out, visually, against the light colored ballast. If you want the ideal look, "rust" the outer 2 rails and leave the center silver.
Yes, I "rust" (paint) the outer rails and leave the center rail alone. Being shiny it mirrors the ties/ballast which makes it less visible, or at least less conspicuous. For this reason the very shiny center rail is one of the things I really like about Fastrack.
Exactly what i did (to one piece anyway) You are right. At an angle the reflections of the ties on the center rail gives the illusion that it is not there.
FasTrack design has changed over 15 years.
The black rail was only produced for a year or two at the beginning. But other elements were modified, too, including the roadbed and the track pins. Many people prefer the older versions of the track, which tended to stay connected better.
All versions are compatible.
I had a pin snap on one of the newer ones simply separating two sections. I was surprised to find the pins are cast not solid steel. Good for no rust ect but I cannot see it being better electric conductor. Also i have learned to use gloves while handling the new stuff after leaving blood stain on the road bed very sharp edges! I think maybe i will put some kind of “road kill” there and not bother cleaning it. Hey that’s what cow catchers are for anyway.
