Fastrack

Hi Joe,

Each piece of FasTrack has at least one set of small spade connectors on the underside for power connections. You can also use these to tap power for accessories if required.

If you don't have any of the small connectors handy, you can buy the FasTrack 6-12016 'Terminal Section', which comes with a set of power wires attached. These are also useful if you are running on a table top, as they have a notch in the side for the wires to come out of. 

No lock-ons are needed, plus FasTrack is very easy to put-together/take apart. I use it on my 5x8 layout as well as a Christmas layout.

I'm looking forward to seeing how complex some of our Forum members can make this thread .

Thank for the help people.  I just wanted to have everything needed on hand when the track started showing up.  I've got Lionel Lockon's galore for tubular and the realtrax lockons, but entering the fastrack world is new to me.  Thanks again.

Yup, the quick disconnect terminals are .110.

Just type .110 in the search box on eBay and choose your flavor. I found that to be the cheapest source.

You can also find the .110 quick disconnects at auto parts stores, though if you need more than a few that can get much more expensive than buying a bunch online.

Steve

Ladies & Gentlemen,

   I use Larry Sr method and I also purchase the Lionel wires when I can get them on sale, recently they have gone way up in cost, so as Larry SR indicated it's good to know the spade parts needed, to construct your own. 

jpos, if you are running any DCS Tin Plate do not throw away your Lionel lighted lock ons, your old 072 switches work well with your new FasTrack, and you can use

your lighted lock ons as DCS magic lights in front of each switch, as shown in the picture below.

PCRR/Dave

Sir, Thanks for the info on the switches, good to know.  I'm slowly, and I mean SLOWLY heading into the Tinplate realm and my intent was to use my standard O track for that purpose, on a seperate line.  But...good lord, I just tally'd up the total for just a portion of the Fastrack I need, and it looks like I'll be eating Ramen Noodles and Peanut Butter/Jelly for a bit just to get my first 2 lines laid down.  The sacrifices we make.  Not sure the better half will be too keen on PB&J nightly, but if I can somehome manage to sculpt a pot roast out of it and the Ramen, I may be able to make things happen sooner rather than later.

Shop around for your fastrack, check the volume dealers  like Charles Ro, Trainworld  and Grzyboskis to name a few. I had gotten turnouts from Grzyboskis for nearly half price a couple years ago.

Good prices on fastrack can be found on ebay  as well. You could post here on the WTB forum, folks  may looking to get rid of extra at a reasonable price.

jpos,

   Something else to consider, especially for keeping the cost down when purchasing FasTrack.  Go to the train shows in your area, independent dealers like Harry Neil here in the Pittsburgh area, usually have quality new and used FasTrack, available at about 1/2 the cost.  Don't be leary of the original Fastrack with the black midrail, it works just fine.  I have purchased a lot of it thru the years, and mixed in with the rest of your FasTrack, has no effect on a properly wired DCS layout. 

You can actually see some of it, in the prior picture on the 2nd level of our DCS layout, located on the far left of the picture.

Flash is correct Modeltrainstuff.com does have great prices on new FasTrack.

PCRR/Dave