Fastrack or Atlas O

Hello Kyle. There are a number of great forum threads on this very subject that are worth a search. You should check them out and will get many varied opinions.

As for me personally, I started with a relatively large Fastrack layout (14x30, five separate loops).  I used Homosote and foam based on recommendations on the forum. And it was still unbelievably loud. Rail sounds were irrelevant because they were completely drowned out by the noise from the track. I ripped it all out and sold it off. I replaced it with Atlas and the difference in noise level is night and day. I also much prefer the look of Atlas.

That’s my experience.  Others on this forum have built fantastic layouts with Fastrack. YMMV.

My personal preference is Atlas O track on cork roadbed. I have two layouts (completed in 2004 and 2019), both still in operation. In my opinion, it is the most realistic-looking track. I also think the solid nickel-silver rail is better than tubular. I ballast only the outer edges of the cork. Some people criticize the switches but mine have been satisfactory.

MELGAR

I can only recommend fastrack to anyone running a layout on a carpet surface as it is extremely loud. There are techniques to suppress the sound and also some excellent layouts using fastrack but it is extremely loud and the center pins wear out and can require adjustment for seamless operation.

Atlas track looks really nice ,but I would also recommend looking at Ross and Gargraves. The only reason I didn’t retrack my layout with Atlas was availability and cost constrains. I have please with my choice!

Ross makes switches that mimic a prototype railroad and also has traditional turnouts that use a curve on the diverging fork. The rails are spiked to wooden ties.

Ross and Gargraves work together as there pins are the same and rail profile height is similar.

I only have two pieces of Gargraves flex track but the construction for holding the ties to the rails is different.

@The-576-Guy posted:

Hi there! I've been exploring different types of train tracks for a while now and have experienced some difficulties with Fastrack. I'm considering switching to Atlas O because of its realistic look, but I don't want to switch to another track type just yet. Could you share your personal opinions on Fastrack and Atlas O? I would really appreciate it as it will help me decide which one would work best for my layout. Thank you! - Kyle

Kyle, We have atlas o with 072 curves, an 18 by 24 ft layout with 32 switch tracks.  I would compare atlas o to ross track's price. When I purchased my atlas o from a train guys widow a few years ago, ross was 2x the price, but perhaps not now. I suffered thru the very well documented atlas switch track problems with 18 out of 22 switch tracks bad, but past warranty when I finally put them on my new trainboard. Never buy your atlas switches all at one time like we initially did.  Atlas has a this point, 5 years out, redesigned their switch track 4 times, with many more solder points and wire changes. Ross switches are way, way more reliable. Ross can customize and track you need and always honors a warranty- in our case, a hard lesson learned. Fasttrack is noisy, less nice looking after ballasting, but available everywhere. Atlas o is much harder to find, usually available at mostly  trainworld. Atlas pricing getting the track from atlas is very expensive. yes, check the forum posts.

Fastrack does have its issues, but I like it for several reasons:

1.) Command-Controlled Switches; no extra equipment (ASCs, SC2s) needed to control them from my Legacy Remote

2.) Ease of use

3.) I like the look of the roadbed

4.) My first Lionel train set (which I still have) has Fastrack; I've invested a lot of time and money on FT, so that's what I'm using for my new permanent layout.

Yes, there is a bit of noise with the hollow roadbed, but I've seen Fastrack layouts where builders like Sean of Sean's Train Depot, Sid of Sid's Trains, RBP Chris, and PGH Train Fanatic have done some work to quiet the sound (ballast, foam, sound-deadening material, Homasote, etc.). I myself use a thin foam that has worked well for me for several years. If you wire the track right, the electrical issues some have reported with FT can be alleviated.

I've never used MTH Realtrax, but I've heard different opinions about it.

MTH Scaletrax is another option, if it can be found (does MTH even make Scaletrax anymore?). If you want to find out more about Scaletrax, check out the Black Diamond RR video series that is available from the Toy Trains on Tracks website. I've never seen the videos, but Rich Battista has some videos on Youtube, and his layout looks amazing.

Been here.  Gargraves.  Fastrack. Atlas.  Tubular. Not in order.
1) If fixed permanent layout where cost is no option, track will be seen and high realism is desired and sound is a factor (ignoring center rail) = Atlas  + Ross switches.  
2) If high shelf layout where no track is visible and cost is a factor and/or just a loop = Gargraves. It also is fantastic where track can be seen. It’s price point is much more attractive than Atlas.
3) If carpet/floor/temporary layout = Fastrack. It’s noisy but reconfigurable. Remote control switches are great and super easy to configure and control out of the box with no wires.

I’ve had/have all 3.  Atlas can be a challenge to bend/cut/align.  If you can buy the curves, do it. Even bending an O-117 (I believe O-108 is their largest) was a chore and by about the 4th or 5th curve started to get a handle on it.  But at like $35/flex section it was an expensive lesson.

What are you running?  If postwar conventional, I'd go with fastrack. I've noticed that the Atlas track tends to wear a little heavier on my postwar wheel flanges. Now this could be based on the speed I run conventional trains and the narrow curves that I have (all O31), but its something I've kept an eye on.   If you run mostly modern command control, particularly at slower speeds and wider curves,  then I'd go with Atlas. 

used Atlas, very happy with it. Also used Homasote. Been up for over 3 years and haven't had to clean it. Did have some issues with the switches but easily fixed. Also switched motors to Tortoise. Layout size is 16x25

I used all Atlas on my 20 X 65 foot layout with Woodland Scenics foam roadbed.  I tried a number of different combos of sound deadening roadbed and was satisfied that this was best for me.  I wanted what I felt was the most realistic looking track and have not regretted it.  I have about 75 Atlas switches of all ages and have my share of problems with them.  All the problems are currently solved, as far as I know.  We replaced all the switch machines with Tortoise's and have been happy with that as well.  Ross also makes excellent switches and they are compatible with Atlas.  If I had it to due over again, I would consider Ross switches with Atlas track.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

Art

Fastrack is loud, and actually not that easy to work with IMO.  My first choice would be Ross.  But Ross doesn't make their excellent switches in O36.  So if you're still asking about that 12x6 space you mentioned in your other post, using Ross would restrict your choices to O31 (very sharp curves that are quite limiting) or O42 (probably a bit big for your space.)

Your other choice is Atlas, which like Fastrack comes in O36.  Note, all of these numbers are a nominal DIAMETER, not radius.  I would avoid the temptation to buy Atlas switches used.  Allegedly, Atlas has made some design improvements over the years.   If you can afford to buy the track and switches brand-new it might be a good experience.

It's hard to believe anyone is building new layouts with O31 these days.  One of these years Ross will perceive the market opportunity of selling switches that are a direct replacement for Fastrack, and they'll offer curve replacement switches in O36.  Still waiting!!

Atlas O and cork roadbed for approximately 20 years now. It’s quiet and I’ve had no problems. I’m no working on my 2nd layout using the same track and switches.

I like the atlas track,  it is nickel rails, so magantraction won't work on it, in case you want to have grades. 

The atlas switches can be problematic.  I will need to learn more aboutthe Tortoise machines that  @Chugman mentioned.  I also used the form roadbeds and only put balast along the sides of the track, so its not between the rails. I highly recommend the book by Dennis Brennan,  "Realistic Modeling for Toy Trains: A Hi-Rail Guide" for that balast tip. (the book is on Amazon).  You can see how this looks in the picture below.

I am very happy with my Atlas track (appearance, noise control).  I ran power leads to all 3 center rails of each turnout, so I have not had any of the problems with failure of the jumper wires.  I also mix in 2-rail rolling stock in my trains and it runs well on Altas track.  

My minimum curves are O-72, and bending the flex track is a bear.  Even using all the recommendations for managing rail joints on a curve, I still have a few slight kinks that annoy me.  If I were to do it over, I would stick to Atlas sectional track except in very broad curves.

Bob

There were no contributions to this thread about traditional Lionel tubular track and corresponding switches - which are installed on my L-shaped 15x19 feet layout. I wanted to re-create my boyhood layout of the 1950s for the sake of nostalgia, even though it's not realistic like Atlas O, Ross, and Gargraves.  I applaud the efforts of hobbyists who strive for realism with track, ballast, and rust-color painted rails.

My small holiday carpet layout at the base of the Christmas tree is Lionel FasTrack. Santa approves it, and our great grandkids love it.  I added two manual FasTrack O36 switches to the route, but the flimsy plastic switch stands were soon broken by overly enthusiastic youngsters. I should have bought the electric version without Command Control.

A handy feature -- the FasTrack terminal track section accepts track power from a Lionel Wall Wart via its plug-in connector. My locos equipped with LionChief 2.0+ accept FasTrack without complaint.

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394

Atlas on cork road bed. You have to be patient with the switches if you buy some used on eBay. Not sure about now but when I was building my layout I bought bunches of used track and switches for cheap. The really old switch machines were hit and miss. The early switches had very poor wire connections so you had to take extra steps to make sure power was everywhere it was supposed to be or you would get stalls. The newer switches are much better but I still put power (wires soldered to rail joiners) on all three legs of the switch. Also consider DZ-1000 switch machines instead of the Atlas machine. I have about a dozen Atlas machines on my layout. Some operate like new. Others are struggling as they get older. No regrets though. I love the look and the sound of Atlas track.

It hasn't been mentioned, but FasTrack rails are steel and subject to rust.  Atlas rails are nickelsilver which if it oxidizes it doesn't affect conductivity or appearance.  So if you are in a humid climate choose Atlas over FasTrack (or Gargraves and Ross as they use tin-plated steel rails too).

Atlas rail connectors are used to connect Atlas track to Ross track.  Ross' rails have a similar crosssection appearance to Atlas rail and real rails and are spiked to the wooden ties.  Gargraves rails are embedded into the wood ties which prevents slipping on the Atlas rail connectors.

Atlas makes special adapter pins that combine the Atlas rail joiner with the respective pins used by the other manufacturers.

Jan

My experience with Fastrack made me go to tubular track to get some peace and quiet, and to get better electrical connections.

@The-576-Guy posted:

Hi there! I've been exploring different types of train tracks for a while now and have experienced some difficulties with Fastrack. I'm considering switching to Atlas O because of its realistic look, but I don't want to switch to another track type just yet. Could you share your personal opinions on Fastrack and Atlas O? I would really appreciate it as it will help me decide which one would work best for my layout. Thank you! - Kyle

In the years since I returned to the hobby, I've used pretty much all of the track types offered. Given a choice between FasTrack and Atlas-O, I'd choose Atlas-O for it's more realistic appearance, conductivity (nickel-silver doesn't rust), noise suppression, mounting style, and Atlas' systematic approach to curve sizes (4.5" spacing). Depending on your needs/layout size and expansion, that consistent spacing design allows you to upgrade your curve sizes down the road. All new alignments at Angels Gate Hi-Railers were done with Atlas, replacing the Gargraves.  Paradise and Pacific also uses Atlas track with good results over the years. The one potential weak spot is the turnouts as they don't like repeated handling/assembly -- they're meant to be permanently mounted (and don't rely on the internal wiring for continuity -- put feeds on each end).

Hope this helps.