FasTrack switch question.

If you have no plans of going command control, then you don't need the command switches.  Should you want to go command, years down the road, you can still add SC-2s to your switches to fire them with a cab1 or 2 remote.

Switches and curves...
Try to go with the largest curves you can fit on your layout.  All trains look better on larger curves.  I use FasTrack O-60 and O72 now with a passing siding that has O-48.  I try to use O-72 switches as much as possible.  Mainly because no matter how large a layout I have in the future, I can always use them.

Modeltrainstuff.com is one of the best places to pick up FasTrack.  Great prices and excellent service.  I've ordered from them many times.

 

 

Awesome, thanks for the info and suggestions, Keith. 

 

Yeah, so far, modeltrainstuff has the best prices I could find, so looks like I'll stick with them.

 

Cheers!

 

-richard

I think the command control switches do not come with the wired remotes.

 

You might want to look into that unless you get into Legacy before you get the switches.

Yes the command control switches do come with a wired control. You can remove them if you are using the cab 2 to control them.

Yes the command control switches do come with a wired control. You can remove them if you are using the cab 2 to control them.

If you're planning on command in the near future, that would be 1-2 years, I'd go with the command switches.  They've really cool, just slap them down and control them remotely!  If you don't need the manual controls (yes, they're in the box), you don't have to run any wires.

 

I would concur that purchasing the command control switches makes a lot of sense. Charlie Ro was selling them at York at what seemed to be very good prices.

 

Before you can decide which switches you need you need to decide how big your layout in the future might be. If you can accommodate 072 that would be the way to go otherwise you may need to narrow your choices.

Yes if you plan on upgrading down the road it would be worth buying the Command control switch now. But if you have no intent of upgrading it would not be worth the extra cost. But the command control switches will have the controls included for manual operation...

I started with wired switches ... but then added four command control switches.  I wish all my switches were command control.  You don't need the space to mount the wired ones... and you can throw the switches anywhere you are standing.  Again you have to have legacy like I do, but I really enjoy that feature of Legacy. As far as curves are concerned... I have a small 10 x 10 layout.  I wanted to get as much as I could into the area so I went all 036 curves.  I can't run bigger engines but I'm running more trains than I could otherwise.  Just my two cents.  Have fun no matter what you do!...

Richard:

 

I am not a frequent contributor here, but have been in your exact situation.  I now have four O72 command control switches, and they are simply fantastic.  They are fantastic because I have the Legacy control system.  Like Robert W., I wish all of my switches had command control, and eventually they all will.  As for whether you should get into command control, I see no reason (other than expense of course) to forgo this.  It really opens up huge possibilities.  Worst comes to worst, you could lose interest and sell your switches down the line on this forum.  They'll go like hotcakes.

These guys are $5 cheaper on the CC fastrack switches.

 

Grzyboskis Trains

always check shipping charges. some charge a flat rate and some charge actual shipping cost.  so even if item price is less you pay more to ship.  especially if the item has to cross the Mississippi river.

Actually, just the plain TMCC system works fine with these, they're TMCC accessories.  Obviously, Legacy is better.

Wow, thanks for all the input. Great to see how welcoming and informative this community is!

 

=)

 

 

Has Lionel resumed production of the FasTrack switches?  I remember reading some time ago that they were scarce.

Aaron