Fastrack Trestle

Tubular track from Menards.

I didn’t use the fastrack trestle set but I do have elevated fastrack that sits in two pieces of outside corner moulding.  I had the same concern about ballasted track floating in the air.

Imo, not a good idea. Floating ballast is the least of the problems.

The incline is too steep, and the trestle setup is simply too flimsy.

I floated it on my trestles.  Does not look that great, but did it anyway. and on my elevated trolley line I used Atlas.

Thanks for your feedback.  Fastrak Treslte is not the best. If I use it, I will try something like ScottF' s suggestion. I got these girder bridge side plate from eBay. (O Scale Trestle Closed Girder Sides - Set of 2 with Connecting Clips)

The trestle flex still worries me.

@ScottF posted:

I didn’t use the fastrack trestle set but I do have elevated fastrack that sits in two pieces of outside corner moulding.  I had the same concern about ballasted track floating in the air.

Scott - great idea a great look!

How did you attach the corner molding to the trestles?

Did you attach the fastrack too?

I used MTH Elevated Trestles to support an upper level of my layout.  That level is the "Christmas Division" served by three short trolley lines running along three sides of my layout with 36 DEPT 56 North Pole Village structures situated up there.

The "platform" of that level is 12-inch white laminated boards for three bump-and-go trolley lines that run on Lionel O27 unballasted tubular rails with DC power provided to them by one PC Power Supply. I needed the sharp O27 curves to fit the space. There's sufficient space for all the DEPT 56 buildings.

The trestles are mounted UNDERNEATH the boards and are set parallel to the edges of the board, not across the width of the boards because the mainline tracks of the lower level run underneath them. The trestles are mostly hidden from view, although they aren't "ugly." There is no ramp between the levels. Simple, but effective.  Some photos attached.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

I guess I don't have a problem with the look.

I trace the trackage on a thin piece of wood (1/8" "luan" plywood works for me) for support and then put some thin, self-adhesive automotive sound deadening material over it and screw the track to it.

I've used the MTH elevated trestle set (better than the Lionel, IMHO) or I build my own supports.

@TMack posted:

I floated it on my trestles.  Does not look that great, but did it anyway. and on my elevated trolley line I used Atlas.

What did you use for supports and girders on the trolley line?  Looks great!

I used Masonite to make my supports.  The sided where drywall shims with an inkjet printed girder graphic.

I used the MTH trestle for Lionel Fastrack. It has the Fastrack connectors on the tops of the trestles.

Hi Sean.  The moldings are attached to each other with coffee stirrers.  The fastrack just sits in place.  Then the moldings and track just sit on the trestles, at least for now.  Things could be screwed down or glued if need be.  The moldings “connected” nicely to my bridge too.

@TrainWatcher posted:

The look of the Fastrack with ballast floating in air does NOT look realistic at ALL.

I'm actually surprised that Lionel has dropped the ball and not manufactured various FasTrack sections with different bases over the last 20 years...(the lighted stuff doesn't count for layout builders). This is a ripe opportunity for marketing to jump on - tracks for grades, El lines, different geographic areas including vegetation and/or seasons, and other than "class 1" appearing tracks.  Just imagine the immediate sales when something is released that looks good on grades and trestles and everybody scrambles to tear up the ballasted track for the new stuff.

@ScottF posted:

Hi Sean.  The moldings are attached to each other with coffee stirrers.  The fastrack just sits in place.  Then the moldings and track just sit on the trestles, at least for now.  Things could be screwed down or glued if need be.  The moldings “connected” nicely to my bridge too.

Scott - thanks, I like your idea and I think that I need borrow that concept.