FasTrack vs Atlas O Tracks

Atlas-o is the quietest track and one of the best looking. The only issue is the switch wiring, you MUST feed all 3 ends of the switch with power and ground directly, not through the track joiners, and run the switch motors with good momentary switches, capacitive discharge, or TMMC, not the cheap controls atlas makes. I went Atlas as I do not like the look of fastrack. You could also use atlas track and Ross switches, a very nice combo.

my 28x50 layout is 100% atlas o.......no regrets......trains run  super smooth-jim

I like the look of the Atlas tracks. The one concern I do have is that I might go the Lionel Legacy Command Center and I was not sure if there was issues that it did not work well with Atlas Tracks.

 

As for switches, I'm pretty sure I will have a few, but not much. Never know...

Legacy will work fantastic with Atlas-o, and is one of the best ways to control the switches, that and power applied to all three ends of the switch and you will have no problems..

The answer on which is best for you is that it depends on what you are trying to do and what your preferences are when it comes to what the track looks like.  That will be the bottom line not matter what anyone else says they like or don't like.

 

In my case, I had a pretty fair amount of FasTrack to start with from expanding my starter set loop.  I like the track, so I have been buying more.  My layout is semi-temporary.  I want to be able to change track plans on the fly until I get settled on something I want to make permanent.  I also like the "Lego" approach.  Buy a bunch of bricks and experiment with building different configurations that I like.  I also like to be able to build on the table or on the floor.  FasTrack has behaved well on both the carpet in my basement (more thin) and in my living room (thicker pile).  It has worked for me.

 

Would I change to Atlas-O for a permanent layout?  The jury is still out.

 

I'd write down the factors that are important to you such as cost, noise, looks, and whatever other criteria you want.  Then evaluate and decide which way you want to go before spending too much on either.  Good luck!

One thing i was looking for issue with each. People love FasTrack. I have forgot one thing.part of the track might go on some carpet. FasTrack helps with that. I also heard switches were great for FasTrack

For carpet fastrack is the way to go.

I think it depends on the kind, and size of layout.  A simple loop?  4x8 plywood with trestles & elevated tracks?  Wide 072 radius curves?  A switching yard?  

I like the Atlas track I've been using on a 6x13 holiday layout with 036 and larger curves but the switches (manual) haven't been so reliable with derailments in some directions.  I like Gargraves track and Ross switches for larger layouts.

Tell us more about your vision.

My goal was this...each year, I want to set up a Christmas tree with the train going around it. I bought a starting set and found the train sort of loud when it was going around it. (I heard a few people complain about FasTrack being noisy)

Each Christmas, I wanted to expand the tracks with a set budget. (IE add 10 more tracks.) 5 years later...the tracks would go into the kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, etc. Most of the house is hardwood floors. We do have a rug in the living room, but it is not really deep carpet.

With each year, I would buy more accessories...like the Lionel Legacy Command Center, some scenery, some tracks, etc. Since I plan on getting rid of the original train set, I plan on starting all with great stuff.(like to have a transformer that could handle the expansion) I would hate to buy a whole bunch of one track and realize it had issues. I saw that FasTrack seems to have everything working great on the Legacy, but I really did not like how loud the trains ran on it and I thought the Atlas tracks look more realistic. I figure the FasTrack was a bit plastic and causing it to be loud.

So with that information, I heard some people said that MTH tracks were not as good as Lionel. As always, everyone's opinion will be different. I have seen a few posts saying that Atlas switches had some issues. Not sure if they were resolved or not. (Would hate to shake my hands every time my train derails)

I will be posting another question down the road about transformers. Heck, I'm still learning on how the Legacy Command Center is hooked up. I will be going to a few shows this year to learn a lot.

Oh...and I like one command place to run the tracks. Not in the mood to walk over to the track to make a switch. Like to have it all on one command. Lionel Legacy Command seems to be the leader in this. 

 

Found this video pretty good

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y31p1AiPaWA

Ok, I'll expose my ignorance in hope of gaining knowledge.  When you say, "feed all 3 ends of the switch with power and ground directly", does that just mean I would need to feed power to the divergent side and both straight through sides of the switch?  Or is there something else?  I'm also assuming Ross switches do not have this problem, correct?

Thanks,

Ron 

You got it, feed all 3 center rails and all 3 commons. Atlas does do this underneath the switch with wire, but it is small and large current draw or shorts can burn it out. The way I see it you need to feed the track somewhere so start at the switch, no problems. I think you can buy Ross wired or not wired, and I believe the wired ross have sturdy connections.

Thanks, 400E.  I have almost all Fastrack now, but am becoming convinced that Atlas O would be a better choice for a permanent layout... once I get it started.

Ron

Fastrack sure makes the wiring easy, fastrack command switches are bulletproof. I looked on the Ross site and rossready switches are prewired. I just start my track feed wires at the switch so it is never an issue.

pr51713,

   I like both the FasTrack and the Atlas O, I chose FasTrack because my Tin Plate

trains would not repetatively run thru the Atlas O switches.  I run the old Lionel

711 & 072 switches with my FasTrack and it repetatively accommodates all my different trains without any problems, what so ever.   The DCS works just great with FasTrack and Tin Plate so I can run Conventional, DCS & TMCC/Legacy on it.

The draw back to FasTrack is the 031 track does not fit inside the 036 track and you need to put some light indoor/outdoor carpet down to absorb the noise, if you want to run a layout in the living room at Christmas time and still hear your Christmas music.  Good luck with your choice, both are real good track.

PCRR/Dave

 

I like your set up. I like Atlas O tracks but the Fastracks seem easier and more dependable. Ill need more input on the Ross switches

I built my layout with 100% Atlas O due to it's realistic appearance and use of solid-rail. I have been satisfied with its performance including the switches. I control all 14 switches (with power fed to all 3 points) with the Lionel SC-2 which is in-turn controlled from one spot - my Legacy CAB-2 controller. I am happy (so far) that I went this route. I do own a few pieces of Lionel FasTrack and I understand your concern with the noise generated by the hollow cavity of the track roadbed. I also do not like the profile of the rail (essentially a hollow "U" shape) when compared to Atlas O . However, in your application as a layout on the floor I too would go with FasTrack. I think this track is better suited for floor operations in its ease to set up and tear down. And, it's integrated roadbed, albeit helping to generate unwanted noise, lends itself to this application a bit better.

 

Good luck and welcome to the hobby...the best one out there.   -Len

pr51713,

   If you like Atlas track which I do, Atlas also has their newer White Cloud track, and it is real nice high quality track, very similar to FasTrack, they are way behind in production due to the movement of their facility however.  This track can be found however in some of the Atlas Train sets, and this track is compatible with FasTrack and many others also.  I have not been able to get my hands on any of the switches for it yet.  Don't know if they are in production or not.  If they are available, I want to test them, especially with my Tin Plate Trains.

PCRR/Dave

Atlas track is very nice, however I can't say the same about their switches.  And, their switch machines are even worse!

Some discussion of Atlas switches here:

https://ogrforum.com/d...035#4245430034507035

I have Atlas track and switches. I have no problem with them but I wired my own power jumpers and the switch machines  are stored in a cabinet. I replaced them all with DZ-2500s. They have been flawless for 2 years. Most of mine were bought used also.

Ron

Thanks for the input guys. I too am new to the hobby. My son has his second lionel starter set the bluebird along with his previous ny central. We also added the fig 8 and 2 man and 2 remote switches. So needless to say he's way ahead. After all the research and looking into things I am becoming hooked on attempting my own set. I really like the atlas track and dcs combo. My wife has even mentioned giving up a room for it. The room is about 10x11 and so its fairly small for a layout. I have been toying in railmodler to experiment with some layouts. Things that interest me would be a 9.5x7 layout with a train yard, two separate loops to run two trains, possible engine area siding and an incline with tunnel. All of this is hypothetical at this point. I have a layout in mind and will try to post. So a lot of the stuff you are talking about pertains to my area. I really feel I need to keep my hobby stuff separate from my sons despite my limited budget.