Gargraves/Fast Track Interface

@lehighline posted:

Has anyone joined GG and FT? My layout is GG with GG and Ross Custom switches. I have a few accessories that are mounted on Lionel Fast Track. Disassembly and moving the pieces to GG is not really  an option. What works best to join the 2 track types?

Chris

LVHR

https://ogrforum.com/...-to-lionel-fasttrack

The GG parts (pins) referenced in the thread above are listed for regular O gauge or for O-27. Nothing mentioned about Fast Track. Do these pins work?

Chris

LVHR

Chris-

Unfortunately there is no direct GarGraves to FasTrack adapter. In order to make the transition you will need to use the Lionel 6-12040 FasTrack transition piece in conjunction with the GarGraves #801 mating pins. Simply replace the three tubular pins that come with the transition piece with the three #801 mating pins to make the connection.

-John

If you don't mind hacking the Fastrack, you can use the GG/Tubular pins in the ends of the Fastrack, just crimp the Fastrack rails a bit to fit them.

I have many matings of the two tracks, with out using the adapter track. I cut the Fastrack and true it square on a belt sander. I visited Gargraves in December to get some track and the owner told me they had lost the supplier that makes the adapter pins. I still had a few, so I was able to do my project. The Gargraves track needs a 3/16" base to match evenly with height, which their cork roadbed does nicely. I haven't heard  if they have a new supplier for the pins. I'll put up a couple pictures shortly.

I hadn't heard they no longer made the pins, that's a bummer.

First, thanks for the replies and help!

Fortunately I have a bunch of the O gauge pins and a grinder. The other option may be to pull the Fast Track pins and grind them to the GG profile. I'll try it both ways. No matter what I do, there's going to be some bump as the train goes over the transition.  The trick is to minimize it. Time to fire up the grinder.

Thanks for the tip about the cork roadbed. That makes life easier.

Chris

LVHR

I do have 6 pins left without any immediate plans for them, if that interests you.

John,

I'll be happy to take you up on the offer.  Email in my profile.

Chris

LVHR

I have mated GG track with Fastrak in 6 places on my layout. I never use pins.

Cut the Fastrak square-remove GG pins-level and align.Install feeders on both sides of the transition-done. Nick

Its all about the feeders Rockstars1989.  Im a lil late to this chat but question: how do I wire a Lionel plug and play to GG tracks?  Must I use the FT activation track and mate it to GG?

Choo Choo Johnny-

It would be easier to use the female pigtail adapter (Part #6-82038); connect the plug end to the accessory, the red wire to the center rail and the black wire to one of the outer rails. The wire can be directly soldered to the rail, or you can crimp a 0.187" male spade connector on the wire and then wedge it under the rail.

Gargraves sells the #930B pigtail feeders which consist of a track pin with a soldered wire; simply replace the track pins with the feeders and splice the wires to the Lionel pigtail cable. Gargraves also offers solderless track connectors that function the same way as traditional lockons do; wedge the clip under the rail, then connect one of the Lionel Pigtail harness to the clip.

Hope this helps!

-John

Absolutely Sir, thank you for keeping me on track. 👀 see what I did there? 🕺

@rockstars1989 posted:

I have mated GG track with Fastrak in 6 places on my layout. I never use pins.

Cut the Fastrak square-remove GG pins-level and align.Install feeders on both sides of the transition-done. Nick

Good point, after all, all the whisker tracks on my turntable don't have any pins and they made just fine with the TT bridge, hardly a bump of any kind.