How many have Lionel Fastrack?

Our 12x15 modular display layout uses FasTrack......

Here it is set up at the 2021 Annual Science Museum of Virginia train show last November.

Peter

Me, too!!

Same here!

My main layout uses Fastrack. A little loud, but I have been otherwise very happy.

For floor layouts or around the tree, the best product around in my experience.

I just have it for my Christmas layout.  I wouldn't be opposed to using for my future layout.

It's not as inexpensive as I thought.  Even used demands a decent price.

I use it at home and we have begun working Fastrack switches into the layout at the local club. The Fastrack switch integration with LCS, especially the switch monitoring is what really works well for me.

I have been using Lionel Fastrack going on 11 years now with no problems.

Very easy to use and to reuse if you are like me and rebuild your layout every other year or so. I highly recommend it.

I use it for my Christmas layout, and am glad I have first generation product from the Polar Express set and others.  Subsequent product has QC issues, minor but annoying.

Me too. I like it other than being a little noisy.

Me three !!

My newest (2009) layout uses Fastrack. It was better back then, not sure if I would do it again with current product.

I used to use it on the D. C. Central until I went to Atlas O-72.

I plan on keeping most of it (especially the forty-inch straights) for sidings on my future two-rail setup as it is quite easy to convert.

I'm using it on the Happy Valley RR, with 084 and 096 curves, 060 turnouts, and an old-school ZW-275 transformer. Works great. I plan to integrate the scenery with the "roadbed" and will weather the rails. One visual bonus is the close spacing of the ties.

I use it currently but once I decide to make a more permanent setup I'll be moving to Atlas.

I use Fastrack. I have had few pins break, but other than that, very happy - keep the rails clean.

We use it for our Christmas tree track as it is easy to put together and can be done quite a few times without damage.  Had to pinch the rails at the track pins a few times because of wear and reduced contact. The lighted Christmas track is a really neat!!

Tried it on a portable layout and it didn't fair so well, the only storage space available for it is in storage unit that didn't have any environmental control and it rusted up pretty good. This layout was converted to Realtrax because we had a bunch of it laying around and it handles humidity and temperature swings much better while in storage.

Overall Fastrack works good, it has it's quirks and limitations but so does every other system out there.

Not any more. I got rid of it after "upgrading" to Gargraves; sold it all on eBay for more than I paid...🤔 🙂

Mark in Oregon

I use it on my layout.

@H1000 posted:

We use it for our Christmas tree track as it is easy to put together and can be done quite a few times without damage.  Had to pinch the rails at the track pins a few times because of wear and reduced contact. The lighted Christmas track is a really neat!!

Tried it on a portable layout and it didn't fair so well, the only storage space available for it is in storage unit that didn't have any environmental control and it rusted up pretty good. This layout was converted to Realtrax because we had a bunch of it laying around and it handles humidity and temperature swings much better while in storage.

Overall Fastrack works good, it has it's quirks and limitations but so does every other system out there.

Wow! I've never seen Fastrack, or any track, rust like that before. You must live in the Amazon rain forest. 😉

Well I have it, a lot of it that use for setting up on the floor, but not impressed with it at all. Noise isn't an issue, conductivity is. Whenever I set it up I have multiple dead spots through the layout. I have to go through the track with an ohm meter and ring it out. Some pieces I just have to replace because I can't get conductivity through them, that boggles my mind, metal touching metal and no conductivity. I have read countless threads on here and watched countless video's on track pins, squeezing, all the usual suspects. I've cleaned all the pins with contact cleaner, inspected them for irregularities and none to be found. Yes I did buy it second hand from someone off this forum, but that's not his fault and I don't hold it against him either. It's simple metal track. It really should be that easy to set up, but that isn't in my case.  I just got through trying to set it up outside, I had multiple connections where the train would either stop or slow down immensely. I'm running a 180w Powerhouse on approximately 10feet of track with 072 curves. I finally gave up and laid down tinplate and within 20 minutes I was up and running. I really want to like FT but it's more trouble than it's worth, but I'll keep trying though, there has to be a simple solution that I'm obviously missing.

I have some but have never used it.  The tubular track is much easier for my grandson to assemble and disassemble.   No connectivity problems going on 25 years on the layout.   YMMV.

"there has to be a simple solution that I'm obviously missing."

You've found the answer. Replace the sections that do not conduct electricity well or mate well with other sections. The track causing your problems is either worn out or damaged in some way.  This is not typical experience with Fastrack.  It's been sold in millions of sets and people are not having consistent problems of this sort.  Even the most well designed track can wear out or be treated in a way so that it becomes non-functional.

just bought an 072 loop of it for the floor. for a test layout for my acela. no issues at all works great.

I also use it on my regular layout with no issues. its is very noisey though. switches work great.

I use a tiny bit of Fastrack on the floor under the train table to accommodate a Lionel LCS Sensor Track on an 8 foot long straight section. The purpose is to run a new Lionel engine over the sensor to automatically load all the correct engine setup and button layout information into my Cab2. It gives me confidence that the engine is properly configured. I just need to do this once for each new Lionel product. 

I used Fastrack for 3 years and had conection problems and engine contact problems. Two year ago I switched to Altas O track, it was the best move I made, and all the problems when away. And my engines and rolling stock run every smooth on Atlas.

Except for a few pieces of tubular through a bridge, my entire layout is Fastrack.  I painted the sides of the rails and painted the targets of the Ramapo lanterns.  Yes, it is, probably, a little more noisy than others but I like the look and the command switches.

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@Putnam Division posted:

Our 12x15 modular display layout uses FasTrack......

Here it is set up at the 2021 Annual Science Museum of Virginia train show last November.

Peter

Just wanted to say God bless you and your club for bringing the modular layout to various shows during the year. You can readily see in the photo above what joy it brings to people, especially the kids. It takes effort and commitment, but more than that a desire to serve others to do this. Commendable in today's world.

Oh, and to keep this on topic, God bless FasTrack, too!

I have no issues with my Fastrack layout. I did wire my track so my Legacy locos run better. I'm still planning on using Fastrack on my future layout. The noise is not bad if you add some foam or carpet underneath the roadbed. I use a thin sheet of foam that comes in a roll and works very well to reduce the sound; plus it's only $10 for a 50-foot long roll, and it is not very noticeable under the track.

@Mooner posted:

1. It takes effort and commitment, but more than that a desire to serve others to do this. Commendable in today's world.

2.  Oh, and to keep this on topic, God bless FasTrack, too!

1. Absolutely. 👍

2. Hmm...not so sure about that. 😐

Mark in Oregon

Yes!!

Putting a something softer between fastrack and the benchwork is a must. I used 1/2" pink foam. While not a sound deadoner, the reduction in noise was substantial.

Thicker foam and ideally homasote would work even better. Additionally, as layers of scenery are added it gets even quieter.

@Landsteiner posted:

"there has to be a simple solution that I'm obviously missing."

You've found the answer. Replace the sections that do not conduct electricity well or mate well with other sections. The track causing your problems is either worn out or damaged in some way.  This is not typical experience with Fastrack.  It's been sold in millions of sets and people are not having consistent problems of this sort.  Even the most well designed track can wear out or be treated in a way so that it becomes non-functional

In all fairness to conrailfan who you quoted. There has been discussion on this forum before regarding  a
cheapening of fastrack in the last several years. The plastic roadbed is flimsier and there are numerous complaints of oxidizing and breaking track pins, possibly due to lower quality metal.

A 3x5 set that only gets set up on occassion, is less likely to get scrutinized for conductivity.

Having said that. My layout in the videos above has been very reliable. However, IT WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH TRACK SUPPLIED BACK IN 2005.

Having seen photos of the newer designed fastrack compared to the older stuff on my layout. I would be apprehensive about using "todays" fastrack if I was starting over from scratch.

I have been using FasTrack exclusively on my layout for 15 years and am very happy with it.  Also use it on my living room carpet around the Christmas tree where I have put it together and taken it apart for many years now with no problems.

Ron

Been using fastrack with very little issues for almost 25 years since it came out.

Been hauling it in milk crates to shows, setting it up there and taking it down and packed up into milk crates. Do at least 6 to 8 shows a year, some are 1 day and some are 2 day shows. Set it each time on folding tables with grass carpeting.
At times, we get a dead spot and easily fixed with a few pins tightened and/or bent slightly for better connections.
This fastrack has taken a beating over the years and still performs well.

@Ted Bertiger posted:

Been using fastrack with very little issues for almost 25 years since it came out.

Ted, did you mean to say 15 or 20 years? Fastrack came out in 2002 or 2003. Initially with a black center rail for a short while and then switch to silver not long after.

I have some for around the Christmas tree.  I think it was purchased back in 2007-8?  Very well suited for this purpose.

George

I’ve been an early adapter with Fastrack. In fact, my Fastrack layout was the first Fastrack layout to be published in any O gauge magazine!