Lionel Area 51 Railroad Set with Lighted Track Arrives

Part 2

The Area 51 Railroad Set comes with a loop of the brand new lighted FasTrak. This track is clear-whiteish and for this set uses green lights. The set includes 8 curves and 4 straights. Note that 2 of the straights are the power connection track piece and a plug port piece for accessories.

The track went together easily and fits together with a satisfying click similar to traditional FasTrak.

So, here we go. My permanent layout and Christmas layout are in use so I ran this new set on some appropriated living room space on a carpet central.

Idling with the eerie bell sounds.

Overview of the loop displaying green LEDs.

Floor level view.

So far, so good. Pleased with this set and eventually will get it in layout form and add some other space items. Think the Menards flying saucer accessory and some Lionel space and rocket offerings.

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

Very nice, thanks for sharing and enjoy it!

Very nice, thanks for the photos and videos. It looks better in your video than it did in the catalog. I may consider getting one because it’s so fun.

Thank you much for sharing those videos!  When my wife says "That's cool, I like that.", you know you have a winner.   Looks like the Halloween layout for next year will be due for a significant addition!

I received my set last week and it is cool.  Wonder when we can get extra track?

That’s a cool train set Johntrains, that should add some light under the Christmas tree if that’s where you planned to set it up. Very unique design. Is extra track available? Thank you for presenting it here on the forum. It’s very nice. Merry Christmas

Laz & Larry,

That's the $64,000 question. I wondered the same thing. Haven't seen anything about Lionel offering additional green track but I hope they do.  I'd like to be able to expand beyond what came in the set.

Honestly that track wouldn't look too bad around the tree.

Yes, this really is quite adaptable--general play value is great, Halloween, and I completely agree it would look great at Christmas--I just bought 3 MTH Christmas freight cars and the many multi-colored LEDs would look fabulous running above the green track.  Someone please try it and post a video!

After I read the thread, I ordered the set last night.

Thank you.

Jerry

Another thing I was thinking about this morning on the availability of additional green lighted Fastrak is set breaks ups. Wouldn't be surprised if we some sellers selling off pieces of the set separately. But, the best solution is for Lionel to offer add-on packs of the track. Hint, hint.  

Can it be mixed with standard fastrack? It would also look cool to have a section here and there around the layout to light up when the train passes.

@Dan Kenny posted:

Can it be mixed with standard fastrack? It would also look cool to have a section here and there around the layout to light up when the train passes.

Dan,

Sure could. I may actually do that when I get this off the floor and do a modest sized space-themed layout. Still hoping Lionel will issue additional green lighted track but a mix with standard FasTrak works, too.

Just looked on line and Lionel does sell the 40x60 loops and 4 packs but appears to be only the multi color.

@Dan Kenny posted:

Just looked on line and Lionel does sell the 40x60 loops and 4 packs but appears to be only the multi color.

Correct. I checked, too. No green, just the multi colors.

Thanks John.  I have my set waiting to be set up. Thanks particularly for the extensive preview. I think we'll be seeing rolling stock and accessory add-ons, extra track for sale and variations of this set for years to come. At least I hope so.  Neat concept and nice execution.  Toy train whimsy at its best .

@johnstrains posted:

Part 2

The Area 51 Railroad Set comes with a loop of the brand new lighted FasTrak. This track is clear-whiteish and for this set uses green lights. The set includes 8 curves and 4 straights. Note that 2 of the straights are the power connection track piece and a plug port piece for accessories.

The track went together easily and fits together with a satisfying click similar to traditional FasTrak.

So, here we go. My permanent layout and Christmas layout are in use so I ran this new set on some appropriated living room space on a carpet central.

Idling with the eerie bell sounds.

Overview of the loop displaying green LEDs.

Floor level view.

So far, so good. Pleased with this set and eventually will get it in layout form and add some other space items. Think the Menards flying saucer accessory and some Lionel space and rocket offerings.

This might go nicely with MTH NASA set

Does the ET44 diesel locomotive have smoke?

No smoke

This set is cool! Does the well car have an operating EOT light? I can’t tell if it’s blinking on the video. Thanks for posting this, but you sir may have cost me some money! LOL!!!

@NYC Z-MAN posted:

This set is cool! Does the well car have an operating EOT light? I can’t tell if it’s blinking on the video. Thanks for posting this, but you sir may have cost me some money! LOL!!!

No operating EOT but overall a great set, I picked up extra track from a set break up. The new 2021 catalog may have "Area 51" items to select from, hopefully so. Personally, I would like an "Area 51" LC+ 2.0 diesel, or even a Legacy version with an alien sound package.

Happy New Year!

@das boot posted:

No operating EOT but overall a great set, I picked up extra track from a set break up. The new 2021 catalog may have "Area 51" items to select from, hopefully so. Personally, I would like an "Area 51" LC+ 2.0 diesel, or even a Legacy version with an alien sound package.

Happy New Year!

Right...EOT is just decorative.

Glad you found extra track. I need to do that!

Ordered the set and extra car last night from Charles Ro. Should be here Saturday! I’ve got a radar car from many years ago with a light green body. Should look good with the set as well. The track is for our Halloween layout. The train will get run mostly at train shows whenever they start again! Thanks!

@NYC Z-MAN posted:

Ordered the set and extra car last night from Charles Ro. Should be here Saturday! I’ve got a radar car from many years ago with a light green body. Should look good with the set as well. The track is for our Halloween layout. The train will get run mostly at train shows whenever they start again! Thanks!

Nice! Glad we "sold" you Jim. Post some pics of your new set when you're up and running.

I liked your new layout with the lighted track. Thank you for sharing. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

Thanks, John.  That set is truly awesome.  Love all the pics, and the video.  As noted above, given the green lights, that track might look great on a Christmas layout.  I also loved how the locomotive appeared to be activating the track as the train moved forward. -- quite the cool effect with all of the other colors and sounds on the train itself.

Now, dating myself, I'm reminded of a great summation of his experience when a co-worker took his two young children to Chuck-E-Cheese's for the first time.  He said:

       "It was an assault on the senses"

And, that, of course was meant to be a high compliment, since he, his wife, and their two children totally enjoyed the experience.  Naturally, I took my wife and our young family within a week's time!

So, now to check for the Area 51 set availability...

....still available, including at Charles Ro.

This is the neatest and cool-ist set ever, but I'm way too straight so I'll never buy it.

What if someone on the forum could mix the green with a multi color every other track!!! would look like warp time speed!!!

Challenge to our o gauge members!...Bet it rocks!!!!!

Here is my diorama of the WAR OF THE WORLDS 1953 version, from Whistle Stop Wednesday Videos.