Lionel Fastrack

I used about 250 feet of Fastrack, and Fastrack switches, and the only issues I experienced were the connections (solved by tweaking the connectors everywhere there were voltage drops).  I had I think ONE switch of 15 which I had to send back as it would not work (I later found on this Forum that some of the auxiliary power wires were reversed- easy fix).   I used a foam roadbed for noise reduction - helped a lot on my flat-top table.

Most recently for a yard, I installed Ross switches and track (and some Gargraves flex track) which I like for appearance reasons.   I think I will like the Ross switches, a lot.  These  have different annoyances- mainly that the outside rails are not connected to one another, and you need ground jumpers more frequently than on Flextrack. 

Oxidation- I clean the track using denatured alcohol, which works great.  For stubborn spots I use a track eraser- but am trying to not use it excessively since it removes plating.  I tried transmission fluid- seems to just get gummy.  Overall I think that some oxidation is just discoloring and doesn't affect anything- but I could be wrong.

@Tman129 posted:

... after several hours of operation of a Lionelchief Plus engine (requires 18VAC from my ZW) I noticed significant carbon buildup on the center rails...

It's probably oil from smoke fluid and dust from the environment.

I use 91% isopropyl alcohol to clean  my Fastrack and do not notice any excessive build-up on my center rail.

You might also try cleaning the pick-up rollers on the engine. Dirty rollers will make recently cleaned track look dirty very quickly. 

You can also reduce the voltage a little and see if that helps.

For inaccessible areas of your layout, you can use a track cleaning car (or make your own) - there are several out there and multiple threads on this Forum about their capabilities.

I have fastrack exclusively on my home layout and use goo-gone on my track cleaning car front pad, which cleans the track quickly and lasts 4-5 days.

My train club had Atlas track, while this is great track, it seems to get dirty much faster than my fastrack at home. It also does not let Magnetraction work. The noise is similar if you don't use noise dampening roadbed under it. 

WOW, I have a hard time believing that the noise is similar with Fastrack and Atlas track, that certainly isn't my experience!

John, 

with the difference in cost and my hearing it was a no brainer. I have 27 switches and over 400 feet of track. 

I have limited hearing so to me, the noise level is not that different. The fastrack is hollow vs solid atlas, but my trains on both tracks are not much different in wheel noise, the fastrack does sound metallic but not enough difference for me. 

I agree with those above. you may have excessive lube or smoke fluid getting on the track. Outside of that, the main reason for dirty track is:

"The number-one producer of rail & wheel crud is the electrolysis effect of passing current through dissimilar metals. Where our current-drawing locomotive wheels (of one metal) meet the rails (of another metal), a very fine powdery oxide is formed."   Dick Webster- Centerline Products http://www.rjftrains.com/sales...rline/dirtytrack.htm

Thanks everyone for the response. Was thinking of using Atlas O, for looks, with transitions to Fastrack switches. You gave me some things to consider. 

GRJ - Could you please elaborate on your experience?  Thanks.

Rick O - thanks, I understand the mechanics of the dirty rails but didn't know if anyone has ever tried "NO-OX-ID A Special", as explained by David L. Farquhar:       https://dfarq.homeip.net/how-t...eaning-lionel-track/

I may need to try this on my test 40x60 loop, just for the heck of it, it cheap enough.

I have used NO OX on my HO modules.  It does seem to alleviate some of the issue.  I also use graphite.  I have never had to use either on O or S track.

Brendan 

@PH1975 posted:

GRJ - Could you please elaborate on your experience?  Thanks.

We use Atlas track on our club and modular layout, we're using cork roadbed.  I've used Fastrack with several different sound deadening materials under it, and still the sound difference was very significant.  Atlas track with Midwest Cork Roadbed directly on the plywood base is far quieter than I've ever been able to make Fastrack. 

@RickO posted:

I agree with those above. you may have excessive lube or smoke fluid getting on the track. Outside of that, the main reason for dirty track is:

"The number-one producer of rail & wheel crud is the electrolysis effect of passing current through dissimilar metals. Where our current-drawing locomotive wheels (of one metal) meet the rails (of another metal), a very fine powdery oxide is formed."   Dick Webster- Centerline Products http://www.rjftrains.com/sales...rline/dirtytrack.htm

Thanks very much for this incisive post, Rick. I've never heard of or seen this in print before. It applies to me because at various points, I have FasTrack, O tubular and K-line tubular, so I'll be on the lookout for buildup problems where they connect!