Lionel FasTrack Modular Layout news from the LCCA Convention...

Dorcie, Thanks for sharing this. Also the email you sent earlier today sure has a lot to look at. Thanks

The Lionel ones pictured are 30" Deep x 45" Long

Cool idea, I just wonder how they will fit into current modular layouts. I know out local club uses Gargraves, and while I think the FasTrack will be far more durable, I do not think many clubs will redo their layouts soon. Would have to be some sort of transition piece that accounts for both the different type of track and the different height

doesnt it take out the fun of building your own?

I think something like this would be great for a boy scout troop project. It looks like pretty much everything you need in one box.

I was hoping they'd announce the Timken!!

Meh.

Good idea!

John

Liam,  No, people can  make their own modules completely from scratch or buy fully assembled modules and anywhere in between.  Think of it as just a small layout.  You can landscape and detail any way you want.  I hope this answers your question.

Al K. 

Here is a cut and paste from an email I received from Roger...

All of the specifications will be posted soon on both the LCCA and Lionel websites. The goal here is to encourage as many model train enthusiasts as possible to get into the hobby, demonstrating their skills with even a single module. Do it yourself, build a kit or have TrainWorx build a module for you, then decorate it in any way that you desire, with any theme you chose. Then bring it to one of the future events planned by the LCCA / Lionel to create HUGE modular layouts that easily fit together utilizing the standards created for these modules. They are light weight, in a size that should fit in just about any automobile, yet give you the opportunity to run the biggest Lionel engines made on O-72 & O-80 FasTrack ! Great way to get into module railroading using a track system you enjoy already with a group of train buddies too!

There will be lots more to follow soon...

Happy Tracks!

Traindame aka Dorcie 

www.blog.traindame.com 

OR... Use this as a flexible new way to build (and easily change) your home layout.

We won't be finishing our basement for a few years, but I didn't want to wait until then to build a layout. I may take down what we have and go this route. That way when it comes time to finish the basement I can easily dismantle the layout and store it until the construction is finshed. Then it could be easily reassembled.  The only thing I don't like about it is that all of the modules are flat.  I like more vertical scenic opportunities personally.

Yes a great idea to add modular. To,an existing layout or build a separte modular. Modular layouts/ clubs are all over the country.

Now I know how Ralphie felt when he decoded the message and it said "Drink Ovaltine".

"Jonnyspeed" brought up a good point about the portability of the TrainWorx basic design. But, another positive point of a hobbyist going this route is the resale vale of a layout that fits a national standard. A person could sell their platform in a larger market place then finding that someone who falls in love with your one of a kind design.

Packing and moving would be much simpler as well.

I'm not going to be ripping out my seventeen year endeavor of love any time soon, but I do plan on building a couple of these TW modules just so I can join in the fun when the club is nearby and I can get off from work.

But, that said for someone just starting out I would advise this to be a very smart way to go.

Lionel could offer an accessory package with a barn, grain elevator, quonset hut, and the appropriate figures for farming.

Andrew

Good luck to the LCCA and Lionel in their endeavor to create a new standard for layout modules.

That written, there has been a  standard for modular "O" gauge layouts for years.

In the 1980's Tinplate Tracker modules were brought in from a wide area and assembled into one large layout at the TTOS convention in Rochester NY.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mcjackson/TTManual.htm

I'm wondering how compatible they will be with other existing modular groups.  The Glancy group is big in this area and I'm wondering about how they would fit together. I can't wait for the details.

Glancy also uses FasTrack for their modules.

On another thread we saw the bottom of the modules.  It looks like shorter legs could be interchanged with longer ones.  The Glancy layout looks lower to the floor.  With a short transition piece for track spacing and different length of legs these would work well with the Glancy layout.  It would be an issue to make the Glancy layout higher to match the  height of the legs in this standard.

Dan

The LCCA did look at the Glancy Layout prior to deciding on the module standards they are rolling out.

I don't have measurements off hand, forum member SPIKE might.  The LCCA modules are altogether different though. Glancy has a triple track main.

Discussion in this thread should probably center on what the LCCA has decided to implement.  Getting more hobbyists involved in modular railroading is a worthwhile effort.

Al, thank you for the recap of the LCCA Convention - totally bummed I wasn't there but thrilled it went well!! Roger and George are driving back today. Looking forward to having them back in town - - we be jamming  

"All of the specifications will be posted soon on both the LCCA and Lionel websites"

Seems to me that if they already have some sample modules on display, that the standards are determined by now...so what's the hold up?

I was thinking of making a set of modules for our club to allow us to do off-site visits (around the holidays, schools, shows, etc) and I had determined that the perfect size for fastrack was 30".

Having the new "Standards" would certainly be useful NOW!

I plan on 30 x 30 corner modules and 30 x 60 modules between them.  I'm very interested in how they are getting O72 and O80 curves an a manageable (ie. easily fit in a car) corner module. I have been planning on O42 and O36 curves.

My design uses 5" Fastrack track sections to link modules together... still thinking about how to "squish" the 5" sections in once the modules are connected!

Here's a look at my current design:

Ed

This would allow for layouts from 5' x 5' (four corners) to 10' x 10' or 5' x 15'

I starting thinking about this after the article in OGR about Jim and Don's club's new downsized modular design... It's got me thinking about a center divider too!

Ed,

We in the LCCA are an all volunteer organization.  Most of us have other jobs that provide us with financial means to support our train  hobby.  When we publish the standards we want to make sure they are accurate and complete.  We still  need to finalize one small underside table detail.  Once we get our people back home from this great convention,we will start to work on the publishing of the standards.  If you have more questions you a can call me at 248 709-4137.  If it helps you, we can get you in touch with a LCCA/Lionel Fastrsck Modular layout committee member.  They will know more specifics than I do.  Thank you for your interest.

Al Kolis

Thanks for the quick reply, Al!

I understand the volunteer situation, and greatly appreciate the amount of effort that's gone into the project so far!  I thought the TW people and Lionel would have the info ready.

I was hoping to get a few simple specs, like the locations of the center rails from the front edge of the modules, and a picture or two of the corner modules - they look like they were on display in the pictures, but hard to tell how they work.

Patiently awaiting more info,

Ed

Ed,

Thank you for your patience and  understanding.  It was quite an amazing feat for TW Design crew  to get the modular layout built in time for the convention.  The timeline was extremly compressed.  TW design did a great job in getting the job done in time for our members to enjoy in Norfolk.  The TW Design team still have not returned to their homes yet.  They are still on the road.  Once we all return, we will work on getting the standards published.  If you need to talk more, please call me at 248 709-4137

Thanks again for your interest.

Al K. 

I am anxiously awaiting the "standards" as well.

Al,

Can there be put together an info packet that a LHS can display and hand out?

At this point it's wishful thinking, but I would love Lionel's American Flyer Fastrak line to mature enough to have several radii of curves and have a set of S Gauge standards for a modular layout.

I'm very interested in how they are getting O72 and O80 curves an a manageable (ie. easily fit in a car) corner module.

Looks like they did it by only turning 45deg per module, i.e. two of them per corner.

  --Joe

Tim.

That's up to Lionel and the individual Lionel dealers.  I personally would like to see a modular section in every LHS accross the country.

Al K. 

This looks good. There was some interest on this side of the pond on building a modular layout within the Lionel Collectors Club UK. As scenic 3 rail O gauge layouts are not often displayed at shows due to their size. 

 The idea of one module per individual makes it very much easier to transport.

Nick