LIONEL FASTRAK

Yes, Lionel.

 

 

It looked awful, and they discontinued it.

Agree with Rob. Saw it once, it was terrible.  Very glad they went silver

Many have painted the sides of the rails "Rail brown" or "Rust" and also weathered the roadbed which good results.  For me, it's a lot of work, and makes your track unique to your tastes which is fine, since it's your layout.

 

If I were building a permanent layout using Fastrack, then it would make sense to do that if you wanted to.

 

I don't bother with my fastrack because it often gets reconfigured and I frequently add more track over the years for different Christmas layouts.  If most of the track was weathered, the new pieces would also need to be weathered or they would really stand out.

 

I also think the shiny middle rail acts like a mirror and kind of "disappears" at certain angles, versus if it were painted black and drew the eye to it.

 

On Fastrack layouts where the owner painted all the sides of the rails rusty rail brown, it looked really good to me...and I can totally appreciate the amount of work in doing that.

 

Do a search on youtube for "maxstrains" and you can see some Fastrack where Max did this to his Fastrack and it looks fantastic in person.

 

Here is a video Max made how he weathered his Fastrack:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for  the replies.  Are there advantages/disadvantages for using Fastrak on a new layout??    Can the programmable Fastrack section be used with Gargraves/Ross??

Trying to determine which track to use on new layout.

With a bit of sawing they can be used

Fastrack switches come command controlled out of.the box.  Which means you can operate the switch with a Cab1/2 without having to wire the switch if you run it off track power.  Besides that, I'm not a big fan.  I don't mind connecting some skinny wires to get better looks and performance.  It is easy to put together and conducts current very well.  It depends what kind of layout you are putting together.  Like the last guy said, he takes it apart a lot and redoes his configuration.  It is good for that.  Sturdy as a whole.  I'm just not a fan of how a train passes through the switches, very bouncy.  But it works good.  And the switches eliminate a lot of wiring, if you are not into that.

Fastrack is a good track system. So are all the other track systems available today, like Ross, Gargraves, Atlas, Realtrax, Scaletrax, RMT and Tubular O-O27 (did I miss anyone?). Each system has advantages and dis-advantages depending on the look you want, type of layout you want, how you are going to use your layout and many other things. Some offer a much better selection of curves and switches than others. You can make a very nice layout with any of the systems, as many here have done. I would research all the available track systems and then carefully make my choice. You may be living with this track for a long time. If there is something you don't like, that could be a problem.

 

There are also many discussions here on the OGR forum about the different track systems. Search around here and you will also find that everyone has their own personal choices in track systems and sometimes for many different reasons. It really is a personal choice as you are the one that will be using it and will have to live with it after making your selection.

 

One thing I try to always suggest is when you narrow down your selections, go buy a loop of the track you like the best and try it out. If you like it you are set, if you don't like it you can sell it here on the OGR For Sale forum (which is free) and you probably won't be out a great deal of money since it will still be fairly new. 

Maybe its my eyes, but when I see videos of layouts with Fastrack, and the center rail is painted, black, rust or etc. I notice it more and drawn to seeing the 3rd rail. But there are some were just the outside rails are painted rust, or etc., leaving the center rail shiny, and I hardly see it. The way I'm going to go, leaving center rail alone.

I personally have to say that I really like the Fastrak system since I have my layout being set up on the floor. I like how well it stays together.

W&W,

   I build my layouts with FasTrack and have sense Lionel came out with it.  I have a lot of the old 1st generation mid black rail, and I just mix it in with all the rest as I build my layouts.  Personally all it can do is hamper the mid rail pick ups on some engines and rolling stock.  In my case however it has made very little difference, thru out my layouts.  FasTrack is great track, and now with the advent of the Rockwell Portable X2 table saw, you can make your own custom pieces of FasTack at any angle or length you so desire. 

PCRR/Dave

 

I had a layout with Fastrack, but I recently took it apart, sold off all the Fastrack, and bought Gargraves/Ross and am the process of expanding the layout and laying the new track. As some others have said, it's all a matter of opinion and what you want on your layout. I liked the Fastrack, but for me, I wanted something more realistic looking and loved the wood ties on Gargraves and how well made Ross switches are. After a lot of thought and consideration, I decided to make the switch. I personally couldn't be happier. I would recommend Gargraves and Ross over Fastrack, but that is my opinion. In the end, it's what look you want and what will make you happy long-term. 

I agree with you.  Less noticeable with center rail left alone.  It mirrors the ties and ballast on the sides of the rail and looks much better untouched.