I am looking to get some Lionel Lighted FasTrack to add to our regular FasTrack to under the tree. I've seen 2 different lighted color schemes, what is the difference ?
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There is the multi-color lighted track that is released for separate sale and was included in a Christmas train set. I think there was an all-green version supplied only for a UFO-based set, no separate sale as far as I know.
A couple of notes about this lighted track:
#1 it works on insulated rail principles, so it's only basically 1 outer rail is providing power. The other outside rail is then closing the circuit for the LED lights. Just so happens on the curves outside rail is the insulated rail and the inside rail of the curve is the common. This is really bad for typical light starter engines or heaven forbid someone runs an MTH Premier with 2/3 rail trucks. Also, with the outside of the curve being the insulated rail- the weight shift of a fast moving train tends to roll lighter on the inside rail and heavy on the outside rail.
#2 Because it gets asked 100 times, the regulator for the LEDs is a switcher and takes AC or DC and regulates it for the LEDs. Again, this works on AC or DC, fixed or variable voltage.
#3 No, they have not yet made curved terminal tracks in lighted fastrack that I am aware of. That said, they barely made them in normal grey track either (only with cheap sets) so you are going to have to attach wires.
#1 it works on insulated rail principles, so it's only basically 1 outer rail is providing power. The other outside rail is then closing the circuit for the LED lights. Just so happens on the curves outside rail is the insulated rail and the inside rail of the curve is the common. This is really bad for typical light starter engines or heaven forbid someone runs an MTH Premier with 2/3 rail trucks. Also, with the outside of the curve being the insulated rail- the weight shift of a fast moving train tends to roll lighter on the inside rail and heavy on the outside rail.
#2 Because it gets asked 100 times, the regulator for the LEDs is a switcher and takes AC or DC and regulates it for the LEDs. Again, this works on AC or DC, fixed or variable voltage.
#3 No, they have not yet made curved terminal tracks in lighted fastrack that I am aware of. That said, they barely made them in normal grey track either (only with cheap sets) so you are going to have to attach wires.
On my set, while I had the backs open, I soldered the folded track tabs for better connection.
Also, I changed out the LEDs in my track to include brighter colors. I used commonly available at the time "Chinety Colorful LED Fairy Light String 10 Pack Micro 20 LED Battery Operated Silver Wire Lights Mini Waterproof" however that exact brand is no longer available.
VS the original pastel colors
Closeup of my secondary soldered track feed wires as well as the LED switching regulator that is standard in each piece.
FWIW, in original video "preview" images when they first advertised this track, even Lionel demonstrated a color scheme of LEDs that more closely matches my modified set, but also showed the pastel colors. They chose pastel for production.
Again, you see a piece with blue/purple and the other lighted piece with more pastel yellow, red, green.
@Vernon Barry posted:FWIW, in original video "preview" images when they first advertised this track, Lionel demonstrated a color scheme of LEDs that more closely matches my modified set, but also showed the pastel colors. They chose pastel for production.
Vernon, thank you for all of that info. It would look great under the Christmas tree!
@Vernon Barry posted:FWIW, in original video "preview" images when they first advertised this track, even Lionel demonstrated a color scheme of LEDs that more closely matches my modified set, but also showed the pastel colors. They chose pastel for production.
Again, you see a piece with blue/purple and the other lighted piece with more pastel yellow, red, green.
Question: So, if I get say, four straights of the lighted track, can I place them on a straight away in an oval of conventional, transformer-controlled grey Fasttrack?
@RadioRon posted:Question: So, if I get say, four straights of the lighted track, can I place them on a straight away in an oval of conventional, transformer-controlled grey Fasttrack?
yes... as long as the AC voltage is at least ??? and up to presumably 18V.
@Vernon Barry posted:
...#2 ... this works on AC or DC, fixed or variable voltage.
...
Vernon, Thank you for the detailed analysis. In your testing what's the minimum AC voltage required to illuminate lighted FasTrack with conventional transformer control?
Correct on the green version of lighted FasTrak. It was released exclusively with the Lion Chief Area 51 Set. I bought that set and it arrived, as I recall, in December 2020.
It looks great and works well with the Area 51 green and black loco and rolling stock.
Btw, Lionel has never offered the green Fastrak for separate sale (unlike the multi- colored version). I managed to purchase some extra pieces on the secondary market from a seller doing a set break up.
@SteveH posted:yes... as long as the AC voltage is at least ??? and up to presumably 18V.
Vernon, Thank you for the detailed analysis. In your testing what's the minimum AC voltage required to illuminate lighted FasTrack with conventional transformer control?
I tested the tracks with a 9V battery during changing the LEDs. The original power supply for the LEDs was 2 CR2032 in series, so that implies the regulator is around 6V DC. You need some headroom, so about 7-8V AC RMS and they probably work.
For those who might be interested, here's my review of the Area 51 Set and some vids where you can see the green lighted Fastrak in action.
One other small note. For my lighted FasTrak, I ditched the supplied power terminal piece in favor of using standard connectors that slip on to the tabs underneath (more flexibility). Have to first remove the plastic covers to accomplish this.
Thanks for all the information.
Our carpet is fairly soft will it affect the operation on the lighting
No, it's (activation of the lights) not based on weight, however track joints flexing is never ideal. Again, the lighting effect is insulated rail depending on the wheels of the train to carry power from one outer rail to the other. That ALSO means your train is only powered on one side outer rail for much of the track layout.
Say if a starter engine has a traction tire on one side, ideally place that on the insulated rail side. Again, highly likely you might find the train works in one direction better than the other (clockwise or counterclockwise around the loop).
Thanks Barry. Now I get it
@SteveH posted:yes... as long as the AC voltage is at least ??? and up to presumably 18V.
Vernon, Thank you for the detailed analysis. In your testing what's the minimum AC voltage required to illuminate lighted FasTrack with conventional transformer control?
OK, I guess I needn't get any then as, since I don't run 18v LionChief & use regular transformers.
"OK, I guess I needn't get any then as, since I don't run 18v LionChief & use regular transformers."
Should work fine with a regular transformer as long as you have voltage on the track. If you have enough voltage to run a typical AC conventional loco, the track will almost certainly light. Vernon suggests 5-7 volts above as the minimum, and if you have a typical postwar or MPC loco, for example, a loco will be hardly moving below that range in most cases. So at typical running voltages for conventional locos, the track should be fine to light.
Agreeing with what @Landsteiner said and to add clarity to the subject:
The power packs that come with some LionChief starter sets produce 18 Volts DC.
O Gauge transformers are AC and their track terminals typically put out from 0 to 8 volts minimum up to 18 to 22 volts max.
Vernon's helpful analysis tells us that Lighted FasTrack will work on both types of power supplies.
Just ordered 2 packs of curves & 1 pack of straights. From TrainWorld. Curves are on sale right now. (4) curves for $30. Plus a 10% off coupon in Classic Toy Trains magazine
Fastrack from TrainWorld arrived today. Was out shopping for a new Christmas Tree due poor lighting wiring design on a 3 year old tree.
Yeah. Had to wait for my son to lay the Fastrack. I recently had another hand surgery. We got it down last night. It’s actually pretty cool underneath our tree.
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