Removing Pins from FasTrak?

In order to remove the pins from Fastrack, you need to loosen the rail from the plastic base as they have a tab that extends through the plastic base.  Then you can tinker around with making them work with Gargraves.

Thank you John.

Do you think it would be better to reshape the pin as is then? I'm guessing that the FasTrak end of the pin is identical to the pins that go FasTrak to Fastrak and they only made the end a tubular track pin shape. Am I correct?

Or do I just whack them off and add power/common to both side as if it was a block?

Well, if you look at a piece of Fastrack, I don't know if it mates easily with Gargraves, the track ends are staggered.  In addition, one outside rail has no pin, and the center rail has a oddball half thickness pin.  I think removing the pins and going from scratch would probably be easier.

Or maybe just buy the adapter track to go to tubular and work with it?   At least the end is flat but will have tubular type pins sticking out ..

Jim

... or cut off an inch of a 10" Fastrack section and you will have a better way to try to adapt to the Gargraves... you get a flat end with no pins and a "tubular" (albeit squared off) opening to work with for all 3 rails.

Yeah just make sure you cut it so it still keeps  some track attachment tabs close to the end.  Cant remember right off how far they are apart .

Please reread the OP's question.  He wants to remove the traditional pins out of the tubular track end of the adapter piece.  The ends of the rails on that end are already straight across.  Are those pins on that end the same as on tubular track or are they custom round pins just for this application.

Stu

On the Fastrack adapter section, you can remove the tubular style pins the same way that you remove them from traditional tubular track.  

For that use, you can also use the already available Gargraves to Tubular track pins, no extra work required.

Gargraves makes adapter pins to go from their track to FasTrack. You would  have to lift a rail to see how the FasTrack tubular pins come out. You also need to raise the Gargraves track by 3/16” to match the FasTrack height. They have cork roadbed to do that. I just used pieces of Fastrack that I cut. 

Kreuz posted:

On the Fastrack adapter section, you can remove the tubular style pins the same way that you remove them from traditional tubular track.  

gunrunnerjohn posted:

For that use, you can also use the already available Gargraves to Tubular track pins, no extra work required.

NOT LionelLLC posted:

Please reread the OP's question.  He wants to remove the traditional pins out of the tubular track end of the adapter piece.  The ends of the rails on that end are already straight across.  Are those pins on that end the same as on tubular track or are they custom round pins just for this application.

Stu

Thank you guys!!!

In my mind I pictured the adapter track having a normal FasTrak pin mount on the rail side and the connecting side being manufactured specially to have a tubular style round pin end. If the rail on this adapter is special made for rolled pins it will be wonderful! If only Lionel contacted some of the OGR Forum users when writing catalogs and product decisions!

John H posted:

 You also need to raise the Gargraves track by 3/16” to match the FasTrack height. They have cork roadbed to do that. 

Thanks John, had not considered that at all. Will work up a corresponding track height shim.

I don't even use pins when making the transition.Even up and screw down.Just make sure there is a feed on both sides.As John mentions the GG has to be raised.Nick

Nick, you just made this too easy.  😁

I think I would use the pins if available.  But its just like running a isolated spur.. 

Jim