thinking about doing a carpet layout in lionel fast track

Well for starters, the only manual FasTrack switches are 036. In general, the switches are excellent. I use a pair of the manual 036s on back-to-back reversing loops. I have FasTrack that I've been running since 2007. Like any track, it will get dirty. All in all, it's good track. There have been complaints about noise, but for carpet, I'd say it's a very good choice.

Gilly

Thank you for your input Gilly yeah i know O36 is only manual switch rest are remote im going to be using O48 turns and O36 switches wonder if my trains will run thru ok i have an engine has to run on O42 turns  if not i will have to use O48 switches

What engine is it that's rated for O-42?  All of my Premier diesels go thru O-36 switches just fine, as well as my Railking steam engines of all sizes, from 0-8-0 to Big Boy. 

FastTrak switches are some of the best.  The only downside to carpet layout is the dust and fuzz gets mixed up and so you have to clean more often.  I did it for a year or two and enjoyed it a lot.

Mike

Thanks Mike its Premier MTH SD50 Engine and Lionel Chessie Steam Passenger Train

Thanks Mike

MTH rates their larger diesels for O-42 because their next size lower is O-31.  While O-31 is probably questionable, the O-36 of Fastrack works fine.  

My first layouts used Atlas, then MTH Realtrax.  While these track systems were OK, the Fastrack used on the last rebuild(4 yrs ago) of the layout(10x36) has proved to be more reliable in terms of electrical conductivity; with less than half a volt variance anywhere on the main line using only two power feeds.   The Fastrack switches have been bullet proof.  

I found that the track flexed on my carpet.  The flexing would eventually cause conductivity issues.  I developed a way to fix the track and tighten it up.  I took a 5" piece of track and ground the pins so they were some what thinner than normal.  I would then insert this into another piece of track I wanted to tighten, and squeeze with pliers.

Might be worthwhile to lay down some wood first instead of running right on the carpet.  Depends on the carpet, I suppose.

Mike

I have a SD-60M, Dash-8, SD-45,etc., and they all run around O-36 curves just fine. 

Thanks Mike and Mike LOL yes i know MTH rated O42 thats why i was asking if it would go into my sidings ok with O36 switches im going to use O48 turns on the mainline and i am going to use plywood to lay the track on so don't give much i know be noisy but i like the noise and click clak sound

Fastrack works GREAT for me on the carpet!  

Just watch your step so you do not accidentally kick your train. 

I don't have any problems with the track "flexing" because my carpet is not very thick. I had this set up with a double reversing loop during Christmas 2009. It was AWESOME!

If you do run a long track, consider feeding power to several points along the layout to keep your train(s) running at consistent speed especially at the furthest distance from your transformer. I tucked the power feed wires under the Fastrack. 

Currently, I have a 9x8 double reversing loop on my office floor. In fact, I'm running a train on it right now! 

Note: in the photo below the long straight track isn't bent. The camera lens caused distortion in the image. This pic was taken after I set up the Fastrack. I added some girder bridges afterwards. The doors on the cabinets are about 3 or 4 inches above the floor so they opened easily and never interfered with the track. Of course, I could not open them when trains were running. 

Here is my small offering I live in England and have the use of the front room carpet any time I want I do not have points just yet but as you can see I can make a big fig 8,all 0-36 Fast Track. I took some video and they are on utube.

I am not sure how to put the links on  to see my Trains running