What is the best way to make blocks with Fastrack?

There is a 5 inch track section and a 1 3/8 inch track section that has a jumper that can be removed to break the rail into 2 sections.  Works well.

A Dremel tool with a cut-off disc. Put the block anywhere you want it.

You can see how to pull pins / disassemble / reassemble Fastrack in this video where an insulated track and it's adjoining sections are made:

Do you have switches, between the loops? Fastrack switches larger than o-36 have an 1 3/8" extension on them with a removable wire underneath. Remove the center (power) wire and viola,instant block.

All of my switches will be O48 or larger.  Thanks for the tip.   

So far I have only had to use the above mentioned 5" block sections.  If you use the smaller 1 3/8 section, there is only a wire for the middle rail.  The 5" block provides wires to isolate all 3 rails.  I'd have to check but I am pretty sure the activator sections only isolate one of the outer rails (and not the middle).

Although you can use the dremel tool, most of the time you really don't have to.  The whole point to the provided pieces is that you can pretty much put them where you want (even between curve sections) and have a reversible method of blocking.  Good luck!

I have also found the tutorial videos on how to modify FasTrack informative.  I appreciate the pointers to them and will keep them in mind when I start running into situations where the provided pieces just wont do the job.

Regards,

Eric S.

Saline, MI

JD Jr.,

Another tip somewhat related.  If you have a program like RR-Track using the sections mention above work great.  If you are building from a concept on paper or in your head then using these sections becomes a little more difficult only because matching or closing a section in Fastrack is a little more difficult than tubular or some of the other track systems.  Fastrack has less ‘play’ and if you try to close a section by pulling them together another section may open a little and you will see the gap in the roadbed. 

I found myself making multiple trips to the hobby shop when converting from tubular to Fastrack because I did want to cut or alter any of the sections myself – just my preference.  After buying RR-Track going to the hobby shop with a track list and then it fitting together the way I designed it was a beautiful thing.  Either way will work, it is up to you. 

I have my two loops isolated and have toggle switches for my yard.

I am using RR-Track 4 to design the layout.  Hope to get the benchwork started this week.  I have been working hard on getting the walls around the layout painted and installing overhead lighting over the layout.

Here is my proposed track plan.  I really only want to make the outside mainline on a separate block then the inside wye and sidings.  I plan to run in command mode 90% of the time but once in awhile I will end up wanting to run my postwar or MPC stuff or my son will want to run his Thomas set on my layout.  

Jim,

I like your track plan...  would you mind posting your .rrt file?

Regards,

Eric S.

Saline, MI

Here is the file.

Thank you everyone for your help.   

Thanks, Jim!  Be sure to post layout pictures!

I don't know about others but I find it helps motivate me to see pictures of other layouts in the "under construction" phase.

Regards,

Eric S.

Saline, MI

I will be posting photos on my thread in the "Track Plans and Layout Design" sub forum.  You can see the thread here: Help with a 13.6x8 layout.

I will also be posting on weekly Weekend photo fun threads once I get a bit more done.