Walt,
Here is what I believe maybe your problem, your RealTrax is probably the 031 RealTrax, that I also use on my inner most oval, your BB 263E engine will run on this but some of the rolling stock probably binds a might. Your 261E Christmas train rolling stock will not run on the 031 FasTrack, is it made for 036 and above, your engine and tender may run on it however you will see it struggles on the 031 curves.
Walt I understand you are a new runner with your Tin Plate, however most all your problems will go away once you use your 042 RealTrax, infact if you plan on using any switches in your layout, engineer with the 072 switches, especially if you are planning to purchase any of the large Tin Plate Crane Cars, which are extremely cool. Now here is the bad news, RealTrax
switches are not my choice for original Lionel or MTH Repro Tin Plate, some of the Tin
Plate coventional engines stall because of contact roller spacing. The P2 engines, however do handle them better. I use no switches on my inner 031 RealTrax oval because I want to run both my old Tin Conventionals and my P2 engines on it. Walt the reason I like FasTrack so much is that all my Tin Plate trains run like glass on it, especially with the 048 & 072 curves, however with most plate you can go as tight as 036. The 2600 type engines and rolling stock can be run on your 031 RealTrax and your 263E will also run on it. With Tin Plate however I always recommend a min of 036 depending on the engine tender and rolling stock. If you are going to constantly run the bigger work train Crane Cars (810) type, I recommend the 048-072 for best constant runniing.
Walt I hope this helps you a might, hate to see a new Tin Plate runner having problems.
PCRR/Dave
The outer oval is 036 FasTrack the inner oval is 031 RealTrax, the inner oval accommodates all 2600 Tin Plate, the outer 036 FasTrack accommodates almost all other Lionel/MTH O guage Tin Plate engines & rolling stock.
When usng switches with Tin Plate, I use the 072 Switches, FasTrack works well with all the different Tin Plate Engines and rolling stock, I use the command control 072's to accommodate everything.
