FasTrack Layout Help? A Challenge!

I like the plan but alas, I'm no help. Someone will be along soon.

Well, the attachments can help you create a mix of FasTrack pieces that should help you fill most gaps.  Remember, if you have a gap where no combination seems to work, try removing a straight piece next to your gap and then play with the larger gap number and this chart.

Curves that don't meet up may require insertion / deletion of some straight pieces somewhere else in the plan to work.

Finally, I don't use Mac or Rail Modeller Pro, so some issue might just be in software tolerances or in input of track measurements by vendor.

Good luck with your build.

Chuck

If you had a RRTrack file, I'd be happy to help. 

Thanks Jon, Chuck and Gilly.  I had no idea FasTrack could be cut. I have been cutting 027 track forever! The track length chart is a real help. Alan, drtock

Drtock, I don't like to do custom cut FasTrack sections, they are a hassle for me, and the joints don't look good enough (to me).  But you might have better skills.

If you had this in AnyRail, I would be glad to look at it for you.

Otherwise, using combinations of small sections can make a difference.  In particular, the 1-3/8 sections either singly or in pairs or three will get combos that can help.   I spend a lot of time working with different small curve sections to make small variations less than what can be done with the 1/8" differential of the 1-3/8" straight sections.

Interesting design, I like the big access area in the corner.

Thanks Ken-Oscale. I only have a Mac so I'll continue working with the small curve sections until I get the tracks to connect. I am having more success in closing gaps in straight runs. However, when the geometry of the curves doesn't match up, a solution is more challenging. Good news is the software is a pleasure to use. alan

Hi DRTock, Dr. Tock, I presume? I have this tic - I'm on too many sites! Rx? lol... Hope you don't mind the bad pun. I've had FasTrack for many years and have learned how to make my own insulated curve/straights; not hard but a bit time-consuming (but what are hobbies for?). Anyway, Lionel has made a variety, as you probably know, of smaller straight and curved sections, but for most of us they are a caution - they cost almost as much as a typical straight or curved section.

So, you have an easier choice if money's not a huge problem. You could cut FasTrack sections by removing a measured piece to shorten it to the length needed. If so, I highly recommend using a good Dremel cutting tool cutting wheel - You'd have to look underneath a section to be cut where the outside rail connectors are. Some remove these before cutting, some don't, but if you're going to cut thru one, I'd remove the plate-type connector before cutting. 

GunrunnerJohn, a Forum guru, has mentioned that a big problem with cutting thru FasTrack is re-joining the two cut sections. Precise measurement before cutting and then using perhaps "031" track pins (or larger?) to rejoin the track sections will give you what you need. Sometimes it's just better to alter the track plan so you don't have any/many gaps.

Yet one more possibility: You could either buy or cut your own "FasTrack to O tubular" sections where the type of cutting you're used to would yield results. I've done that on my layout so that I can easily fit in sections for my "#3424 Wabash operating brakeman" track activators, or a #352-type Ice House/Ice Car, or standard O31 operating/uncoupling sections for dump cars, etc. Good luck!  PS: on pic #1 and #3, there are 4 types of track: K-Line, FasTrack, O tubular and GarGraves. The trains run well over them.

Thanks Virginian65, These are all very useful suggestions. As I work with the Railmodeller pro software I am getting better at figuring out how to us the mini FasTrack sections to make connections. Its not so obvious for the beginner and I can't help but think it may discourage some from using FasTrack. I like your work arounds with mixing track only when needed. However, are all the various tracks you use from different manufacturers varying heights than FasTrack thereby requiring lots of shimming to bring all tracks level? I assume you use FasTrack switches, right? BTW, I was wondering how I was going to get to enjoy my Wabash operating brakeman car, and thanks to your suggestions, the problem is resolved! Also, thanks for the pictures of your layout. They made it very easy to see what you were talking about. drtock, alan

interesting thread.  Want to highlight the attachments from PRR1950, great stuff and don't miss it.

Thanks hokie71. Already downloaded PRR1950 attachments and they are very helpful. drtock, alan

@drtock posted:

However, are all the various tracks you use from different manufacturers varying heights than FasTrack thereby requiring lots of shimming to bring all tracks level? I assume you use FasTrack switches, right?  drtock, alan

Alan, very little shimming is required. The tallest tracks are the 031-type sections by Lionel and K-line ("Shadow Rail"), and they fit perfectly to the FasTrack 1/2 sections that have regular FasTrack "teeth" on one side and tubular on the other. If you purchase some GarGraves-type track, it's closer in height to 027, but won't be a problem if you buy some GarGraves to 031 track pins...