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BobbyD posted:
Chris Lonero posted:

Here is the track in person at the Lionel booth at the Springfield show today. I ran the car back and fourth and I didn’t see any trailing affect. The LED’s went on and off as the wheels went over them. The track kind of looks like ice covered tracks which would fit in more with a Christmas loop under the tree. 

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Chris, I may have missed it. Are they using an insulated outer rail or some type of sensors? Nice image. The frosted track looks like it would fit in with the white Polar track.

My guess is they are using an insulated outer rail that completes the circuit when the metal wheels pass over the tracks. 

Think we are getting to the point of needing to know the design implementation details to figure out how well it may work in different scenarios.

If it's using just the isolated outside rail, how did they do that?  If it's the whole rail on each piece, accomplished by using a non-metallic pin on the ends, that could be the simplest and might sort of have the trailing effect since the track won't go dark until the last set of wheels leave it.

If it's not the whole rail, did they just make a cut a short distance in on each end to isolate one rail?

For anything more complicated than a simple loop/oval the implementation is important since flipping the curve orientation would involve switching which rail is isolated.  (like an "S" curve). 

Would have been neat to see it, but MA is a bit far for me for a train meet.

-Dave

Last edited by Dave45681

I went to the Amherst show too and I recorded a video of the train rolling over the track. I took a close look at the joint and they either did not use any pin at all in the outer rail or they used a clear plastic one. I couldn't really see a pin. This will raise the question on how they plan on allowing the connection to existing track. Worst case is they will require you to use the isolating track sections that come with sku: 6-81317. They would allow you to keep the outer rail isolated on the junction to the lighted sections. 

I also noticed they seem to be prototypes on display that are missing the capacitors that would have allowed a fade out effect on the LEDs after the train left. 

Landsteiner posted:

I am very tempted by the Christmas or Area 51 sets for this reason.  Very clever and fun, innovative new approach to the toy aspects of the hobby, in my view.  Hope they can bring the price down on the separate sale track, although I doubt anyone wants a large layout made with this cool track.

I may be in for the Area 51 Set and would likely want to supplement the track included with the set. For that reason would be buying some separate sale pieces. However, as you and others have noted would be cost prohibitive to build a large layout out of these.  

@bluedragon posted:

Hi, well i guess i stated it wrong,   what i am looking for is the Fastrack Terminal section.  Its shown in the video, but i cannot find it on any website. in the video it looks just like the terminal section used on the LionChief track, but of course its lighted with colored lights.

Thanks,

Pat's Trains list them.

Lighted Terminal Track 2025070

I expanded our Christmas layout this year.  Added 2 switches, some more Fastrack, and a 4-pack of the lighted Fastrack.  I spread the lighted Fastrack out.  I had one section on a loop, then 2 adjoining pieces on the section that connects the 2 loops, and one section on the second loop.  I like the way the sections come on and go off in sequence as the train passes over them.  In fact, I ordered another 4-pack to use on next year's Christmas layout.

My Christmas layout uses O-48 curves exclusively.  Unfortunately, Lionel only offers the lighted Fastrack in O-36 curves. Maybe by next Christmas they will offer it in other curve radii.

Hi again, well i opened the lighted fastrack box and looked at one of the tracks.. on the bottom it has a plate that you have to remove if you want

to try to connect power via some spade connectors.. has anybody had to to that or do you have another way other then the power track which is about $32-$38 depending on where you buy it. I saw the previous post about getting 1 10" track and 1 power track in the kit, but i don't need any more track at this point.

Thanks,

@bluedragon posted:

Hi again, well i opened the lighted fastrack box and looked at one of the tracks.. on the bottom it has a plate that you have to remove if you want to try to connect power via some spade connectors..

Yes, you certainly can, the spade termial size is 2.8mm which you can buy a 100 pack of on amazon for 5 bucks. However if you wanted  some pre-made ones, lionel has you covered: Lionel #6-12053 fastrack accessory wire can certainly be used for some light duty power supply work.

Just make sure you pay attention to which wire you attach to the center rail to the center rail.

I personally was disappointed that the tracks don't fade out after the train passes so I am looking into adding a supercapacitor to the output of the switching power supply Lionel runs these lights with. I also want to add  optional blue replacement lights for my Star Trek set.

Also I want to add that now that I bought the 40x50 lighted oval starter set, I can see that they have updated the design, from the preproduction piece that was at the show. now there is an insulated section in the middle of one of the common rails. On both ends they have a jumper bar bridging the two common rails back together but now only the middle 8 inches of the one common rails are insulated. A pretty smart design I would say.

Folks,

I have the lighted green FasTrak that came with the new Area 51 Railroad Set. Same design as the multi-colored track.

Here's a shot of the underside. Can see there's an opening where you can feed a power wire and attach with spade connectors like regular FasTrak. Still need to remove the plate on bottom of the track first. Also, can see the jumper referred to above.

I plan to do this and use a transformer for power rather than the supplied wall wart.

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Last edited by johnstrains

This track certainly looks like it would be fun for train shows or the kids on a home Christmas layout. Very nice lighting effect.

It had me thinking about creating something like this for my public Christmas Train village layouts for future years. For a much cheaper and quieter option (Fastrack is noisy and expensive) my local LED light shop had bags of LED lights 24VDC 30 feet 100 LED's in mixed and various solid colors for $2 bag. To do something like Lionel did I would use a track that already has both outer rails isolated from each other; (like the K-Line Track, or Atlas track I currently use for quick set ups at train shows.)  For each section of track that I want to light when a train is on it; I put plastic pins on both ends of one of the outer rails, attach a strip of these lights a few bulbs between the ties, the ties sitting on tin foil, the lights run through a full wave bridge rectifier (to change AC to DC) to a wire connection one wire to center rail and other to the insulated outside rail. This way as the train rolls over it the wheels would form the connection from the powered outside rail to the other insulated outside rail thus lighting that section of track. If the track is slightly elevated you would only need a few bulbs per track section as the light would reflect along the tinfoil under the track. I am sure that the lights would flicker a bit depending on how clean the rails and wheels were, (they get a bit dirty after many hours of use at my Christmas train displays) This would work well for Command engines running at 20+ volts, but if you were running an engine that is transformer controlled you would have to test your regular maximum operating voltage you might find that the 12 volt lights would work better.

I have a few loops of permanently attached track that I have attached to 4x8 foot foam boards for train shows. Perhaps I will have to create this using the above method for some lighted Christmas train boards.

@kj356 posted:

This track certainly looks like it would be fun for train shows or the kids on a home Christmas layout. Very nice lighting effect.

It had me thinking about creating something like this for my public Christmas Train village layouts for future years. For a much cheaper and quieter option (Fastrack is noisy and expensive) my local LED light shop had bags of LED lights 24VDC 30 feet 100 LED's in mixed and various solid colors for $2 bag. To do something like Lionel did I would use a track that already has both outer rails isolated from each other; (like the K-Line Track, or Atlas track I currently use for quick set ups at train shows.)  For each section of track that I want to light when a train is on it; I put plastic pins on both ends of one of the outer rails, attach a strip of these lights a few bulbs between the ties, the ties sitting on tin foil, the lights run through a full wave bridge rectifier (to change AC to DC) to a wire connection one wire to center rail and other to the insulated outside rail.

Speaking of making your own lighted track, just noticed yesterday on the auction site that there's a seller who is offering lighted FasTrak with various colored LEDs. He's rolling his own and selling them by the piece. Saw red, green, blue, maybe some others. According to the "Sold" numbers, he's doing quite well with these. Probably had a holiday season bump.

Interesting Innovation which is welcome in this age of advanced electronics.  I can see multiple implementations... one of which would be useful in switches where the selected path remains lighted as a visual cue.  I too would like to have colors selectable, and would like to have solid red, green and a few select other options. Not very fond of the yellow LEDs. But I too fear this track will be a one off, as Lionel is notorious for such things... Case in point: White Fastrack was never offered in other diameters, special length pieces, crossovers or switches!  A dang shame they couldn't see the forest for the trees.  There would be a good demand for them I suspect. 

Now for the good news...  Kohls is acting as a clearing house for the Lionel store and currently has the NPC Lionel Junction set on sale for $209.99!  It comes with the complete oval of lighted track, power track and straight track, and of course an inexpensive train and wall wart transformer.  A cheap set but with great play value and you won't feel bad when the kids destroy the Locomotive!  I ordered some white track from Kohls on their current sale and it arrived three days later (free shipping via UPS ground) from Charlotte... and the added bonus of ordering from Kohls is you get Kohls cash as well.  Happy shopping!

@Tommys_Trains  I also took advantage of the sale.  Ordered several packs of the white Fastrack, both straight and curved sections.  Used some Kohl’s cash we had to pay a portion of the order which brought total slightly below “free shipping” amount, added another 4-pack which brought back “free shipping,” but made total just a little less than the “next Kohl’s cash” level.  Thought about buying a pack of Elves which would put order well over what was needed but ultimately just added another 4-pack of straight track which got us an additional $10 Kohl’s cash.  Will probably use new Kohl’s cash to buy another Hallmark Lionel ornament.  

Last edited by GregM

This clear track is a lot more brittle than standard gray fastrack.  As are most clear plastics. Purchased last Christmas a Lionel Junction Christmas set which came with a curve that had a crack completely across it. Don't know how well carpet layouts will stand up if young admirers get too close and step on the track.

Lionel did send me a replacement section within two weeks of calling them.

Guys, yes, I ordered the entire set for about $200.  I also had ordered the white track packs while they were on sale.  And yes, the sale has ended.  I do expect to see the same stuff on sale again, and they seem to be adding one or two items every week.  Like I said before, they appear to be a clearing house for the Charlotte warehouse.  And the sale at Kohls seems to correspond to when Lionel puts stuff on sale themselves.  The advantage to ordering through Kohls is the Kohls Cash credit which is significant.  Free shipping too. 

Kohl's got me again.  Just ordered some additional white FasTrack through their website.  Good price plus that ever-present Kohl's cash.   Just like last year, the Kohl's cash will possibly be used for another unneeded Hallmark ornament.  It would be nice if the white FasTrack terminal and power lock-on sections were offered through Kohl's.

Still hopeful that someday Lionel will offer 30" white FasTrack sections.

I ran into a small problem setting up eight pieces of the Lionel Christmas LED track today. I am using an MTH Christmas Trolley and it was inconsistently running. I cleaned the track but it did not solve the problem.  I finally noticed that I was not consistent in aligning each track section with the same cut rails.  I had not paid attention. I fixed the alignment and the track works great.  Full brightness on all LED's and the trolley now runs smoothly. Keep the cut rails on the same side of the tracks as you lay it out.

I bought 8 curved lighted track at a show last year to use at a layout we built for the South Hadley MA Library. the layout was running for about 3 weeks and one of the tracks lights went out and one of the tracks 1/2 the lights went out. It doesn't look like they can be repaired???? If anyone knows how to repair them please let me know. The Kids used the Train Table to display their Lego Creations.

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@gene maag posted:

I bought 8 curved lighted track at a show last year to use at a layout we built for the South Hadley MA Library. the layout was running for about 3 weeks and one of the tracks lights went out and one of the tracks 1/2 the lights went out. It doesn't look like they can be repaired???? If anyone knows how to repair them please let me know. The Kids used the Train Table to display their Lego Creations.

Maybe what is shown in this video is the culprit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oov1Nlp9T1I

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