RealTrax vs FasTrack

Picking between Fastrack and RealTrax, I'd go with Fastrack. First off, the switches are more reliable, you have a wider variety of track sizes, and my experience with RealTrax was that the contacts between tracks weren't that robust.

Also, Atlas has Industrial Rail track.

Williams also has EZ-Track.

2nd what GRJ said above. One year I set up a simple oval of RealTrax for a tree layout, just to compare to Fastrack. Track-to-track connections were problematic for me (electrical and mechanical), even on a simple oval. Fastrack is great on a carpet.

I’ve been doing a largeannual  Christmas carpet layout since 2007, using mainly Realtrax (added Atlas the last few years). If you’re not going to use turnouts, I’d say Realtrax is OK if you prefer the look. I had terrible luck with, and abandoned Realtrax turnouts. Starting out (especially with turnouts), you may as well go Fastrack. 

As for wiring for DCS, if you can attach wires to the track, you can attach DCS. Your easiest bet will be power connection sections. Soldering will be your cheapest. 

And there I just bought more RealTrax and 4 more switches to add to the 2 I've had new-in-box for ~15 years. I was disappointed in the color and texture differences between the new stuff and the older stuff, but not much I can do now.

I also recently increased my FasTrack inventory, but the 4 switches I got via the Outer Passing Loop and Inner Passing Loop track packs are manual, so I suppose I'll have to keep an eye out for deals on remote switches.  At least the color and texture difference between my older and new FasTrack pieces is not as noticeable as the RealTrax stuff.

Maybe I'll fix up the basement a bit (needs more electrical circuits/outlets and more heating), build more tables (I have one, but it's currently disassembled from the last move), and graduate to the big-boy track.  However, I only plan to live here for another 8-10 years before I retire, sell most everything, and move into a continuing-care retirement complex nearby.  At least I have some Z gauge stuff I can putter with in what I'm sure will be a small efficiency/1-bedroom place...

Speaking of Lionel Remote Switches, can I get the basic remote ones and operate them via an MTH AIU?  Or would I need to get the Remote/Command switches and, if so, can those then be operated with an AIU or would I need to go DCS/TMCC which, at that point, I think I'd have to 'drop 10 and punt'...

Yes, you can wire the "standard" remote switch to an AIU.

The AIU is connected to the TIU. The AIU is not a stand-alone device. It is part of the DCS system. The AIU controls 10 switches AND 10 accessories. You can also program up to 16 routes. A route is a combination of any (or all) of your connected switches. With a cable and TMCC (or Legacy) Lionel Command Base, you can run MTH AND Lionel engines (as TMCC) with the DCS system.

IMHO, this is a much more cost effective than the Lionel offering.

As a former RealTrax user, do yourself a favor...  Lionel Fastrack is the best for Carpet running.

Have Fun!

Ron

If you are frequently assembling and disassembling the layout, i.e. carpet central, Fastrack is your better choice.  The joints are more robust than Realtrax.

George

With a little work you can mix the 2 tracks. Find a discreet spot and mate them with a small piece of tubular in the middle. Just a thought, since you’re invested in both. 

Where's the "Reply with Quote" button?  There was a thread about that...

You don't need tubular in the middle.  The transition pieces from each brand will mate.

Thanks all for your replies.  My older RealTrax is tending to break at the connections, I guess it's getting too old and, yes, the connection of track pieces can be a bit awkward.  The idea of connecting the two could be a bit jarring visually, so I think I'll just keep two independent loops and eventually wire them both to the TIU with my pair of Z-1000s powering them until I spring for a Z-4000. 

The only command locos I currently have are all old ProtoSound 2, I'll have to get them running again and maybe think about upgrading them to PS3.  I do have what I think is a very nice scale Williams GP38 AA set in Chessie livery that I'm going to take to the local PS Upgrade shop and see if they can convert it for me, but pretty much everything else I have is 'O27 scale', so we'll see what the cost will be first.

Just use the Realtrax you have until it fails,  and future buys going forward can be Fastrack.  No real downside to that approach.  

IMHO Fastrack just looks better and I like the low profile romote control switches, plus lots of availalbe lengths and radii.