wiring Fastrack to power legacy help

You can order 3M connectors here. http://www.mouser.com/

Mouser Part #517-1604--A

I would order 100; they are inexpensive and the shipping will cost almost as much as the connectors. They have given me outstanding and fast  service.

I connect to any Fastrack..curve, straight, etc.

It makes it easier to connect them if you snap off the plastic tab near the connection on the bottom of the track.

HAve a happy Memorial day.

You can also solder wires directly to

Family Trains,

    I use high quality 14 Gauge stranded wire joined with a short length of the Lionel FT wire, that attaches under the FasTrack.  I use wire nuts or soldier the wires solid and never have any problems with Legacy or DCS signal.  Barry and some of the others run 16 Gauge wire, I prefer the 14 Gauge with the step down to, join under the FasTrack, make them up your self and save money or purchase the original Lionel's.

PCRR/Dave

You can get the connectors at Digi-Key and the shipping will probably be much less using USPS First Class. I get my orders from them in a couple of days. Prices on the connectors are about the same. They are also a very good and reliable company. Compare the shipping costs and pricing and see for yourself what you might save at either place.

Here is the Digi-Key link: 3M Connectors 72F-110-20-P-A

I think ordering 100 is also probably the best idea. Some of these things you can't have too many of and you get a price break at either supplier.

If you need wire, I really like the wire OGR sells from their web store. Available in #14 & #16 and several different lengths. Very nice wire.

I bought these - $7 for 100 delivered to your door.

ACDX Rob's link is a much better deal than Digi-Key or Mouser. That's the ones I would choose from all selections posted so far.

Thanks for the fantastic advice. It is greatly appreciated!

Good info all,  thanks............ I am considering a move to add Legacy and love to learn!   Thanks!   Mark

Hi Dave, thanks for the tip. I just want to make sure I understand your approach. You run the bus with 14 gauge and attach the feeders with a short piece the FT wire that Lionel sells? I assume you are using their wire to leverage the connector at the end, right? If so how much of the FT wire do you use? Just enough to make a sold wire right before the connector? Also isn't using the Lionel FT wire several gauges away from the 14? It seems like that is 20 gauge. I have a bunch of Lionel's FT power wires so this could work for me. Thanks for the clarification! 

Family Trains,

    I usually cut the Lionel wire in half, however in a couple of places I have even used the entire wire without any problems, the length of that connecting wire just depends on where and how far I need to run the wire, to connect under the FasTrack.  This has worked out very well for me, and my layout runs with 10's thru out and running Legacy I follow Marty's advise and use both the opposite DCS rail and all the Black out Channels on the TIU, setting up both outside rails as Legacy signal carriers.  This gives a very strong Legacy signal thru out the entire layout.  Remember to engineer your layout in Blocks, using the 12 track join discipline method for your DCS, with good stranded 14 or 16 Gauge wire and Lionel type FT Connectors, and your FasTrack layout will run great.  Further I still use a programming track to assure my new P2/P3 Engines program absolutely correctly, with the newer TIU Rev L this might be over kill, however I still do it.

PCRR/Dave

If you are in a hurry and want to run some trains, try a local advance auto parts store for the auto craft .110 quick disconnect terminals. They seem to be an item that is stocked. ebay is a better deal, but if the local store has them in stock, you can run some trains. get the eBay for inventory as you'll need them.

I just soldered the wires right to the tabs on the bottom of the track. I use 16 gauge speaker wire that I buy off Amazon.