I went to carpet world and bought drops of carpet backing that they put down on the floor before they lay the carpet down it's a real thick spongy foam it's easy to work with it Not be noise down tremendously
My nephew had a set running on the floor in the basement-loud! I decided not to use fastrack at that moment. It is also much more expensive than tubular. So I use tubular on homasote. Great combination.
I use homasote, not really sure that it is any better than foam. I just come from the age when folks always put down homasote before laying the track. It helps reduce the noise some, but then again I also kind of like the sound of the steel wheels on the metal track. LOL Very good tip about painting the rims. Although I am pretty much a diesel guy now I can see where it would make a difference in the appearance of a steamer. I am kind of like you. Not a rivet counter, but I do like a degree of realism on the layout. For me it just makes the layout more interesting and fun. You have a beautiful railroad. I'm going to subscribe.
I appreciate your video on the explanation of the track power controller TPC I have three of them connected in daisy chain together. But I'm having a couple issues I think my second and third one of my second and third main line might be stuck in conventional mode I was wondering if you could help me answer some questions. Thank you in advance Keith wood
Sure. I would double check with your owners manual. Maybe try reprogramming if necessary. I would like to think that even if they are stuck as you say. It should just be a matter of addressing the TPC unit, and turning the throttle knob up until you have full voltage. Then address your loco and run trains normally. FWIW. Even when set to a specific voltage, both my TPC and AVC unit will vary voltage if the throttle knob is turned while either unit is still addressed.
How do you attach the fast tracks to the foam? Are you able to screw into that pink foam? Planning a layout right now. Thinking of using insulating foam as my layout top.
The foam I have is only 1/2" thick. I believe I used 1&1/4" #4 wood screws so they go into the tabletop. The main thing to remember is to "gently" snug the screws down so you don't distort the track. Mine are just tight enough so when you push down on the track you don't see the screw head rise up. You don't need a screw in every hole. Sight down the top of the rails and use the screws to bring down any raised areas..
I enjoy your channel! Question: Is your pedestrian walkover bridge a custom mod or purchased that way? I have the Lionel double track silver one but it does not fit right and was thinking about breaking out the dremel and glue. If so, any tips?
Thanks for the compliments. Thats a Bachmannn Plasticville O scale pedestrian bridge. I cut out the flat walkway between the two staircases so it would fit better with my station platform. These come green, so I painted it silver. The Plasticville bridge is in kit form so its a bit easier to cut and modify. I think I was able to cut it with a razor knife which is less aggressive. A dremel will certainly work. I would stay behind where you actually need to make the cut as a dremel tends to remove extra material as the plastic heats up.
Hello Sir, I'm sorry to bother you I just wanted to let you know that I'm very much interested in your tutorials on your Layout. I have a complicated question about Fastrak. Do you by any chance happen to have any Conventional Postwar & MPC Lionel Trains in your Inventory? The reason I asked you is because I'm a Member of a O-Gauge 3-Rail Club and apparently the members there say that I have only 2 choices for running my Trains on the Club Layout. Because I only have alot of Postwar & MPC Trains I can only run them on Tubular Tracks or I can run it on the 4x6 Fastrak Loop. I asked them why only on those Layouts? They told me that the 2 Layoutsare Loops only no Switches the main Layout has Gargrave Track & Ross Switches and my Trains would cause alot of derailments if I run it on that Layout. Have you ever heard of this before? Older Trains running on newer types of Tracks. What can I do? My entire Inventory since I was a kid is Conventional Postwar & MPC Trains on Tubular Track. Like you I want to try Fastrak, but I'm afraid something might go wrong. Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan Martinez
No bother at all Alan. I don't see any reason why postwar trains won't run on Lionel fastrack. I'm not aware of any issues running older trains on Gargraves and Ross. I'd say try it on there and if it derails, then you know. In my opinion, this may just be a way to keep part of the layout for the newer command controlled trains. I.E., so your postwar stuff isn't in the way. Thats strictly my opinion however. I've considered joining a club, but visiting clubs in my area I get a sense there may be some "train egos" involved, so I prefer running at home.
Nice looking layout ..track looks great ..the shiny center rail reflects the ties and disappears ..😊
@devinrogers6877 Thankyou for the kind words!
Keep the videos coming. I am really enjoying the info videos as of late and getting to see this layout from a different perspective.
The painted rim detail is something I never even thought of - good tip!
Can you do a scenery tutorial? Your scenery (grass, roads, trees, gravel) is some of the best I’ve seen on TH-cam
I use homasote under my fastrack. It definitely softens the noise considerably
Awesome video..thanks for sharing
I like your content. I'm big on TMCC and Truck power controllers and accessories switch controllers
I went to carpet world and bought drops of carpet backing that they put down on the floor before they lay the carpet down it's a real thick spongy foam it's easy to work with it Not be noise down tremendously
My nephew had a set running on the floor in the basement-loud! I decided not to use fastrack at that moment. It is also much more expensive than tubular. So I use tubular on homasote. Great combination.
I use homasote, not really sure that it is any better than foam. I just come from the age when folks always put down homasote before laying the track. It helps reduce the noise some, but then again I also kind of like the sound of the steel wheels on the metal track. LOL Very good tip about painting the rims. Although I am pretty much a diesel guy now I can see where it would make a difference in the appearance of a steamer. I am kind of like you. Not a rivet counter, but I do like a degree of realism on the layout. For me it just makes the layout more interesting and fun. You have a beautiful railroad. I'm going to subscribe.
I appreciate your video on the explanation of the track power controller TPC I have three of them connected in daisy chain together. But I'm having a couple issues I think my second and third one of my second and third main line might be stuck in conventional mode I was wondering if you could help me answer some questions. Thank you in advance Keith wood
Sure. I would double check with your owners manual. Maybe try reprogramming if necessary.
I would like to think that even if they are stuck as you say. It should just be a matter of addressing the TPC unit, and turning the throttle knob up until you have full voltage. Then address your loco and run trains normally.
FWIW. Even when set to a specific voltage, both my TPC and AVC unit will vary voltage if the throttle knob is turned while either unit is still addressed.
How do you have your crossings hooked up
th-cam.com/video/vAZtCK4xWvk/w-d-xo.html
How do you attach the fast tracks to the foam? Are you able to screw into that pink foam? Planning a layout right now. Thinking of using insulating foam as my layout top.
The foam I have is only 1/2" thick. I believe I used 1&1/4" #4 wood screws so they go into the tabletop.
The main thing to remember is to "gently" snug the screws down so you don't distort the track.
Mine are just tight enough so when you push down on the track you don't see the screw head rise up.
You don't need a screw in every hole. Sight down the top of the rails and use the screws to bring down any raised areas..
I enjoy your channel! Question: Is your pedestrian walkover bridge a custom mod or purchased that way? I have the Lionel double track silver one but it does not fit right and was thinking about breaking out the dremel and glue. If so, any tips?
Thanks for the compliments. Thats a Bachmannn Plasticville O scale pedestrian bridge. I cut out the flat walkway between the two staircases so it would fit better with my station platform. These come green, so I painted it silver.
The Plasticville bridge is in kit form so its a bit easier to cut and modify. I think I was able to cut it with a razor knife which is less aggressive.
A dremel will certainly work. I would stay behind where you actually need to make the cut as a dremel tends to remove extra material as the plastic heats up.
So did you cover your whole table top with the 1/2 pink foam?
Yes. the small yard area and sidings have a second 1/2" layer between the track so it looks like secondary track as opposed to the mainline.
Hello Sir,
I'm sorry to bother you I just wanted to let you know that I'm very much interested in your tutorials on your Layout. I have a complicated question about Fastrak. Do you by any chance happen to have any Conventional Postwar & MPC Lionel Trains in your Inventory? The reason I asked you is because I'm a Member of a O-Gauge 3-Rail Club and apparently the members there say that I have only 2 choices for running my Trains on the Club Layout.
Because I only have alot of Postwar & MPC Trains I can only run them on Tubular Tracks or I can run it on the 4x6 Fastrak Loop. I asked them why only on those Layouts? They told me that the 2 Layoutsare Loops only no Switches the main Layout has Gargrave Track & Ross Switches and my Trains would cause alot of derailments if I run it on that Layout. Have you ever heard of this before? Older Trains running on newer types of Tracks. What can I do? My entire Inventory since I was a kid is Conventional Postwar & MPC Trains on Tubular Track. Like you I want to try Fastrak, but I'm afraid something might go wrong.
Thank you for your time
Sincerely
Allan Martinez
No bother at all Alan. I don't see any reason why postwar trains won't run on Lionel fastrack.
I'm not aware of any issues running older trains on Gargraves and Ross. I'd say try it on there and if it derails, then you know.
In my opinion, this may just be a way to keep part of the layout for the newer command controlled trains. I.E., so your postwar stuff isn't in the way. Thats strictly my opinion however.
I've considered joining a club, but visiting clubs in my area I get a sense there may be some "train egos" involved, so I prefer running at home.
FASTRACK IS NOISY BUT THE TRAINS STAY ON TRACK
Putting something between the track and the tables top cuts the noise sunstantially. I used pink foam sheets. Homasoate would work even better.