Fast Tracks

For instance Part No : LT-HO-T-8

One?

I only use PC board ties, so I'm not too sure. It would appear that the part number you quoted refers to the following page:

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/QuickStick ... -t-8-d.htm

I couldn't tell you how many quicksticks are in the pack, as the description doesn't seem to specify. However, should you need more, I would assume you would require the bag of 500 quicksticks listed on the following page:

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/HO-Scale-U ... t-ho-t.htm

Hope that helps.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

Right. That top link was exactly the item in question. It's important I find out as it greatly effects the per-turnout breakdown cost, The bag of ties certainly will work (and is obviously the least expensive option), but that other product is completely ready to go and fits perfect once the PC tied section turnout is built in the jig. I'm really wrestling with two different approaches here.

I've seen an article where both Fast Tracks and anothers products are kitbashed (primarily for the tie plate/spike detail) but they even say there that with a high number of turnouts the fast tracks method "reduces the per-turnout cost considerably" But the pricing I have seen (based one ONE turnout quickstick in a pack) is about $3-4 US higher than the plastic jig counterpart. But even if the Turnout quickstick pack had just 2 per package, the cost then becomes identical to the kitbash method. (albeit without the whole tieplate/spike detail thing) which is the other aspect I am wrestling with and I would LOVE your (or anyone elses) opinion on that topic. I'm leaning to go 100% FastTrack products. I've seen the pics of finished and weathered turnouts on this site and they look great (and with the whole floquil pen thing with the rust color, you get sort of a tie plate effect that from a distance looks fine)

Probably personal preference, but I am interested in others opinions on it.

Thanks again for all the feedback. This is really important as I have 1500 square feet and a blank piece of paper right now. So i'm going to need a LOT of turnouts.

Without knowing what you are comparing fast tracks to, I'll just have to go on what you have posted as being accurate. However, when you said this:



I believe this accounts for the cost difference.

The only reason I am using P C board ties exclusively, is that I get much more rigid track. The other minor consideration is that all ties will be the same thickness and appearance. Given the size of your layout, I can fully understand the cost per turnout consideration. However given the size of your layout, my #1 priority would be reliability. It would be too large, expensive and time consuming to pull up large sections just because you wanted to initially save some money. Having said that, the extra initial cost could mean the layout finish time is greatly extended, or never achieved.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

I was trying to be diplomatic by not mentioning competitors directly, but i'll say the author was Joe Fugate.

However, I had just received my 5 video how-to DVD series from him, and saw that he used a couple methods of tracklaying even on his own pike. Many turnouts are totally handlayed (spiked directly, no PC ties) Some w/PC ties and some with the PC tie plastic kitbash method. Obviously due to over time, different methods presented themselves. So, what that means to me is the whole tieplate/spike detail thing really becomes personal preference. If the Quickstick is one per package, i'm estimating a #8 turnout cost to be about $13 per turnout in supplies, which is still about half the cost of commercial turnouts and these FastTracks you can be assured are 100% NMRA in spec. The Kitbash method uses 90% plastic ties that the rail slides into (in guage) and the rest uses the PC ties..but NOT the jig. You have to spike the PC ties manually to a temporary surface and solder there then take that assembly and mate it to the plastic sections. More time consuming, and I personally think would introduce more opportunity to get out of spec/guage than using a jig in the first place.

Like you said. Reliability is paramount. I do recall in one of the videos he talked of having to pull up a turnout with the jig version PC ties/glued quicksticks model and the turnout was REALLY robust. So it's interesting you do 100% soldered PC ties. But then again, it's personal preference right?

What about the rest of the track? Are you handlaying it all or using flex? And what brand, if so?

Exactly. I like things one way, others like it different. My intention is that all EXPOSED track will be hand laid using PCB ties for consistancy. I might use flex in hidden staging areas, but I haven't started on that yet. If I do use flex, it will be M/E code 70 flex, just to match the M/E code 70 that I use in the hand laid stuff. If I was using code 100, then I would be using Atlas flex, as it is the cheaper of the better flex track available in Melbourne.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

QuickSticks are not sold by the pack unless you consider the 10% quantity discount when you buy 20 or more of the same item. Otherwise all QuickSticks are sold as "each" and are shrink-wrapped together for shipping.

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- Terry -
Customer Service - Fast Tracks HobbyWorks Inc.
service@fast-tracks.net

Thank You! I was unaware about the volume discount. It helps.