Found a loop of fastrack with a black center rail ?

njalb1 · February 10, 2007, 8:11pm

Can anyone tell me when this was done (history of) and why the change ?

Thanks, Al

Dave45681 · February 10, 2007, 9:03pm

The early starter sets that included FasTrack had the black center rail.

Rumor is Lionel switched because the black looked too out of place. (it does not really “mix in” with the FT balast and ties as it can with black tie track such as Gargraves, Scaletrax, K-Line Supersnap, etc)

njalb1 · February 10, 2007, 9:07pm

Thanks Dave for the reply! Al

ADCX_Rob · February 10, 2007, 9:17pm

Early edition.

The black rail was hideously obvious in the gray roadbed & brown ties, it was very soon realized that a silver/plated center rail almost disappeared by reflecting the gray roadbed & brown ties.

Rob

Papadiesel · February 10, 2007, 10:29pm

Crew,

I have run postwar engines with both on the same line. At a medium to slow speed you can hear and see the engine slow down when it is on the black track. This tells me that the blaco coating has a slightly higher resistance. This causes less current to get to the motor.

"MAKE A GOOD RR DAY!

Roger_Bielen · February 11, 2007, 8:16am

The black center rail was original issue but negative feedback about appearance from the hobby resulted in the change to silver.