When Lionel introduced its new FasTrack system in 2004, model train enthusiasts quickly warmed to the increased realism—right down to the integrated roadbed and darkened center rail—and the greater ease of use. In this book, the author of The Big Book of Lionel presents the first complete guide to the FasTrack system. Amply illustrated with color photographs and 36 track diagrams, the book instructs readers on every aspect of the system, from assembling and disassembling FasTrack to building a simply oval, planning a layout within various space constraints, building tracks for two trains and reversing trains, and designing unique layouts—even yard layouts.

As model railroaders began demanding ever-greater realism, Lionel responded in 2004 with its FasTrack system featuring an integrated roadbed, scale-sized ties, and a less-obvious center rail. Veteran hobby author Bob Schleicher follows up his The Lionel FasTrack Book with a closer, more detailed look at Lionel’s revolutionary O-gauge system. This guide gives enthusiasts a deeper sense of how to take advantage of the FasTrack’s ease of use and unprecedented realism in large-scale model railroading. The book includes 150 color photos and track diagrams for 10 scenicked FasTrack layouts ranging from 6x6-foot tabletop models to an 11x30-foot scale-size empire. Schleicher also provides instructions for building tables to support the layouts, advice for creating both rural and urban scenery, and an appendix of recommended suppliers.

Covers the essential techniques needed to make electrical connections for a three-rail toy train layout of any size or complexity. Addresses fundamental electrical concepts, wiring and expanding a layout, accessory wiring, automatic train control, and troubleshooting. By Peter Riddle.

This invaluable book is essential reading for all railway modellers, whatever their level of expertise. The author provides an overall understanding of the purpose of making buildings for a model railway and covers their construction, their positioning and how to light them. Topics covered include: Railway and non-railway model buildings, explaining how the latter can also enhance your trains. Modelling attitudes, the use of scale, levels of detail and both regional vernacular and railway architecture. Ready-made buildings that you can buy and demonstrates how you can adapt them to your own particular purposes. Different materials available for building structures and ways of choosing, finding, measuring and recording suitable prototypes. Step by step construction of a cardboard building kit to illustrate the use of basic modelling tools and to explain essential procedures and techniques. Using and modifying 'out-of-the-box' model buildings and explores the subtleties of making model railway buildings from scratch without the use of a kit, or anything more than hand-tools and a few sheets of suitable material. Guidance on the appropriate use of texture and colour, and shows how walls, doors, windows, roofs and chimneys can be created, painted, detailed and finished off. Many aspects of lighting, including external lighting, such as street and platform lights, and the internal lighting of buildings, the problems they pose and how they can be resolved.

Text and photographs present a history of toy trains.

When Lionel introduced its new FasTrack system in 2004, model train enthusiasts quickly warmed to the increased realism—right down to the integrated roadbed and darkened center rail—and the greater ease of use. In this book, the author of The Big Book of Lionel presents the first complete guide to the FasTrack system. Amply illustrated with color photographs and 36 track diagrams, the book instructs readers on every aspect of the system, from assembling and disassembling FasTrack to building a simply oval, planning a layout within various space constraints, building tracks for two trains and reversing trains, and designing unique layouts—even yard layouts.

Updated edition: The classic one-stop treasury, loaded with photos and practical advice for Lionel® train enthusiasts! Lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as FasTrack and the Legacy control system. Now author and hobby veteran Bob Schleicher updates his classic one-stop, hands-on treasury of practical advice for Lionel enthusiasts to include products such as FasTrack and Legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original publication in 2004. This volume also features: an overview of Lionel product development more than thirty track plans for the floor and tabletop advice on building scenery and structures wiring and track how-to help in choosing steam or diesel locomotives and freight or passenger operations maintenance and restoration tips and techniques operations that best emulate those of prototype railroads

FasTrack is the leading track choice for Lionel train operators, and its track plans are in high demand. Featuring 25 mostly small and mid-sized plans designed specifically for FasTrack, this collection is gathered from the pages of Classic Toy Trains magazine and also includes several new plans, a brief overview of FasTrack, and track-planning tips.