After receiving requests for a more detailed step-by-step process on how to modify Lionel's Sensor Track for other track systems I did another one tonight. My layout uses GarGraves and Ross Custom Switches. Similar systems should be able to be adapted, but in my case I only had Ross and Gargraves to work with.
1. I used a standard piece of Ross Custom Switches straight track because it has a flat profile on the bottom of the rail. GarGraves rail has a ribbon that would need to be trimmed off.
Pictured below is the Sensor Track as it comes from Lionel and the donor piece of Ross straight track:
2. Turn the Sensor Track over and locate the 4 screws that hold the protective cover over the electronics.
3. Remove the screws and then remove the plastic cover exposing the electronics.
4. Notice that the rails are held in place by small tabs. Carefully bend these tabs until they are upright and straight for all 3 rails and on both ends of the Sensor Track. Be careful not to damage the electronics.
5. Now turn over the Sensor Track and gently pry up the rails from the base. Again take your time. I used a small screwdriver to insert into the rails and slowly pry them up.
6. With the rails removed you have small plastic tabs that need to be shaved off so the modified Ross track will sit flush with the top of the Sensor Track roadbed.
7. Next step is to remove those plastic tabs. I use a dremel with a cutoff wheel. Clamp the Sensor Track base down and then carefully trim those tabs off so there is nothing above the roadbed level on the base. Take your time and keep the dremel tool on a medium to low speed. Be sure to stay away from the places that have exposed sensors and led so as not to damage them.
8. Here is the finished version with all the tabs now removed. Clean up any rough spots with the dremel or a small file. Remember to be careful of the exposed sensors and led.
9. Turn the Sensor Track over and reattach the base and also prep the donor track. In my situation I simply removed enough ties for the Sensor Track to fit.
10. Remove some of the cork roadbed and fit the Sensor Track base into the opening and connect the wire to the bottom of the Sensor Track base.
11. Now lay the donor track over the Sensor Track base and reattach it to the layout. The height of the Sensor Track base and the cork are almost identical so transitioning isn't a problem.
Again, this won't work for every track system but it should give everyone some ideas on how to incorporate Lionel's Sensor Track into their layouts without needing transition pieces to and from the FasTrack. Take your time and you should have good results.
Maybe we can get Lionel to make a Sensor Track section minus the rails and tabs.
