stan2004 posted:If cost is an issue as I gather from your comment, note that you can make your own activator track section starting from a "standard" piece of Fastrack. So this would be even less expensive out-of-pocket. There have been OGR threads on this. Here's a well-done video (not mine) showing you what's involved.
OTOH, I see you specify the more recent "plug-expand-play" version of the activator track.
So for $3 more (MSRP) you buy into Lionel's plug-expand-play "system" which can simplify connections to accessories also equipped with the connectors. Not all accessories come equipped with the special plugs so Lionel sells various wiring adapters. Again, if cost is an issue, and you have basic wiring/assembly skills, I'd go with the original (shown on left) activator track.
There are considerations in choosing between the two methods which I think would be best explored if you share a bit more about exactly what you're trying to do and which accessories you have. If you want to activate the crossing accessories coming from either direction, you'd need qty 2 of the 153IR which can get spendy. If you have 2 (or more) parallel tracks at the crossing you might find a 153IR is not sensitive enough to trigger on the more distant track(s). And so on.
And by the way, they (153IR) ARE Sensitive enough for Parallel (doublemainline) Tracks!!
Fredstrains
