walt rapp posted:thanks Brian and BobbyD. I believe the 3 of us are thinking alike. I appreciate Brian's comment: "there's a beauty in practical simplicity." That defines me!!!
I hope JohnsTrains checks back in to this thread. I would love to learn how insulated tracks can replace this accuator because the accuator simulates a relay really. There's a NO which keeps the green light on and there's a NC which turns the red light on. I have tried to picture using insulated rails to duplicate those functions but just can't picture a solution.
JohnsTrains, or ANYONE, can you explain how to do it with insulated track sections? I'd appreciate it.
thanks - walt
Hi Walt,
Sure, this is what I did on my PW-style layout for triggering the 153 block signal with an insulated track section. And you are correct. In lieu of the pressure plate contactor I use a DPDT relay. It’s not the one pictured above by GRJ but is one I bought from Azatrax. Very easy to use, no soldering required.
Basically, I use a regular insulated track section to send power to the relay. The relay has out several outputs (NC and NO) that connect to the block signal. Really works well and eliminates what I always considered the “balkiness” of one of those pressure plate devices. Smoothest operation I’ve ever had for the 153.
So, bottom line you’ll need a relay. They are easy to wire up and I can even post a pic of the wiring if that would help.
Edit: I see that while I was typing you have gotten some other good responses. 
