Consolidated Leo posted:This is a very old idea. This page from a 1954 Lionel booklet illustrates just such a system using isolated blocks to control more than one train on the same loop of track. I remember trying this method when I was a kid in the 60's.
You can find this Lionel booklet among the Electrical reference material thread near the top of the Electrical Forum. Look for a post from Susan Deats and find the file in the attachments section.
- I found that booklet.
- Susan Deats on 6/29/13 posted this 1954 Lionel booklet titled "How to Operate Lionel Trains and Accessories".
- This booklet is in the O Gauge Forum at ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/15649413467022743/filePointer/18746737983860662/fodoid/18746737983860657/Booklet.pdf .
- It's 55 pages, file size 19.8 MB.
- Page 39 is the page titled "Automatic Control of Trains" that describes the insulated-rail method.
FYI:
- As you mentioned, Susan's post for this is dated 6/29/13, in a post in the ELECTRICAL REFERENCE MATERIALS & MANUALS" thread ( ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/electrical-reference-materials-andamp-manuals?reply=18746737983860659#18746737983860659  which is the last thread listed under "Featured Topics" in the "Electrical Forum"
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WARNING:
- Susan made a earlier post dated 7/31/12 titled "Dad's saved booklets with postwar trains".
- She links to a copy that she has posted on her own website at slsprr.net/history/1954LionelTrainsAccess.pdf .
- But this version is a LOWER QUALITY copy. Its size is only 4.4 MB .