ACTIVATION OF ACCESSORIES

Nope!

But you might be able to solder to the top or inside the tube of the cut rails. Routing the wires could be tricky.

The outer rails are connected,unless you removed the bars underneath before you put track down. Then you're down to an ITAD. 

Hi John,  Yes the bars are removed from all my tracks, so they are all insulated sections.  Not sure what you mean by ITAD.   From another Upstate NY

Good move on removing the bars. ITAD is infrared track activation device. More expensive. Search for making your own ITAD. We had a pretty extensive thread on it. 

You would be on your back and need above average dexterity.  But can you drill a hole from under the layout into the cavity of the track section?  The ~1/4" cavity depth of FT provides margin so you do not drill into the track itself.  The idea would be to drill right toward one of the bent-clips of the insulated rail - strong Nd magnets could be used to line-up where to drill.

If you now have a hole giving access to the bottom of a bent-tab, then a spring-loaded contact, for example a so-called "pogo pin," could press against the bent tab for electrical access.

Hi John,  Thank you for the information.  I will look into building an ITAD.  The commercial ones are to expensive.  Hope you are enjoying our beautiful NYS foliage changes. 

tad

John H posted:

Good move on removing the bars. ITAD is infrared track activation device. More expensive. Search for making your own ITAD. We had a pretty extensive thread on it. 

THANK YOU JOHN,   I AM LOOKING AT POSTS ABOUT ITADS.   HOWEVER, CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY ARTICLES ON BUILDING YOUR OWN THAT PERHAPS HAVE ACTUAL PLANS FOR DOING SO.  JUST AN ASIDE,  I SPENT MANY YEARS OF MY GROWING UP TIME ON MY UNCLE'S DAIRY FARM.  I BET IT IS STILL HARD WORK.  REGARDS, CLARKE

I was also thinking along the same lines about ITADs.  Although I will be using traditional tubular track and know how to activate trackside accessories using an insulated outside rail, I would like to investigate infra-red devices.  The MTH ITAD is too expensive for my wallet.  I might check out some electronic suppliers like Allelectronics.com.  

Anyone have any thoughts ?

Well, I just finished an old school approach with my Halloween layout. Insulate  one section of outside rail and drop a wire from there and the hot section.  I am using mth sectional track. I did just what you said, soldered a wire to the inside of the track near the base.  To route the wires I just made sure the wires were soldered near one of the track screw openings and feed the wires down through screw holes.

 The Itad, which I have never worked with, is probably a better solution. When using the outside rail you do end up with sparks at the wheels due to the current traveling through the axles.

Two #18 wires fit through the screw hole with ease.

jhz563 posted:

 The Itad, which I have never worked with, is probably a better solution. When using the outside rail you do end up with sparks at the wheels due to the current traveling through the axles.

How to eliminate the sparking and also any chatter as you enter and exit the insulated rail section.

 Insulated Track Signal Driver

John, are those available in the store ?

Yep, they sure are.  If they happen to be out, I can fix that.