Fastrack passing sidings with relays

hey Last Train,

Welcome to forum. There are few other Aussies that are members of this forum.

OGR Forum member Dale H posts some of his circuits here. JC Studios. You can create outside rail detection tracks by removing the bar under the track that connects the outside rail.

A US company called Azatrax, makes board and relay components.

It depends on the components that you can source locally.

Using Dale H's techniques, you can automate the entire railroad. He does.

Ahhh, down under, it's summertime.

Fortunately, Lionel has two options. Put either section of track at each end of the siding and the rail(s) can be isolated and energized by a relay.

A Block Section (6-12060) is half the length of a straight section. Three wires underneath connect each pair of rails. Remove one wire to isolate the center rail or all three wires to isolate all three rails.

A 1 3/8" straight "extension" [3 ties long] offered with 060 and 072 switches (6102047350) has one wire underneath to connect the center rail. Remove that wire to isolate the center rail.

Wire the center rail  or all 3 rails inside the siding to the relay.

The concepts and techniques haven't changed. Read through this 1954 Lionel Operators manual. It has a multi-train example.

Thanks for the welcome greet and thank you so much Moonman.

That attachment answered much of the questions I had.

If I follow the same basic principles it should work with Fastrack...Right?

Thanks ReadingFan

I'll take that advise and apply it to my test fastrack short layout.

Cheers mate

Yes, it will LTOS.

Just take a piece of FasTrack and disassemble it. Then you will discover how to make the necessary rails for isolation or insulation. here's an example:

Bend the tabs up on the center rail to vertical, end to end. Then if you lift the rail up, you can pull out the connector tab on the ends. You have isolated the center rail. Then push the rail down again by turning it over and pressing on the roadbed and bend the tabs flat again.

You can then solder to the tabs for control wires.

Same for the outside rail. Remove the end connectors and the connection joiner underneath. Isolated outside rail.

Now you have rails and connection points similar to the contactors and pins mentioned in the old school manual.

Dale H's links and schematics can help with the wiring and components that you should be able to source locally.

There are many here on the forum that will assist you.

There are 11 forum members from Australia and 1 from New Zealand. Start a "I am new here G'Day" post or something like that and you'll get a chance to meet them.

Have fun!

Thanks Rob for the link.

Much appreciate it mate.

Cheers

Last Train,

Welcome!

thanks for asking your question.  I have not seen a question asked here where no one knew the answer.  This is THE place to be!

Carl! Thank you! What a reference! Next year the layout gets Lionel Activation track. The year after.... Maybe an Egg Nog car.