Help in wiring signals: Lionel only.

The 151 semaphore will be the easiest one to start with. The center terminal should be wired to your accessory voltage on your transformer.  The left terminal for the lamp wired to the common post on the transformer.  This will light the lamp.  The right terminal on the 151, connect its wire to the insulated rail.  When the train crosses the insulated rail the circuit to the coil on the semaphore will drop the signal from green to red.  When the train clears the insulated rail the signal will go back to green.   The 252 crossing gate + banjo signal are wired in the same fashion.

For the 153 block signal see this link for using a relay.

http://www.toytrainrevue.com/

The relay and the bridge rectifier can be found at radio shack.

Steve

Thank you both Art and Steve. Mike

Here is a basic set up for a relay controlled block signal

I am using a Lionel ZW transformer in this example.

Right click on image - then view image to get a better view

Radio Shack Relay

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049722&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032230

Bridge Rectifier 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062584&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032230

Capacitor  -  The capacitor will stop relay chatter, due to dirty wheels.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103627&filterName=Brand&filterValue=RadioShack

Radio Shack has female connectors in the parts drawers that will fit the contacts on the Relay and bridge rectifier.  Also get some terminal strips, 2 screw and 4 screw

Steve