Lionel fast track crossing kit bashing.

It's too loud with 18 vac when used in the stock configuration.

     CJACK what do you think of the sound quality? As for loudness the more the better for me because this crossing is in the center of the layout 7ft from one side and 10ft from the other side. Choo Choo Kenny

Well it's just a bell and I find it clear sounding. Too loud has to be said along with a train standing on it for a long time. On my small layout, 12 by 14 feet, I put a dab of tape over the speaker holes and it sounds good to me.

     CJACK thanks for the reply I am starting too get the control panel ready for mounting under the layout on the drawer slides. I just have to put a few more coats of white paint on it and mount the drawer slides.  I guess it is time to get the power supplies and transformers out of storage and start testing things with full power and see how they really work. I may see if I can put a volume control on the speaker for controlling the sound for the bell. Again thanks for the help and take care. Choo Choo Kenny

I understand what you want to do if you have the Crossing. If you don't already have it, why not use the MTH version of the crossing signals with sound? No bashing and cheaper. Also you could ad a volume pot to the speaker on either set of signals.

     MARTY W. I already have 2 of the Lionel fast track RR crossings that I bought of flebay. I already tore one apart and tested the electronics on a 9V battery and the sound was not that loud and I did not like the quality of the sound. After CJACK'S comment on the volume I went to Radio Shack on Thursday and got 2 volume controls. I will be mounting the volume control switches on the control panel to get the volume to an acceptable level. I am going to build 2 track side sheds and paint them silver and they will house the electronics and speakers. Probably next week I am going to dig out the power supplies and transformers so I can start checking out different things I have bought to see if they work at full operating power. Thanks for the advice on the MTH units who knows I may not like the Lionel ones and may get the MTH ones any way. Take care Choo Choo Kenny

Sounds good, let me know how the final result works out. I have several Fastrak crossings myself. The only thing I don't like is that they work loose over time the way they are originally set in the contact hole. How did you get around this? Or are you using the contact jacks at all? That's why I prefer the MTH units in the future. However, I also use Fastrak, so my units are original and work pretty well. as far as the sound......I don't use it much. It gets old really fast.

I really like the fast track signals. I simply mount the entire section of track under the table and wire to variable voltage after removing the signals and extending the wires. The signal and sounds are trigger by an insulated rail.

Excellent work AUBV! I was wondering how the plugs for the crossbucks were wired to the plug in..........whilst all the time, I didn't realize the wires were extended from the base back to the track, hence using the base, and the crossbucks, the same as if you were leaving it original. My bad!

I wonder if anyone has done the like with the Fastrak gates?

     MARTY W. I was not aware of the crossings coming out of the jacks. The one I have taken apart I could not pull the crossings out of the base / jack and I figured it was glued in place. I had contacted Lionel about replacements and at the time they were not available but now they are. I figured when the lights burned out in them I would try to get them apart with pliers. Thanks for the information.          AUBV I am doing just about the same thing as you but I'm putting the electronics and speaker in a scratch built track side shed that I'm painting silver. Thanks for the information and input everyone and take care. Choo Choo Kenny

On all the Fastrak Crossings I've seen, They have a jack. I'm not sure of the size, or name, but It's about half the size of the stereo jack size you would use on your smartphone and or for programming a TIU. I've never seen any Crossing flashers wired from Lionel any different than using the plug in jack. That's what makes the way AUBV has his look so great!

Thought I would post these as I did another set yesterday.