Contactor alternative

Happy Thanksgiving.

You can use it to activate things like signals, the gateman, crossing gate, the 445 switchtower, etc.   Essentially, any accessory that you would operate with a push button.  Wire the accessory as per the instructions but use a wire from your insulated section for the ground connection.  Any train with metal wheels and axles will trigger the action.

@Danr posted:

Happy Thanksgiving.

You can use it to activate things like signals, the gateman, crossing gate, the 445 switchtower, etc.   Essentially, any accessory that you would operate with a push button.  Wire the accessory as per the instructions but use a wire from your insulated section for the ground connection.  Any train with metal wheels and axles will trigger the action.

Thank you Sir. I have figured, from looking at the drawings in the books, that should work . I guess the signal bridge and block signals are the ones giving me some pause. I will work thru it and as I run into road blocks I will ask more questions. Thanks again !

Happy Thanksgiving

The insulated rails work well with the gateman, crossing signal and semaphore but I have found using the Lionel infrared controller works best with the signal bridge.

Here is the basic diagram for using the insulated rail to provide track power and switched common/ground to the triggered accessory. To use fixed voltage, disconnect the wire from lockon clip 1 and connect to your selected accessory voltage post on your transformer.

The Bob Nelson method for two-light signals using an extra bulb is fairly straight forward except for the signal bridge which requires isolating the heads from the bridge so the common is not shared between the heads.  

An alternative method for two-light signals is to use a relay with SPDT contacts(triggered by the track in the above diagram) and discussed in THIS THREAD and HERE.

For the 153 block signal, I have used a simple relay on my layout for years. I use an insulated track section to trigger the relay. Excellent and smooth operation to turn off one light and then turn on the other.

And, yes, ditch those old contactors. Ugh.

@Bill Makel posted:

The insulated rails work well with the gateman, crossing signal and semaphore but I have found using the Lionel infrared controller works best with the signal bridge.

Hi Bill thanks. Does the Ir controller work with tubular.

@ADCX Rob posted:

Here is the basic diagram for using the insulated rail to provide track power and switched common/ground to the triggered accessory. To use fixed voltage, disconnect the wire from lockon clip 1 and connect to your selected accessory voltage post on your transformer.

The Bob Nelson method for two-light signals using an extra bulb is fairly straight forward except for the signal bridge which requires isolating the heads from the bridge so the common is not shared between the heads.  

An alternative method for two-light signals is to use a relay with SPDT contacts(triggered by the track in the above diagram) and discussed in THIS THREAD and HERE.

Thanks Rob. Even in the discussions I've read it talks about relays. Is there a specific one i should find at say all electronics supply?

@johnstrains posted:

For the 153 block signal, I have used a simple relay on my layout for years. I use an insulated track section to trigger the relay. Excellent and smooth operation to turn off one light and then turn on the other.

And, yes, ditch those old contactors. Ugh.

Thank you john. Is there a specific  relay?

@ADCX Rob posted:

Here is the basic diagram for using the insulated rail to provide track power and switched common/ground to the triggered accessory. To use fixed voltage, disconnect the wire from lockon clip 1 and connect to your selected accessory voltage post on your transformer.

The Bob Nelson method for two-light signals using an extra bulb is fairly straight forward except for the signal bridge which requires isolating the heads from the bridge so the common is not shared between the heads.  

An alternative method for two-light signals is to use a relay with SPDT contacts(triggered by the track in the above diagram) and discussed in THIS THREAD and HERE.

Rob. Thanks for the links to the other discussion. I bookmarked them. I m sure I will have more questions

For signals, you can use something like this.  Insulated Track Signal Driver, Rev. 2.  It will allow you to power the signal with and without a train on the insulated power track section.

@ROB O GAUGE KID posted:

Thank you john. Is there a specific  relay?

Rob,

The relay I use is from Azatrax. I just happened to have one so I wired it up for my block signal. There are plenty of choices for relays out there, including lower cost than this one (which I think was 20 bucks).

Check out their website as it has some good information.

http://www.azatrax.com/

Smooth operation as the train hits the insulated track piece.

@johnstrains posted:

Rob,

The relay I use is from Azatrax. I just happened to have one so I wired it up for my block signal. There are plenty of choices for relays out there, including lower cost than this one (which I think was 20 bucks).

Check out their website as it has some good information.

http://www.azatrax.com/

Thank you again john