Fastrack Stop Section

You want the Lionel O 6-12060 FasTrack 5" Block Sections.

Because FasTrack sections must be partially disassembled to remove pins, Lionel avoided that issue by making the isolation point(s) in the middle of the section.  Pulling the wire(s) as desired under the section is equivalent to pulling pins on tubular track to make a block.  The wiring is the same(with the wire off, you have to power each side of the gap independently, typically through a toggle switch or switches though Lionel shows separate power supplies below) or leave that section isolated for accessory control or stop sections.

Thanks Rob,

Based on your info it seems I will need 2 of these, and that they work in pairs. I want to make a stop section of about 15 inches isolating the outer rails to stop a 4 car train. Am I correct I could place a regular 10 inch straight Fastrack with no modification between the 2 block sections? 

Thanks again,

Dennis

That is correct, the distance between can be as long as you like by extending with regular FasTrack sections.

However, I did notice in your OP what you want to do with this set-up. It will be challenging to get a train to stop in your section because the gaps will be bridged by every axle set entering the block, re-energizing that section, and it will be exacerbated by rolling stock with die cast and / or metal trucks & couplers when the current is passed through the couplers.

The custom is to insulate the center rail, which of course will require an external relay or switch(like the stop stations and signals with the thermostatic contacts). Your method has been met with only mediocre success, but might be worth a try if trying to alternate trains on a loop w/o relays, which is where most of these efforts are headed. A single relay and insulated center rail works so much better.

You can also just attack the center rail with a Dremel cutoff wheel and get the same effect if you don't want to adjust the track plan to accommodate the extra little pieces.

This is the layout I want to make. Rob I do not understand how to do this with relays or isolating the center rail. If I remember correctly, isolating the outside rails was the way some layouts in the Lionel manuals of the do's did it. Thanks Dennis

Your trains are going to coast right through your stop blocks. The Lionel manuals always used isolated center rails, and used 153c contactors, and usually included a section on using relays as an upgrade to to the contactors.

Here is an example:

And here is the starting point using the 153c contactors

Dennis: Your plan will work although it will be tricky with timing, length of trains and track sections. Also, it will work better for engines of similar types and operating characteristics.

This diagram shows what you'll need to do for the special block sections of track:

Good luck!