Fastrack Switch Wiring and Operation

John Patrick posted:

I am currently setting up a new layout. Been out of model railroading for quit some time. Bought some new Fastrack switches. I am setting up a somewhat aggressive layout for a beginner with 9 switches. I have engines from the 50's so I will be operating with the old variable speed method. I do plan to wire the switches for constant voltage. Looks like I just need to run one hot wire after removing the jump track on the bottom of the switch to my bus and the outside rail will provide the common ground?YES

Another question is how to control the switches. The switches comes with the attached wire from the switch to the control lever.  In that they come connected how do you hide the wire on the layout. I am afraid to disrupt the wiring. 

You can detach it the controller wires and make your own extensions. Y=controller lights The rest are clearly marked on the switch. Just take note of color and location.

Also is there a better way to operate the switch that eliminate the wire that comes with the switches. As you can see I have a lot to learn as I get back into model railroading. Thank you for your support. This can only be done by manually turning the lantern or using the TMCC/Legacy Command control system and other components.

Thank you us it best to detach wire for the switch or the lever to add the extension.

John Patrick,

   1st welcome back to the worlds greatest hobby and to the OGR.  You are going to see a lot of new advances in our O Gauge Trains, that you are probably going to want to invest in, once you understand what they are.  

IMO FasTrack was a great choice for your new layout.  The FasTrack Command Control Switches are just fantastic, I run FasTrack and many of the FTCC switches all around my Train Room.  I recommend running with the Legacy System, this remote control system also allows you to run conventional Trains also.  

The Great thing about the new Legacy System is it gives you the ability to control your FasTrack Command Control Switches right from the Legacy Hand Held Remote Control, which is one of the greatest modern engineering developments Lionel has ever accomplished IMO.  Further you can go the less expensive route and pick up a used TMCC Cab1 controller that operates the Command Control switches also, I recommend the Legacy Package, because of the Cab2 Hand Held Controller (HHRC) that operates Legacy Engines fully.

There is actually no need to rewire your new Command Control low voltage switches, with Legacy you can run as many as 99 Lionel Command Control low voltage switches right from your Track power, as long as have a good Transformer.  In fact it's how I operate thru out our entire Train Room.  

If you need some advise and education come back to the OGR forum and we will help you with any advise and education you might need.

PCRR/Dave

PCRR Train Room with the Donovan's Reef Bar Top Layout.

I find it much easier to unhook wires from the switch and use 4 wire phone cable and a terminal strip to lengthen the controller wires. The wire colors match. The controllers will all snap together to make a nice looking panel. 

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

John Patrick,

   1st welcome back to the worlds greatest hobby and to the OGR.  You are going to see a lot of new advances in our O Gauge Trains, that you are probably going to want to invest in, once you understand what they are.  

IMO FasTrack was a great choice for your new layout.  The FasTrack Command Control Switches are just fantastic, I run FasTrack and many of the FTCC switches all around my Train Room.  I recommend running with the Legacy System, this remote control system also allows you to run conventional Trains also.  

The Great thing about the new Legacy System is it gives you the ability to control your FasTrack Command Control Switches right from the Legacy Hand Held Remote Control, which is one of the greatest modern engineering developments Lionel has ever accomplished IMO.  Further you can go the less expensive route and pick up a used TMCC Cab1 controller that operates the Command Control switches also, I recommend the Legacy Package, because of the Cab2 Hand Held Controller (HHRC) that operates Legacy Engines fully.

There is actually no need to rewire your new Command Control low voltage switches, with Legacy you can run as many as 99 Lionel Command Control low voltage switches right from your Track power, as long as have a good Transformer.  In fact it's how I operate thru out our entire Train Room.  

If you need some advise and education come back to the OGR forum and we will help you with an advise and education you might need.

PCRR/Dave

PCRR Train Room with the Donovan's Reef Bar Top Layout.

 

 

Thank you for the info. I am sure I will be back on line as I progress.

John, since you will be running conventional, I would recommend going with your plan to power the switches separately from track power. That way you can have a constant voltage from a separate transformer or off a tap on existing transformer.

Ken

John H posted:

I find it much easier to unhook wires from the switch and use 4 wire phone cable and a terminal strip to lengthen the controller wires. The wire colors match. The controllers will all snap together to make a nice looking panel. 

I am looking into the Legacy System based on Dave's response. As a comparison could you by chance provide pictures of you application of the switches wired to your terminal as you described your layout.

I had these fancy rail mounted terminals from an old motor control on the farm. Black wires are Lionel. The others are euro-style terminal strips. On a couple of longer runs I put a two foot piece on the switch with a phone connector crimped on so I could just unplug the switch in case I had to work on it. 

John H,

    Glad you decided to look into the purchase of a Lionel Legacy system, you will not be sorry.  It took me years to add Legacy to my DCS layout, my decision was directly related to the Command Control low voltage switches.

 Although I liked the Legacy engines my DCS P2 Engines worked well, getting rid of the switch wiring for the DCS layout was a major engineering issue with me, MTH needs to develop a similar engineering package, along with a completely rechargable Hand Held Remote Control.  Wireless Remote Control Switches, Simply Great Lionel Engineering.

In the long run IMO having both DCS and Legacy, with some good Transformers is the way to go.

PCRR/Dave