fastrack wiring newbie

No and yes. Each train needs it's own loop or line. You can make it work, but it requires advanced techniques and careful selection of engines.

Parking a train and changing the train on the mainline can be done.

While there are many resources for conventional wiring techniques, Lionel's videos will give you a basic understanding of what you need to learn about. Then, check the products page for the fastrack products.

Block Control  and wiring

All Product Videos

Fastrack products  check out 6-12060 Block section

 

Using the new LionChief trains eliminates a lot of the wiring issues for beginning railroaders.

Have fun!

 

 

See here: https://ogrforum.com/t...same-track-how-do-i-

and here: https://ogrforum.com/t...ree-rail-innovations

 

A company called 3-rail innovations made a relay board that made the setup easy but they are no longer in business.

At the most basic level, you will need to create isolated track blocks where each train might be stopped. For manual control, use toggle switches to turn on or off each block to control which train gets power.

For automatic control, you will need to create insulated track sections, within your blocks, for detection of train position. Relays are added to the circuit to automatically control which block receives power, alternating from one block to the other.

Thanks, didn't realize there was a Fastrack block piece available. Wondering why Lionel advertises a "passing loop" that doesn't facilitate one train passing another without sophisticated modification or expensive Legacy gear. Lionel folks if you're paying attention- there is a market for a simple track wiring setup to allow two conventional trains to run on one oval and one siding. I can figure it out with the help of fellow hobbyists, but I'd also happily purchase purpose made Lionel products to achieve the same end. Thanks to all.

It is a passing loop by railroad terms. It has many uses the simplest being a station stop off the main line.

It is a step from the starter set that now leads you to explore the other possibilities of it's uses by real railroads and how to accomplish that with the model or toy railroad.

 

Some of Lionel's layout plans had two trains running in opposite directions. The challenge was to operate the switches properly to avoid a collision. That would not require any blocks and only one transformer to play that game with the passing loop.

 

I know, a poor example, but you get the idea. If you have not spent too much on your trains yet, take a look at the LionChief ready-to-run sets in the 2013 catalog. You can run multiple trains by remote with out the blocks like you envisioned. No complex wiring or special tracks needed for that. Well, remote switches would be nicer than manual...

Lionel did listen and developed the LionChief. Legacy at the price of starter conventionals.

 

Nice layout! Checked out your web page.

Wow, Lion Chief sets look pretty awesome. I watched the video you linked. Wish I knew about them a year ago. Guess there will always be new tech coming out. Will have to find a way to work it in as my layout expands. Thanks for sharing. It would also be helpful for Lionel to produce some ready-made kits for creating blocks with toggle switches, manual and remote options, built in. I believe there's a market for that given the large number of conventional locos and and ready to run sets out there.

Lionel has always left these special wiring projects up to the end user.

I remember seeing in an old Lionel book from the '50s(?) that gave instructions on how to run two trains on the same track, with passing sidings, using isolated blocks, insulated sections, and relays.

It was a little bit easier to do using old style tubular track.

I think this is the book that Flash is talking about.

Yup, thats the one I remember. Page 39.

John, What a Gem! Thank you for that reference.

That's something that Lionel should produce in modern form using current equipment.

 

Also, the more old layout plans that I see, the more I realize how well they were thought out. It's tough to beat some of them for excitement and fun.

Garrett, do you have Lionel FASTRACK book.  I found it very useful for plans, wiring block sections and overall use for Fastrack.  We built a 3 separate loop layout with 8 block sections to run our trains in conventional mode.  It was like a bible for us just getting started in the train hobby.  Nick

I'll have to check out the Fastrack book. I have "The Lionel Train Book" by Robert Schleicher and it provides a lot of good concepts and got my mental gears turning. When I saw the "passing loop" fastrack package, my mind immediately jumped to two trains on one track in order for 'passing' to occur. Was having trouble understanding why there's no reference to special wiring required to make that happen. Makes sense to me that block pieces ought to be included as well as wire and toggle switches. Okay, enough beating from me, the horse is dead.