How can I make a Lionel insulated tubular O scale track section

The outside rails of a tubular track section are electrically connected through the ties. In order to make an insulated section, besides the the insulating track pins, you need to remove one of the outer rails and insulate it, by whatever means (I use middle rail fiber insulators from junk track), then re-install it to the crossties. Once you have done that you can use the fiber pins (modern ones are plastic) to create an insulated section.

Pete

Just take out the middle rail, well thats just me hope this helps

LOng before I went with gargraves I use to take the outer rail off and use electrical tape. I made sure iused enough so no metal was touching. Then you just do as many tracks as you want on that one side. Paul

With Lionel traditional tinplate I seem to recall they used to sell sections with one side already insulated. I think I once had some in 027.

Un bend the tabs holding the track. reinstall with a small piece of electrical fishpaper sandwiched in between. Do not use electrical tape or cardboard,it can rip through. Lionel also sells straight sections already made up but they are expensive.

Dale H

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Un bend the tabs holding the track. reinstall with a small piece of electrical fishpaper sandwiched in between. Do not use electrical tape or cardboard,it can rip through...

Please excuse me for pointing this out, but except for "Do not use electrical tape or cardboard,it can rip through," this description is not very clear, to put it mildly.

Pete

Tape or cardboard does not resist the sharpness of the metal when it is crimped back into place. Over time it will break through. The object is to insulate the metal track tie with the metal rail.

Dale H

quote:

Tape or cardboard does not resist the sharpness of the metal when it is crimped back into place. Over time it will break through. The object is to insulate the metal track tie with the metal rail.

Yes. The fishpaper caution was the clear part. "Unbend the tabs holding the track," however, seemed a little vague to me. The fact that someone is even asking the question indicates a need for a more explicit instruction, which is up there in the third posting.

Pete

Nick, what kind of track do you have anyway? Most of us are assuming it's traditional Lionel O Gauge, but there is more than one tubular track out there and some have wood or plastic ties.

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Originally posted by Texas Pete:

quote:

Tape or cardboard does not resist the sharpness of the metal when it is crimped back into place. Over time it will break through. The object is to insulate the metal track tie with the metal rail.

Yes. The fishpaper caution was the clear part. "Unbend the tabs holding the track," however, seemed a little vague to me. The fact that someone is even asking the question indicates a need for a more explicit instruction, which is up there in the third posting.

Pete

By all means, why not add the detail that you deem necessary?

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Originally posted by Ginsaw:
Nick, what kind of track do you have anyway? Most of us are assuming it's traditional Lionel O Gauge, but there is more than one tubular track out there and some have wood or plastic ties.

It is traditional Lionel O gauge, post war.

Nick, I have the same kind of track you do. I would open the tab on the track wide enough so that you can slide the rail out with enough clearance so that you can slide it back in with a couple of layers of black electrical tape to insulate it from the ties, then recrimp the loose tie clamps. It does not need to be real tight. You will know when. 2 layers of tape will work fine and not cut through. I have had mine like this for 5 years and it still works fine.

Do the above with as many lengths as you need.. Don't forget the plastic pins at each end of your insulated section. Have fun doing it.

Oh, and don't take the pranksters too seriously.

Then based on what's been said here, you probably now know what to do. If it were me and money were not a big deal, I'd see if the LHS has some sections already made with the insulated feature. Many shops also have used, older tinplate O Gauge track real cheap or almost free. It doesn't sell well at all and sometimes customers just bring it in and leave it. Search thru the odds and ends boxes and you may find some insulated.

You can also do infra-red train detection devices and skip all this.

And remember, train detection no matter how is only half the issue. You still have to plan for a relay switch.

One of the guys here can I'm certain post a simple diagram for how to wire up a relay switch. The leads go three places, the insulated section, the accessory and the transformer. It's not rocket science but there is a certain amount of learning and work involved.

I've never used an infra-red but I think they come with the relay switch already installed. Otherwise, you can do it yourself with a trip to Radio Shack.

Just let us know how we can help.

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Originally posted by gunrunnerjohn:

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Pete:

quote:

Tape or cardboard does not resist the sharpness of the metal when it is crimped back into place. Over time it will break through. The object is to insulate the metal track tie with the metal rail.

Yes. The fishpaper caution was the clear part. "Unbend the tabs holding the track," however, seemed a little vague to me. The fact that someone is even asking the question indicates a need for a more explicit instruction, which is up there in the third posting.

Pete

By all means, why not add the detail that you deem necessary?

Already did. Why not check it out?

Pete

I guess I've been lucky on my 30 or 40 home-made insulated tubular tracks that I put together. Or maybe it's because I only have a Christmas layout and don't submit those tracks to year-round stress.

But I've always used cardboard. I use the cardboard from the back of note pads - it seems thick enough and it's worked for me (knock on wood with fingers crossed )

- walt

OK so here is my question. I am running the o27 tubular track and I have a few sidings where I can't see the end of the track well. I am going to put an led light at the end of the track and want to use a small price of track and insulate it so it will light the led when it hits that section. Now where I am stumped at is of I have a freight car on the end that makes no contact with the center rail only the outside 2 how will it activate my light? 

Connect your light bulb between the center rail and the insulated outer rail.  When your freight car gets to this piece of track power will travel through the wheels and axles from the uninsulated outside rail to the insulated outside rail completing the circuit and turning the light on.

OK that's what I wondered was how I would close the circuit if I am not making contact with center rail but that explained it. Thanks

Not sure if still available or not but when i was making mine since i needed some insulated curves i searched eBay for fish paper. There was one seller in Canada. Had quite a supply. I got to choose the thickness Still have a couple sheets of it here someplace.

Are you serious?

Probably a frustrated 2-railer.