Infrayed device to activate crossing gates and signals

MTH still makes one,

MTH ITAD

 

Not sure why Lionel stopped making theirs, I never had a problem with them

 

Curious about that as well.  I've owned four of them since they came out.  I've never had any issues.

 

I also have a coupe of the MTH ITAD's.  They work okay, but their upwards angle makes them very sensitive to overhead lighting on the layout.   I use them in "dark territory" mostly to prevent false triggering.

 

The Lionel IR's work well with Fastrack.  Just remove the track connector and use the aux power.  Where I want it very close to "see" parallel tracks, I simply notch the roadbed and set the IR device in the notch.

 

I think Z Stuff makes  one.....check with them.

Does using one of these for the fastrack crossing signals require insolated sections as well? Id be curious to use one on my layout

Lionel did not stop making there lionel 153IR. It on backorder and Coulston no you don't need insolated track to use lionel 153IR. You do if you use a relay.   

I have 5 of the Lionel's on my layout and have never had a problem. I was unaware that they stopped making them.

Z-stuff does make a sensor. I haven't used the stand a lone sensor but I have used the sensor that is part of the Z-stuff signals and crossing gates. I have not had any problems with them. I attached a data sheet for the Z-stuff sensor.

I am not sure if they are discontinued or just unavailable. I went looking for some last month and no one had them nor knew when they would be available

They're in the 2014 Signature Edition Catalog.

I cannot imagine them being discontinued since the 153C do not work with FasTrack and not everyone wants to use insulated FasTrack or wants a trigger where insulated track is a pain.

 

That said good luck on finding them, you may want to try some smaller shops where things like these tend to languish

I tried MTH and Lionel.  Both are OK but IMHO The Z stuff stand alone sensor is the best. It is the smallest and most accurate. I recently installed it to operate Lionel crossing gates on our modular layout. I also has control rail capabilities in parallel with the infrared sensor. Good stuff.

Conductor Earl