lionel fastrack 5" block

It is presumed that you wish to make an isolated block for a dead end siding. The block track goes anywhere you want to start the block. To power the block, one wire from the switch goes to the transformer track power terminal that goes to the center rail of your layout, and the other wire goes to the isolated center rail of the block track where you removed the wire. Transformer power is applied to, and removed from the block through the switch.

If you are creating a block such as is shown in the block track instructions, then you need 2 block tracks. Wiring depends on exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

Larry

Thanks Larry, Yes I am trying to do a block for a dead end siding,  to end with a bumper. So the toggle switch middle prong is the red wire and that goes to transformer back or to center rail of any track and black wire from end toggle prong goes to block center rail  which has 2 connections so one of those connections is not used

You would use that to control power in a section of track including the block piece and all track after it.

You determine it's placement based upon your operational plan.

You all only need a SPST switch, On\Off or half of the SPDT. One side to the one terminal on the center rail, where you removed the wire and the other side or center terminal of the SPDT switch to the other terminal on the center rail.

The switch completes the connection across the cut in the rail in the on position and removes power in the off or center position(SPDT). tape the other pole so it doesn't accidently short if you move the switch it that direction.

Also discussed and some diagrams here.

Thanks guys  But do I need power from the transformer to the switch.  I tried running wire of middle prong to one side of the center of block track and the other prong wire to the center of the other side of block with the switch in the on and the train goes over the block section it stops and train shuts off when I put the switch in the off position train is still dead.  What am I doing or not doing right ? I feel like an idiot here

It sounds like you may have the switch wired incorrectly. Wire the switch directly to the transformer and the block track as suggested in my previous post. The switch should turn the power in the block on and off. Make sure you are using the proper terminals on the switch itself also.

Larry

Did you change anything on the switch or is it out of the box? Out of the box, it is powered with track power. The block should attach to the turnout or after it.

The thru route will provide switch power.

Thats exactly how I have it wired yet the train stops over the block and shuts down,when I turn the switch on train is still dead.  Could It be that I have one of the toggle prongs hooked up wrong.  I have red wire from middle prong and black wire left of it should I switch black wire to other side of it would that make a difference with toggle switch ?  I want to than you for your help on this you too Larry.  Larry suggested hooking switch to transformer.  Thanks for your help gentlemen on this

Please note in the diagram that both wires are RED. It's the center rail, HOT or A that is being switched. The black, common, U or outside rail has nothing to with this.

You are connected to the switch properly, but the wires are connected to the wrong rails. Well, I should say location of the connection. The color of the wire is for easy reference. The switch wires replace each end of the center rail jumper in this application.

The diagram in the track piece manual is confusing you. They are creating power divisions for separate transformers.  

You want to use the track as power block disconnect. Again, you are only concerned with the two center rail terminals. No need to connect the switch to the transformer.

Have you tried to toggle the switch in both directions? If you still have problems, I would suggest you replace the switch with a SPST switch, this way there is only one way to wire it.

The only other possible problem is that the switch is wired to the wrong terminal on the block track center rail where you removed the wire. Look at page 2 of the instructions. I believe the switch should be connected to the terminal at the far left end of the wire that is being held in the pliers.

Larry

Ok  Finally got it to work!  I switched the wires around on block and it worked fine  Thanks again Larry and Moonman for the help! I am sure I will be back with more questions in the future THANKS AGAIN

That is good news! Enjoy your trains.

Larry

Glad it all worked out! Have some fun running the trains.

Don't forget to put some tape around the unused post on the switch. You don't want a short if you accidently throw it to that side. Get a SPST switch to be safe.