Stop/Start Section of Passing Siding

@Bob W / cprail posted:

…I'd love to have the CTT Electrical Forum's members advise me on how to do this…

You may want to double check where you’ve posted this.

The Dallee product line will give you that capability.  They have several modules with timers. Use one isolated track for train detection. The module relay then turns on or off power to another section for a timed interval.

https://www.dallee.com/Trak-DT...cupancy-Detector-565

Lionel made an accessory, the #115 City Station, that was a stop start station. The locomotive remained in forward mode and, while keeping the transformer power on, the train would enter a block of track with fiber pins in the middle rail at each end, and the train would stop for a minute or so, then start up again.

Here is a photo of the Lionel #115 City Station on my layout:

Arnold

Arnold,

Just to confirm, the fiber insulating pins were on the middle power rail, not either of the side rails?

Bob

Just to confirm, the fiber insulating pins were on the middle power rail, not either of the side rails?

Well, usually. Later prewar 115 stations, block signals, the 132 postwar version, etc. place the nichrome heater in series with the locomotive motor (and any other load in the block) to heat the bimetallic strip, which breaks the isolated middle rail. It is briefly discussed here.
However, earlier 115 prewar thermostatic switches use a directly heated bimetallic strip. This earlier style requires one "outside" rail to be insulated to act as a direct switch for the nichrome heater in the usual manner.  Its wiring is discussed here.
Note that the E-unit must be locked-out for either version.

@Bob W / cprail posted:

Arnold,

Just to confirm, the fiber insulating pins were on the middle power rail, not either of the side rails?

Bob

Middle rail

Thanks for the explanation, Uberstationmeister, and the links to other posts. Thanks too for confirming, Arnold.

Bob

Are you using conventional locomotives with a Mechanical or an Electronic E-Unit? Or are you using command control equipment? It  may not be possible with some Electronic reversing boards.