Wiring fastrack switch for dwarf signal

Not being familiar with a Fastrack switch I'll pass on the first question. On the Fastrack to Gargraves conversion; you may want to try what I did with EZ Streets to Gargraves. I adjusted the height to level the rail heads and used a simple butt method. I insulated all three tracks and ran power leads around the separation. It works fine with the EZ Streets; I think that you would have similar success.

I think you can just wire the leads to the switch and the position of the point rails on the switch should change the colors on the signal. At least I think. 

dbhone posted:

Do I still need to use a relay for a 148 dwarf signal with a fastrack switch like I do with Ross?  Also, anyone make their

own transition fastrack to mate with gar graves track?

Thanks, Dan

First the track - I am guessing that you want to mate GG with the FT switch. You can remove the FT pins and then clearance the space with a 7/64" drill bit. Then, use the GG to Lionel O joiner pins. (see steps 4,5 & 6 in attached)

The dwarf signal would be easiest doing it the way you know.

I was also thinking if it would be possible to rob the driver board and leds from the FasTrack controller and put that in the dwarf housing. Then, use the yellow wire from the switch (+5vDC & -5vDC).

No need to hack up a FasTrack controller.

Why not just use two new LED's , red and green, with some small current limiting resistors of 150 ohms?  You can wire them directly to the signal (yellow) wire and common and you have your lights.  The LED's will be connected in reverse polarity in parallel, and the resistor in series to the yellow wire, the other end of the LED's to the ground wire.

Thanks for the replies guys.  I see where Atlas O, MTH realtrax and Ross have built in relays or control boards for wiring a dwarf available, but not Lionel (unless I have missed something!).  I guess Lionel thinks the little switch lantern is sufficient.

I really like the dwarfs and will try something like what you guys have suggested.

With the stock bulbs, you'll need an interface of some type to convert the signal.  My choice would be one of the simple eBay relay modules with a buffered logic input.  Use that to switch the 12V for the bulbs.  Your signal source is the indicator wire from the Fastrack switch.