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I have a Fastrack oval on a 6x10 board with 4 sidings to park trains. I plan to only run one engine at a time. Each siding has an uncoupler and a toggle to turn the siding off. I also have several operating tracks. I have a buss line under the board that connects to the track in several places to power my engine.

It all works fine but I'd like convert the turnouts, uncoupling tracks and operating tracks to fixed voltage. I thought I had done it correctly but somethings not right.

Can I use just one transformer to accomplish this? Is it better to use two? I have two transformers - MTH Z1000 & Lionel RS-1.

I've watched videos but I'm hoping someone can answer my questions and point me to some simple wiring diagrams to accomplish my goals.

Sincerely, Rick Somerville 20240106_10585720240106_100352

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Rick, the two transformers will serve your purposes with minimal power.  Upgrade if needed.  Connect the Z1000 to your track.  Use volt meter to be sure the accessory terminal is operating.  Connect the accessory terminal of the SW-1 to the turnouts and uncoupling tracks (use dedicated buss for access).  The turnout and uncoupling tracks wiring diagrams will show how to use power directly from transformer instead of track power.  Be sure transformers are Phased.

Last edited by Susan Deats

I suggest starting with one transformer. Identify 3 posts: common, variable voltage for trains, fixed voltage for switches/uncouplers/operating tracks.

Wire the trains first and verify everything works. Add one track switch at a time using the fixed voltage plugs (assuming Lionel 022 switches). Validate each works before adding another. Once all the switches work, begin adding uncouplers, again one at a time.

The Lionel 2-button controller for uncoupling/operating sections uses track power, not fixed voltage. I wire fixed voltage direct to the uncoupling magnet, controlled by a pushbutton. I do not use the "4th and 5th rail" operating rails, so cannot speak to them.

If you are operating non-track accessories from the same fixed voltage, others have recommended keeping the accessory common separate from the track common except at the transformer.

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