Hi there - newbie here. The layout below is for the most part what I have under my tree this year. I would like to run two locomotives on this if possible. I do have two transformers - one CW-80 and the cheaper 40 watt one without the accessory posts.
I’m wondering what the best way to go about putting blocks in this layout would be so that I could have one train wait at the X crossover while the other passes through. Any suggestions are appreciated.
You will probably get more responses on the CTT forum that is focused on Lionel and similar AC-powered trains:
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/95.aspx
I’ll take a stab at it. It depends on which train you want to stop: the one on the inside loop or the one on the outside loop. For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume the through train will always be the one on the outside loop and the train on the inside loop will be the one stopping. So that means the inside loop will be one block, and everything else will be the other block. We’ll also assume that you will run the trains manually, and will not be using relays or some other means to automate this. That would be great, but I’m not familiar enough with those to give ANY advice!
With Fastrack, you need to pull the center pin from the section of track you wish to block. For directions on how to do this, a great resource is the Fastrack Yahoo group. But it’s pretty simple. Just bend back the tabs on the under side of the track and the pin will come loose.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/messages
Pull the center pin on two sections of track - one just inside of the crossover track and the other on the section inside of the turnout. I usually put a small piece of electrical tape where the two center rails meet to insure there’s no conductivity there.
Now when you run power feeds to the two separate blocks (I’m assuming you know how to wire a simple SPST switch) you can flip the power off when the inside train is approaching the crossover.
Hope this helps.