Background - longtime Lionel guy and pretty good with electricity.
Problem - I don’t want to use the little plastic pushbutton switches that Lionel provides. I want to wire these to switches on my control panel. In the past, I always used the Lionel pushbuttons, so this is new for me.
So, I started with some YouTube research and with heavy usage of my multimeter.
TEST 1 - TEST OUTPUT OF LIONEL SWITCHES
I have one section of operating track WITH Lionel’s pushbutton switch attached, so I can measure the voltage in addition to visualize what happens when the buttons are pushed.
With only track power connected, the left button energized both the electromagnet (visually observed), AND the activation rails to the left side of the electromagnet (18V output measured from activation rails), only. (Odd that it doesn’t power the right side activation rails???)
The right button activated only the right side activation rails.
TEST 2 - IDENTIFY TERMINALS AND ATTEMPT TO TEST REMOTE SWITCHING
With NOTHING attached to the operating track’s terminals, and only track power in use, I observed the following screw terminal mapping:
#1 - common - why is this needed when the track is always connected to the common via adjacent track sections? This terminal, connected to my multimeter, completed the loop with terminal #3, and measured 18v. This means that #1 and #3 are always hot when the track is hot. So, if #3 is always connected to the track’s hot connection, and if you were to connect terminal #3 to an auxiliary output terminal on your transformer, wouldn’t you be constantly feeding that auxiliary voltage back to the track?
#2 - supply 18v auxiliary voltage here to activate the electromagnet AND the left-side activator rails.
#4 - supply 18v auxiliary voltage here to activate the right-side activator rails.
Yes, I have seen the video about detaching the internal runner that connects the electromagnet function with the activation rails, but that won’t connect left and right together.
My questions:
Do I have this right?
What remote switch configuration would you suggest?
Thanks for replying, Bill. I am using tubular. Totally. (Sorry, 80’s joke).
I am thinking of just following the instructions in the Lionel video on removing the jumper, so that the solenoid and the activation track are separated, and then joining the #4 and #2 so that both left and right activation track is active at the same time.
What I can’t figure out, however, is how to wire the auxiliary power so that I have constant voltage to the operating track without back-feeding that constant power back to the track, since #3 is hot seemingly at all times from the track power. So, if the track power is turned off, and the aux. power is connected to terminal #3, won’t the track be hot, too?
Unfortunately I’m out of the country for a couple of more weeks, so I can’t check mine.
Just so I have this right: you want to supply transformer power to the operating track directly, AND use toggle switches to control it?
As I recall from the Fastrack, you cut the wire that supplies power to the activation track from the track power (you can actually see the wires with Fastrack) and run power from the transformer through a pair of toggle switches (one for uncoupling , the other for operating). I used the Lionel 4 wire supplied. I hope this helps but I’m afraid it doesn’t?
By the way, switching to Fastrack was “life changing” for my Lionel layout. So much so that with my new HO, I chose to use Kato Unitrack.
Yes, that’s the plan. I have center-off momentary contact switches, so I expected to throw them one way for the electromagnet, and they other way for the activation track. Cutting a wire makes sense, if I can find the details.
I’ll probably catch some flavk for this: Using Duck duck go’s AI “search assist “ I found answers on how to wire the operating track to your transformer, and then asked how to replace the Lionel push buttons with toggle switches.
In the past couple of weeks I’ve been using it a lot…. Just don’t completely trust it. It thinks I have a PhD in Molecular Genetics…
To wire a Lionel operating track to a transformer, connect the track’s power leads to the appropriate terminals on the transformer, ensuring that the accessory power is used for the operating track rather than the track power. This setup allows the track to function independently, enabling better control of accessories like log or milk cars. Trains WordPress
Wiring a Lionel Operating Track to a Transformer
Power Supply Options
When wiring a Lionel operating track, you can choose between two main power supply methods:
Track Power: This method uses the power from the track itself. It is suitable for basic setups but can complicate operations with accessories.
Accessory Power: This method connects the operating track directly to an accessory power supply, allowing for independent control of the track and accessories.
Wiring Steps for Accessory Power
Disconnect Existing Wires: Remove any existing connections from the track to the transformer.
Prepare the Track: Isolate the operating mechanism from the track power. This involves cutting and soldering new wires to connect the operating track to the accessory power.
Connect Wires:
Connect one wire from the uncoupling magnet to the accessory power supply.
Connect the other wires to the accessory activation rails as needed.
Final Connections: Ensure that the connections are secure and insulated to prevent short circuits.
Recommended Wire Sizes
Use No. 16 stranded wire for the bus and No. 18 wire for feeders.
For low-amp accessories, No. 20 or 22 wire is suitable.
Troubleshooting Tips
If the track does not activate, check the connections and ensure that the transformer is set correctly.
Verify that the transformer is functioning properly and that the correct posts are used for power and ground connections.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively wire your Lionel operating track to a transformer for optimal performance.
To wire a Lionel operating track to toggle switches, you typically need to connect the track’s power wires to the toggle switch, ensuring that the switch can control the power to the track. Use a momentary contact switch to activate the track when needed, following the specific wiring diagram for your track model. Trains WordPress
Wiring Lionel Operating Track to Toggle Switches
Overview
Wiring a Lionel operating track to toggle switches allows for better control over accessories like milk cars or uncoupling tracks. This setup can enhance your model railroad experience by providing a more reliable and straightforward operation.
Required Materials
Toggle switches (momentary or SPDT)
Wires (suitable gauge for your setup)
Soldering tools (if necessary)
Heat shrink tubing or electrical tape
Wiring Steps
Identify Connections
Each Lionel operating track typically has four wires: two for power and two for activation.
Connect Toggle Switches
Use a momentary contact toggle switch for activating the track.
Connect the center terminal of the toggle switch to the power source (usually 15V from the transformer).
Wire the Operating Track
Connect one side of the toggle switch to the activation wire for the uncoupling mechanism.
Connect the other side to the activation wire for any additional accessories.
Common Ground
Ensure that the common ground (usually black wire) from the operating track is connected to the transformer’s base post.
Example Wiring Table
COMPONENT
CONNECTION POINT
Toggle Switch Center
15V from Transformer
Toggle Switch Side 1
Uncoupling Mechanism Wire
Toggle Switch Side 2
Additional Accessory Wire
Operating Track Common Ground
Transformer Base Post
Final Checks
After wiring, test the toggle switches to ensure they activate the track and accessories correctly.
Make sure all connections are secure and insulated to prevent shorts.
This setup will allow you to control your Lionel operating track more effectively, enhancing your model railroad’s functionality.
Sounds great, if it worked that way. I do appreciate your help, though. In the results you got, it failed to note that the power you connect to WILL feed back to the track, unless you disconnect that connection.
I have done a lot of research, and it appears that when Lionel went from 027 to O Gauge, they went backward on this one. There is no “red wire” to cut. There ARE two filament-thin BARE wires that are soldered to two different points on the base, which does not “open up” like the 027 (or I suppose FasTrack) does. The wires, such that they are, are about 1/2" long. Nothing much to work with, and I am very comfortable with a soldering iron.
If I just insulate the sidings from track power, that will allow the aux power to operate the uncoupling track, but the locomotive would never get power there to hook-up cars again. So, since I can’t keep the operating track from “sharing” whatever power it gets with the track, then I think I am left with the following “solution”:
Insulate the dead-end sidings where cars are uncoupled from track power, at the pins.
Provide power to the sidings as follows:
2A) First, you have a DPDT switch that chooses “track” or “aux” power. When set to “track”, it just connects the hot track wire directly to pin 3 (power) of the operating track. This would be “locomotive mode”. When set to “aux”, it connects to …
2B) A second, momentary contact switch that will operate both “special functions” of the operating track. This would enable the unload/uncouple functions. Of course, the locomotive must NOT be on the siding during this mode, or it will suddenly lunge forward or backward at 14v when the momentary contact switch is pressed. For my short sidings, this is no issue.
This way, aux power is only applied momentarily (as it should be), and never bleeds back to the track, at least beyond the siding, but the locomotive has full access when the aux isn’t in use.
The same approach will work where I have a section of operating track for unloading purposes in the middle of a through-run. I will just have to insulate the operating track at both ends.
Not ideal, but I think it WILL accomplish the mission, and eliminates the need for me to perform micro surgery on 4 (brand new) operating tracks.
I don’t have to worry about phasing, because I am using a CW80 transformer which is supplying both the variable track and constant aux power.
Lionel didn’t get into O27 until after they acquired IVES assets between 1929 and 1932. Lionel started making Gauge ZerO trains to compete with IVES in 1914. IVES brought Gauge Zero to America in 1900 after their factory burned down. Gauge Zero was invented by Mārklin a few years prior.
Actually, I have a better solution. Again, isolating the operating tracks with insulating pins, but by adding a simple relay that sends track power to ALL operating tracks through the normally-closed contacts (locomotive mode). The normally-open contacts would send aux power to all operating tracks (uncouple/unload mode). The relay is then simply powered by the momentary contact switch that you use to energize the operating track’s special functions. I can jumper the left and right activating rails so that all three (left and right operating rails, and the electromagnet) are charged at once. To the user, it’s as simple as using the Lionel plastic pushbutton switch. Since there will only be one person operating the track at a time, it really won’t matter that the “other” operating tracks that aren’t the focus of attention will have their power altered. This should be a more elegant solution.
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