Isolated siding using common rail concept

[Anonymous]

I am using Realtrax for my layout and have 2 locomotives (1 diesel and 1 steam). I want to run only 1 train at a time and park the other locomotive on a siding which I want to isolate using a single pole switch. As a newcomer to railroading can anyone help with how to set this up using Real trax. i heard I should use common rail but have no clue how to set it up. Any help would be helpful :-)

[Anonymous]

Simply isolate the center rail a bit longer than your maximum train lenth. If you have a passing siding isolate the center rails on both sidings. I never used real track but I assume MTH has insulated joiners for it. If not you can simply cut a gap in the center rail with a Dremel tool and a cut off disc. Always wear eye protection when cutting. Solder wires to each isolated center rail and run them to each end of a 10 amp DPDT center off automotive toggle switch. These are available at Radio Shack for about $3. Run the track power to the center (common) of the toggle. Throwing the switch will power and depower the appropriate section. Leaving the switch in the middle will leave both sections off. The other set of contacts on the switch can be used for block indicator power if desired or can be used to throw switch machines.Throwing switch mahines can be a bit more complicaed but doable.

Dale Hz

[pbjwilson]

MTH makes an insulated track section, actually two half sections of track. Simply put one !/2section at one end of your passing siding and the other at the other end. Power is delivered to a seperate lock-on for that section of siding. Hope that makes sence.

[lionelsoni]

An SPST switch will work just fine if all you want to do is turn the power on and off for a single siding. If you want to switch one track off and the other on, SPDT will do it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys for the valuable assist on this. I will try it out this weekend and post any questions but all the postings are quite clear. Thanks

[Chris F]

RealTrax uses large brass tabs to transfer current from one section to the next. As a temporary measure, wrap some electrical tape around the center rail tabs, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the isolated siding.

Over time, the tape may wear or fall off if you take the track sections apart. The permanent fix is to cut off the tab. If you leave some of the tab section, you can solder a feeder wire to it for providing power (as an alternative to a lock-on).