Fastrack Layout Wiring Assistance

[damartinca]

Thank you in advance for your assistance.  I have gotten some great information from this group.

I want to build a double reverse Fastrack Plan with an intersecting trolley line. I found some layouts on Thor's website. 

1.  Can a CW 80 handle this layout?  The switches are manual and there are no accessories running?

2.  Do I have to do any special wiring in order to accomodate both the train and the trolley running at the same time?  I want them both to run at the same time, so I don't need individual control.  Except, see question 3.

3.  Obviously, it is entirely possible that the trolley could collide with the train when they intersect at the 45 degree crossing.  Is there anything I can do that would stop the trolley when the train passes by.

Thanks,

David

 

P.S.  Yes, I am trying to get this to work before Christmas...:-)

 

[Taranwanderer]

I can't say much about Question#1, but this may help with #2 and 3:  I would take it that you want the trolley to stop on either side of the crossing if the main train is going by, not stopping the train if the trolley goes by, right?  If so, what you could do is to block out (electrically) one or two sections of the Fastrack trolley section on either side of the main line and use a relay to activate/deactivate those blocks.  As in, your relay is powered normally when there's no train on the main line near the crossing, but if the train comes near the crossing from either side, you use insulated sections of track (on each side of the crossing, so it works regardless of which way your main train is heading,) to activate your relay which then cuts power to the trolley blocks.  This would be much easier with tubular tracks, as it's easier to pull the center pins out to make isolated blocks, and it's easier to use tubular insulated track pieces.  With Fastrack, you'll have to buy all these pieces. But the idea is the same.  Good luck!

[phillyreading]

You can wire both tracks from the CW-80, as I think that the CW-80 should handle both train units, if not you will need at least a 100 watt transformer.

If the CW-80 won't handle both trains or trolley and a train, you may have to insulate the rails at the crossing track, underneath, to electrically seperate both tracks. If you can not insulate at the crossover section, you may have to cut the rails and run jumper wires to the other side of the crossover.

Track wiring at the crossing can be done one of two ways, first use a double pole doulbe throw toggle switch from Radio Shack with at least a 10 amp 50 volt rating for A.C. voltage. Second way is to go with a relay device, you can insulate the outside rail on a Fastrac section by pulling out the pins at both ends of the section and checking to see if there is a wire to disconnect underneath the track section. Some 10 inch straight sections have a wire underneath that hooks up to both outside rails and some don't, depends on manufacture date.

Lee F.

[dwiemer]

The relay idea was demonstrated in the pages of Classic Toy Trains a few years ago.  They may have a PDF file that you can download on this.  As to the CW80, it depends on the length of the track...being a Christmas layout, I suspect it is not too big.  Also, depends on the type of trains you are hauling.  If they are passenger cars with the light draw and also the size/type of engine.  Two other options would be a KW which has plenty of power for your needs and can be purchased very reasonably these days.  An in between would be the MTH 100 Watt transformer that could handle your needs if the CW doesn't quite cut it.

Dennis