Another "senior moment"

[traindaddy1]

I remember how to isolate a siding with a dead end by blocking the current on the center rail BUT I can't remember how to wire holding a train on a siding while another train passes on the main track. (O27 tubular track) 

As always, many thanks.

[BigAl 956]

Hi, are you asking about wiring in a switch to turn the siding on/off? Or are you looking for something more automated?

Of corse, TMCC, Legacy, LionChief, etc solves all this with a control system.

[traindaddy1]

When I have a dead end siding that I want to "kill" I flip a toggle switch that is connected to the center rail. 

What I'm trying to do is have two sidings off the main line, each with its own consist. I'd like to hold one on its own siding while the other runs around the loop and returns "home" allowing the other to do the same (ie go around and return to its own siding)

The least complicated. Like the dead end siding, a flip of a switch. I just can't remember where to attach the wires from the toggle to the track.

( Bothers me because I know I've done it before on another layout )

Thanks.

[lionelsoni]

Make a gap at each end of the center rail of each track, close to the turnouts to make an isolated center rail at least as long as the trains.  Use a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch.  Connect the common terminal of the switch to whatever powers your center rail elsewhere on the layout.  Connect each of the other switch terminals to one of the isolated center rails. 

[rtraincollector]

What I did when I did this is I had about 2 legnths of O27 straight track at the end of each siding that had Issolation pins on the center rail to stop and hold the train, depending how fast your running you may have to do more than 2 legnths. I then at the begining of each siding had a 153 pressure switch so when the engine ran over it, it would start the other train while it came in for a stop.I also had the switches set up to throw in same direction as the engine waiting made contact so you need to have enough space before the engine hits the front switch and throws the back switch so the train coming in can get in without tripping/jumping the rails. 

[traindaddy1]

BigAl, rtraincollector, lionelsoni --Thanks

NOW, I remember. So easy. Bob: