How to make an isolated track with O gauge Lionel Fastrack

[@vtellez01]

Nice clear instructions. I even like it when the dismantling didn’t go smoothly and you showed us how to work around the problem.

[@LRSX]

Super helpful Video! We just purchased a Fastrack grade crossing and i need to put the breaks before the curves that lead to the crossing. Well one problem solved! Thank you for sharing this!

[@Pvilletrains]

You are welcome, glad you found it useful.

[@cameroneverhart6443]

I just employed this to power on some led lights in some houses when the train comes around a bend (like the train keeps waking them up lol). Anyways, I ended up removing the horizontal metal connector (the piece that links the two outer tracks together) for BOTH curves but I don't think I needed to. I think I only needed to do it to the one track that is powering the lights but I believe in my testing I must've had the outer tracks touching which made me think I needed to remove that horizontal metal connector. Thank you so much! I have to get out my dremel tool and do what you did :)

[@Pvilletrains]

I would love to see that in operation. Do you think you could shoot a short video of it and email it to me? [e-mail]

[@Bobdole4373]

Nice video. Helpful. Thanks for making it!

[@geoff6344]

AWESOME. Thank you for showing how to do that with Fastback !

[@Pvilletrains]

You're welcome!

[@keepamericayisraelgreat5708]

Good to know, I think your information seems invaluable in the long run. Thanks

[@mattprincler]

Thank you, I was looking for a cost efficient solution for curves.

[@donsandsii4642]

Thank you. Helps with planning, no need for so many isolated sections.

[@raysrails2164]

Isolated track sections are very useful great lesson.

[@Pvilletrains]

Thank you.

[@NeedtoSpeak]

Nice job!

[@gregmyers7669]

Very good video.

[@alfaroinc1]

I am just getting into the hobby I have a couple train sets O gage and I love your videos very informative. I saw that you have 3 W80 transformers and need to learn how to set them together. What kind of control do you use to run the trains? All my tracks are tubular. I been working on my layout for a while trying to figure out the turnouts time consuming, but I like the challenge. Thank you.

[@Pvilletrains]

Each of my loops is run by a separate transformer. I decided not to add any turnouts on this layout. There’s a good video on the Lionel, KZbin page that will show you how to phase your transformers together. I think it’s titled phasing transformers and why

[@Pvilletrains]

Here the link to the phasing video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3K2gpmkepujec0si=659cmlrHoNLqTrb0

[@The_PaleHorseman]

I am very new to the hobby and what I wanted to do was a pull off siding that I can isolate and turn on and off with a toggle switch to cut power to trains in the siding if I wanted to. Would this be the same thing I need to do? I’m lost. Really liked the video, gave you a like and subscribed! Keep this up!

[@Pvilletrains]

No there’s a much easier way to do that. It’s hard to explain so what I plan on doing is a video that I will post on Sunday that will answer questions I’ve been receiving lately on a bunch of different stuff and I will make sure to add information on this for you

[@The_PaleHorseman]

@@Pvilletrains thank you big time because I don’t know how to do it and was curious. Thank you!

[@hillbilly-nk5gx]

I did this with tubular track

[@jamesbrown9761]

Hi, not understanding on your curved section, why do you hook the black wire to the isolated outside rail? Wouldn't you hook it up to the INSIDE rail, so that there is no current running thru the outside rail at all (i.e. the one that is supposed to be isolated)?

[@Pvilletrains]

The ground wire that comes from your transformer goes to the rail that is not isolated. The ground wire that will go to your accessory is connected to the isolated rail.

[@allanegleston4931]

bookkmarked for future reference .

[@edwardheyrich8601]

How many pieces of track did you use the curve and a 10 inch straight? What if you wanted it longer.

[@Pvilletrains]

That was a while ago that I did that. I think it was three but you could make them as long as you wanted

[@edwardheyrich8601]

One curve and two straights?

[@Pvilletrains]

Actually, it doesn’t matter if they’re straits or curves you just want to use three pieces. It could be three straits. It could be three curves, or any combination.

[@edwardheyrich8601]

I like your video on running two trolleys on the same loop I'm understanding how to make an isolated track I'm using a 30 inch fastrack section but how would I make a stop section for the track loop? My track is going to be 48x96.

[@danc2353]

All your instructions worked , but , my gates come down very late, Gates need to activate earlier, any advice?

[@Pvilletrains]

Easiest solution is move the isolation track a little further down so it triggers sooner

[@danc2353]

@ is the isolation track, the one where I pull the ground strip from the underside? Or, is it the track where I pull the outside pin, then grind the rail down?

[@Pvilletrains]

@danc2353 th first you mentioned

[@jimyoung688]

How do you wire it with two tracks parallel to each without power leaking from track to another.

[@Pvilletrains]

If I’m understanding your question correctly, that should not be a problem at all

[@Dino-oc8wg]

Hi, could you put up a drawing like you did for the tubular track video. I'm trying to duplicate the running of two trolleys on the same track, but they keep stopping at the isolation track instead of running to the stop track and obviously I'm doing something wrong with the track connections - thanks in advace

[@Pvilletrains]

I’m currently out of town, but I’ll try to get to it this weekend for you. Are you trying to do this with Fastrack?

[@Dino-oc8wg]

@@Pvilletrains yes

[@Dino-oc8wg]

ok I over thought this, but I got it to work. Thanks for this and your other video which got me going on this

[@Pvilletrains]

@Dino-oc8wg I’m glad to hear you got it figured out.

[@danc2353]

What dremel attachment did you use?

[@Pvilletrains]

A reinforced cut off wheel.

[@danc2353]

@ thanks.

[@pop-popbill7840]

Since you are cutting the rail with a dremel why not just leave the pin in the rail and cut them both at once?

[@Pvilletrains]

You could do it that way, but I like to save those tabs in case I might need them later. I picked up pieces of used track that they were broken.

[@JeffJerrier]

Hi. Brand new to the hobby! Trying to wire a Lionel 24" illuminated covered bridge to a Fastrack set up. Product #683305. I'd like it to be "always on" when the train set is on. The bridge has two wires coming from it. I gather they can be connected to the middle and outside rail - but how do I do that? Thanks in advance!

[@Pvilletrains]

Two questions first is what type of train set do you have? Are you running conventional or do you use remote control of some type to run your trains. Also, what type of transformer do you have?

[@JeffJerrier]

Thanks so much for the response. Running a basic, off the shelf, Lionel Christmas-themed train. Very basic but adding a few elements to spice it up! It is run from a hand-held remote; just a basic plug in the wall power source. No separate xformer. @@Pvilletrains

[@Pvilletrains]

On the bottom of your fast track, there’s a little tabs that you can plug a wire into and then run it straight to any accessory. Another option is to pick up a small transformer and wire it direct and a third option is you could use a small power adapter that you would use safe for a phone charger or to plug-in. Maybe a desktop calculator You would just need to check the back of it to make sure what the output is and you would want to make sure the output is at least 12 V. I’m currently out of town and will be back on Saturday. At that time. I could put together a quick video to show you what you need, if you just want to plug it into your fast track

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Why would you want a isolated track

[@WillsYoutubeChannel0522]

If you have 2 trains on the same track and you only want one on and not the other if its on the siding or whatever