Lionel Compatible Uncoupling Insert For Fastrack

This insert allows you to turn a straight piece of Fastrack into an uncoupling section. It does require a fair amount of modification to the original piece of track and a few bits of wire, but the total cost should be much less than the official decoupling section.  This project requires cutting up a piece of track, winding an electromagnet, and a fair bit of soldering. If you mess up the wiring or run it for too long it will get hot and could burn your house down. So don't do that. Required Materials ~50ft 30AWG Magnet wire 10" Fastrack Section 17mm long ~8mm rod (I cut up a 5/16" bolt, iron or mild steel are fine, do not use stainless steel) Solder Miscellaneous wire CA Glue Spade connectors (optional) Assembly Instructions Print all three printable parts. Cut steel rod to length. Glue the two spool pieces to the rod to make a complete spool. One side should be flush with the end of the rod. The other should protrude 1-2mm.  Wrap about 50ft of wire on the spool as neatly and tightly as possible. The coil should measure about 5 ohms, which matches the official decoupler. Cut a piece of Fastrack so the top piece fits snuggly. You will have to cut out a section of the center rail. Glue the spool into to the top piece. Glue the whole electromagnet assembly in place. Make sure it is centered between the rails so that there is enough clearance for the flanges on the wheels to pass by. Wire it up. One lead from the magnet to one of the side rails. The other goes to a switch and then to either the accessory power on your transformer or to the center rail. Solder a jumper wire to connect the contacts of the now disconnected sections of center rail. Decouple some trains.  Feel free to message me if you need any further explanation.