Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller properly operates four to eight AC powered trackside accessories as trains enter insulated outside rail track blocks.

The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller:

• Provides prototypic operating modes for any trackside accessory,
  
• Is activated by any engine or rolling stock,
  
• Activates accessories even when track power is off,
  
• Can limit accessory activation time,
  
• Allows isolated track blocks to operate multiple accessories,
  
• Provides precise track block designations,
  
• Allows accessories to be activated from more than one track block,
  
• Isolates accessory power from the track so derailments don't cause problems and your train transformers can be fully utilized.

The "Universal Trackside Accessory Controller" can activate trackside accessories eleven different ways:

Block Signal When a train is in a block, or in either of two blocks, one output switches from ON-to-OFF and second output switches from OFF-to-ON. Used for two-light or three-light block signals. Outputs can also be connected to separate accessories to effect Straight OFF/ON and Reverse ON/OFF functions. Straight On/Off An output is OFF when no train is in the block, ON when one moves into the block. Used for three-light block signals and for any accessory that you want activated whenever a train is in a block. Reverse Off/On An output is ON when no train is in the block, OFF when one moves into the block. Used to create your own custom block signaling or other special effects. Flashing Crossbuck When a train is in a block, or in either of two blocks, two outputs alternately flash at 60 flashes per minute. Used for a flashing crossbuck signal and/or to flash warning lights. Slow Flash When a train is in a block one output turns ON and OFF at 60 flashes per minute. Used for single warning lights. Works well for the 1045 Flagman; the flagman waves its flag, rather than just raising it. Bell Ring A bell is rung at 120 rings per minute as long as a train is in the block. Used for warning bells. Can also be used to flash a light. One-Time Bell Ring A bell is rung at 120 rings per minute for five seconds when a train enters a block. The bell is silenced after five seconds until the train leaves the block and another enters the block. Used for warning bells. Reduces the annoyance of a continuously ringing bell if a train is stopped in a block. Slow Crossing Gate When a train enters a block the connected crossing gate starts down slowly. When it is fully down, it is held down at reduced power (to reduce heating and possible damage to the accessory). When the train leaves the block the crossing gate slowly rises. Used for crossing gates and can also be used for a gateman or similar accessories. Two different actions are available: 152 and 252. On With Limit An output is OFF when no train is in the block, ON when one moves into the block. If the train is in the block for more than 20 seconds, the output is turned off and stays off for 25 seconds, turning back ON if a train is still in the block. Used for a gateman, semaphore, or similar accessories. The on limitation can be employed to increase the action or to reduce heating and possible damage to an accessory. Can also be used to cycle lights on and off without train activation. Fixed Time On An output is OFF when no train is in the block, ON for ten seconds when one moves into the block. After ten seconds ON, the output is turned OFF for 25 seconds. It will turn ON for another ten seconds if a train is still in the block. Used for a gateman, semaphore, or similar accessories. The fixed on time can be used to overcome short trains or blocks, employed to increase the action, or to reduce heating and possible damage to an accessory. Can also be used to cycle lights on and off without train activation. One-Time On An output is OFF when no train is in the block, ON for three, five, or ten seconds when one moves into the block. After the ON time , the output is turned OFF and held off until the train leaves and again enters the block. Used for a gateman or similar accessories. Also used for providing a non-derailing feature for O-27 gauge switches. The fixed on time assures that the switch will receive sufficient power to complete the switching action, but its effect on track power is minimized.

More than one accessory can be activated by each output. For example, two flashing highway crossbucks placed on either side of the track at a crossing are wired in parallel and are counted as one accessory. Or, a whole string of street lights are wired together and are activated by the same Controller output.

Following are some of the combinations of accessories that can be activated by one UTAC:

Four Lionel 153 Block Signals, or similar, serving four independent track blocks.

Eight 153 Block Signals covering trains in both directions of four track blocks.

Two 153 Block Signals and four semaphores.

One block signal, one flashing highway crossbuck, and four semaphores.

Four flashing highway crossbucks, at four separate grade crossings. Eight flashing highway crossbucks with one on each side of the track.

Two block signals and two flashing highway crossbucks.

Two complete grade crossings, each with flashing highway crossbucks and crossing gates on each side of the track and a 145 Gateman. Each is activated at different points in the train's progress through the intersection.

Two complete grade crossings, each with flashing highway crossbucks and crossing gates on each side of the track and a Lionel 1045 Flagman. The flagman waves the flag, rather than just raising it once.

Two complete grade crossings, each with flashing highway crossbucks and crossing gates on each side of the track and a ringing bell. The bell rings for a time, then stops.

Four track switches, either for non-derailing or automatic route selection, or both.

And over 240 other combinations.

Click the bar to discover what the UTAC can do, why it is better than any other trackside accessory operating technique, and what is needed to use it.

Click for a description, pictures, and technical details.

The The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller comes with a complete instruction manual. It shows how to fully utilize the UTAC to add trackside accessory action to your layout. Even if your wiring experience is limited, it will show you how to construct track blocks and use them to operate block signals, flashing crossbucks, and any other trackside accessory.

Click the bar to review a summary and excerpts from the UTAC manual, including screen representations of the printed drawings accompanying the detailed text.

Pictures of the UTAC Demonstrator illustrate a UTAC mounted and wired to trackside accessories. An explanation of demonstrator operation illustrates some the capabilities of the UTAC. Click the bar for pictures and a detailed description.

Now that you have seen what the The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller will do, you need one for your layout. Click the bar to order one.

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