Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller adds ACTION to your layout! As trains move around your layout block signals automatically change from green to red and back to green, semaphores lower and raise, crossbuck lights flash, crossing gates slowly lower and then raise after the train clears the intersection, a gateman pops out of his shack, then retreats back into it, a switchman comes down the stairs of his tower, then returns, bells ring, and more.

All this is done using almost invisible connections to sections of track that have one outside rail isolated. You don't need fussy, engine weight-controlled, track clips or large (and expensive) track relays.

The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller will properly operate any prewar, postwar, or modern trackside accessory we have run into, including: Block Signals (two and three lights), Semaphores, Crossing Gates, Flashing Crossbuck Lights, Warning Bells, Whistle Stations, Gatemen, Operating Switch Towers, and Operating Watchmen.

The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller can also be used to operate billboards, yard lights, floodlight towers, beacon tower lights, lighted stations, or even lights in buildings. Action can be triggered by trains moving into track blocks or independently by the Controller itself.

Click the bar for descriptions of trackside accessories and connection diagrams for the UTAC.

You already have a three-rail, alternating-current powered train layout and alternating current trackside accessories. The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller circuit board requires a fixed-voltage, alternating-current power source (a transformer) of twelve volts.

You will also need one or more additional transformers for powering your trackside accessories.

Isolated-rail track blocks are used to sense a train and activate accessories. Some track systems have no electrical connection between outside rails, so all that is needed is provide isolating pins in an outside rail. Most track systems offer a section of track that has one rail isolated. High-rail tubular track can be isolated by inserting a square of insulating material between an outside rail and metal ties.