Accessory Terminal Block (ATB)

Simply stated an ATB or “Accessory Terminal Block” is a small circuit board used to simplify the wiring of Lionel operating accessories.  It allows the transformer power, operational switch/switches and the accessory to have a common physical location where all of the wires are connected together.

Figure1 shows the traditional method of wiring a Lionel accessory that requires on wire that provides constant voltage for an internal light and a second ‘switched A_s’ wire to control the accessory.  What’s wrong with the above?  Multiple single wires going different directions!  Hard to troubleshoot and keep track of what wires are controlling what.

Figure 2 show the simplify method using an ATB.  Wires from all devices are being terminated at a “central location”.  Will simplifies the wiring if multiple switches are used.  (ie, TMCC SC-2 and standard operation switch).  Simple…  Isn’t it!