I need to restring my lionel lift bridge, any advice on how to do that?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Sure,
Go to Lionel site, click on custome service, then service documents, insert the bridge product number and it will bring up the bridge manual. On the last page is the restringing procedure. JP
Go to Lionel site, click on custome service, then service documents, insert the bridge product number and it will bring up the bridge manual. On the last page is the restringing procedure. JP
Have you done a restring or do know someone who has?
No, I haven't had to ....yet. Other people on the forum have as this subject comes up every once in a while. Hopefully someone will chime in.
I have that lift bridge (the gray one) and here is how I restrung the bridge:
(Please note that this is delicate procedure and should be done very carefully.)
1. Leave the metal clips alone.
2. In the tower with the motor, you will need to CAREFULLY flip the computer board over. Do this very carefully as there are wires attached to this board on adjacent sides which make this a delicate procedure.
3. With the board safely out of the way, you will see the spool with most likely a rats nest of string around it. Remove the gear that connects the motor to the spool. Now you can rotate the spool and untangle the mess.
4. Once the string is untangled, the bridge should go all the way down.
5. Carefully reinstall the gear, computer board, and tower lid.
I have found out with mine that if the bridge does not stay upright or the bridge is lifted by hand, the string can get wrapped around the spool and cause bridge not to seat properly. The first thing people go after are the metal clips... not a good idea as it can make a larger mess. If you did, then do everything above first and with the bridge all the way down, install the clips.
Please take your time with this... if you have any questions, post here (with pics if you can) and I'll do my best to answer them.
Larry
(Please note that this is delicate procedure and should be done very carefully.)
1. Leave the metal clips alone.
2. In the tower with the motor, you will need to CAREFULLY flip the computer board over. Do this very carefully as there are wires attached to this board on adjacent sides which make this a delicate procedure.
3. With the board safely out of the way, you will see the spool with most likely a rats nest of string around it. Remove the gear that connects the motor to the spool. Now you can rotate the spool and untangle the mess.
4. Once the string is untangled, the bridge should go all the way down.
5. Carefully reinstall the gear, computer board, and tower lid.
I have found out with mine that if the bridge does not stay upright or the bridge is lifted by hand, the string can get wrapped around the spool and cause bridge not to seat properly. The first thing people go after are the metal clips... not a good idea as it can make a larger mess. If you did, then do everything above first and with the bridge all the way down, install the clips.
Please take your time with this... if you have any questions, post here (with pics if you can) and I'll do my best to answer them.
Larry
Originally Posted by GNERR:
I have that lift bridge (the gray one) and here is how I restrung the bridge:
(Please note that this is delicate procedure and should be done very carefully.)
1. Leave the metal clips alone.
2. In the tower with the motor, you will need to CAREFULLY flip the computer board over. Do this very carefully as there are wires attached to this board on adjacent sides which make this a delicate procedure.
3. With the board safely out of the way, you will see the spool with most likely a rats nest of string around it. Remove the gear that connects the motor to the spool. Now you can rotate the spool and untangle the mess.
4. Once the string is untangled, the bridge should go all the way down.
5. Carefully reinstall the gear, computer board, and tower lid.
I have found out with mine that if the bridge does not stay upright or the bridge is lifted by hand, the string can get wrapped around the spool and cause bridge not to seat properly. The first thing people go after are the metal clips... not a good idea as it can make a larger mess. If you did, then do everything above first and with the bridge all the way down, install the clips.
Please take your time with this... if you have any questions, post here (with pics if you can) and I'll do my best to answer them.
Larry
(Please note that this is delicate procedure and should be done very carefully.)
1. Leave the metal clips alone.
2. In the tower with the motor, you will need to CAREFULLY flip the computer board over. Do this very carefully as there are wires attached to this board on adjacent sides which make this a delicate procedure.
3. With the board safely out of the way, you will see the spool with most likely a rats nest of string around it. Remove the gear that connects the motor to the spool. Now you can rotate the spool and untangle the mess.
4. Once the string is untangled, the bridge should go all the way down.
5. Carefully reinstall the gear, computer board, and tower lid.
I have found out with mine that if the bridge does not stay upright or the bridge is lifted by hand, the string can get wrapped around the spool and cause bridge not to seat properly. The first thing people go after are the metal clips... not a good idea as it can make a larger mess. If you did, then do everything above first and with the bridge all the way down, install the clips.
Please take your time with this... if you have any questions, post here (with pics if you can) and I'll do my best to answer them.
Larry
Larry, thanks for you help with this resstring. I need to ask you for your help again with the lift bridge, this time I am trying to locate the "O" track sensors that are used when the bridge is raised to stop the trains from running through and ending up floor bound. Is this sensor just a lock on that only is attached to the outside rail? If it is something else, can you tell me how to construct a substitue? Thanks again for any and all help you can give.
Ted
