Acquiring the Right Lionel Tin Plate 305 Hellgate Bridge

Brian,

    Ground the 305 Tin Plate HG Bridge properly and you should have no problem running Legacy controlled Engines thru it.  I am also planning on switching the HG Bridge Lighting to a soft Green LED, independently powered by one of my KW Transformers.

PCRR/Dave 

How would I ground the bridge?

Mill City posted:

"So, two O gauge trains could pass through this mammoth?"

I believe prototype was designed to accommodate four. It presently serves three. The above is a 1/48 scale model.

I just watched "I Love Toy Trains 8" on RFD.  It features the Lionel Club of Milwaukee that has a 3 track, enormous replica of the Hellgate bridge.  It spans the entire layout and can run 3 O guage trains or Two O gauge and one standard guage.  Pretty incredible!

George

Phoebe Snow Route posted:

.................

Has anyone ever run a Legacy loco through a Hellgate and had any problems in regards to Cab remote signals?

I've run (simple loop, not a complex layout with over/under/etc.) Legacy locos through the Hellgate on my outer loop on my main layout with no issues.  I use tubular track here, and I will mention I don't have the lights powered up, but I'd follow the instructions about not powering the lights via the track if I did so.

I've recently also run Legacy Locos through my FasTrack loop for my Christmas layout (again, not lit). 

I did not need to go through the grounding exercise others refer to.  Bridges are just sitting on the tabletop/floor.

-Dave

Brian,

   I am simply going to ground the HG Bridge back to my KW Transformer which will be plugged directly into a well grounded wall outlet, using a three prong adapter, the KW will independently power the lighting of the 305 HG Bridge.  The  loop of FasTrack  transitioning in and out of the HG Bridge Lionel Tubular Conventional Track will be powered by a well grounded Z4K and run both DCS & Legacy.  The 990 Legacy Base will be plugged directly into a well grounded wall outlet.  Both the Legacy & DCS  P2 Engines should have not problem traveling thru the HG Bridge, 2 at a time.

PCRR/Dave

The 305 is just the greatest...we use it for our duck-under:

PD

Very cool. Love the semaphore signals !!

PD,

   Way cool picture, especially of the Train running thru the HG 305 Bridge and of the Fischer Directionals, & Lionel Cattle Pen close to the Engine with the Gantry Crane off in the distance, fantastic picture!  I also noticed you did not light your 305 Hellgate Bridge, was this due to the duck under or were you having some other problem?

PCRR/Dave