Is the Wiring Diagram for the SC-1 Correct for the 356 Freight Station?

'C' is the input power to the lamp and coil from whatever transformer terminal you are using,  'B' is 'ground' from the transformer to light the lamp normally coming from the 'U' terminal, 'A' is via the push button to operate the solenoid by providing  a path back to 'U' or ground from the transformer.  If you want the lamp to come on with the button, hook 'A' and 'B' together.  If you want the lamp to be lit all the time route the U terminal or ground from the transformer to 'B'.  Intermittent U conneciton via a momentary contact push button to operate the shed is applied to  'A' and should not be applied by a toggle switch, unless the spring loaded type that is normally off or an extended toggle 'ON' time will burn up the solenoid.  The Lionel drawing shows B going back to the transformer and keeping the lamp lit continuously, with the push button between B and A, basically routing that transformer U terminal or ground at B over to A.   Calling it ground or U terminal as the transformer  U terminal is basically the common for everything, and could be also called 'ground' if you are into electrical or electronic work.

The labeling of SC1's AUX one and two is inconsistent with the terminal layout, but appears to be the same vertical row of 'Switch Thru', common, and 'Switch Out'  Why they just didn't call them normal open NO, and normal closed NC is odd.

I looked at the SC1 directions and see that they did wire other accessories to turn on lamps or activate the mechanism, but not both at the same time, so the wiring appears correct.  If you want the lamps on all the time, wire it as described in the orignal directions, and use the SC1 to operate the solenoid.

Push buttons were so much easier.

Here's my concern. The SC1 current rating is basically minimal.

What is not outlined is also the concept of duty cycle or duration of how long and how often an output is allowed to be ON and not burn up the TRIAC.

Your icing station is a momentary action where the coil is only active for a short time to move the man and ice cube over to the car.

On the freight station- being a vibration based motor- much longer activation is required. This means cooking the TRIAC in the SC1 for longer and possibly blowing it.

OK, so beyond that- I'm worried about the fact you may be missing 2 totally separate outputs and thus 2 totally separate commands?

In other words, are you using AUX1 and then AUX2 button presses associated with the ID?

Review the example #3 below for the aux fuel station since the concept and operation is similar to the freight station.

Again, you followed the wiring diagram and EDIT now- see post below- I question that a bit without more testing. that should be correct.

If an SC1 channel is damaged- it may either get stuck on permanently or burn out open circuit.

Since the light works and the action doesn't, I think either you failed to send the command- or the TRIAC on that output might be dead. Or now there could be a problem with wiring because of what terminal is common on the station.

Move to yet another channel ID grouping set of outputs on the SC-1

Long term- get an SC-2

Key point from the manual: https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-2914-250.pdf

There are two vertical “columns” of
terminals for connecting SC-1 to Lionel
accessories.

Top-row SC-1 accessory ter-
minals are for push-and-hold functions
like loaders and motors, controlled by
AUX1.

Bottom-row terminals are for
on/off functions like light towers, con-
trolled by CAB-1’s AUX2 button.

The middle row is for transformer “com-
mon” (U terminal) voltage.

Now the #365 manual https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-4106-250.pdf

So trying to compare this diagram for manual switch

to this with SC-1

VS this much better labeling for the fueling station.

Now, even I have questions.

Looks like C is the common terminal of the station- common to both light and motor

A is motor- pretty confident in that.

B is light?

If that is valid for the internal wiring of the station (I don't have one handy to check at the moment with a meter)- then that does make me think the diagram is wrong for SC-1 wiring.

Again, the catch22 is, I don't have a station to validate the internal wiring and what contact actually is common on one.

@CALNNC and @Vernon Barry,

Thanks very much for the posts.  The rewiring suggested by Vernon was exactly the thought I had.  Unfortunately I've been sidetracked by a snowfall here in the northern burbs of Houston.  I've been here 50 years, and this is only the third time where the snow stayed on the ground that I can recall.  So, to celebrate, my wife and I made new hood ornaments for my car.

I should be getting back to my real work (toy trains?) tomorrow.

Thanks again.