Issues With 356 Operating Freight Station

Do both of the carts have the 'pole' that stands upright to trip the release? Are you using one with the tin baggage load?

Loosen the two roof screws and remove roof. You can then access the mechanism inside the shed. Try moving the carts along by hand to mimic the in-and-out action and you may be able to spot something with the release.

Another thought. As with many of the Lionel PW accessories correct voltage is key. Sometimes if the voltage is too low the trailing cart entering the shed isn't moving fast enough to trip the release. Play around with your voltage levels. I think mine works best at about 12 volts.

Thanks guys.  I'll play around with the voltage and look inside the shed.  

I have the reissue too.  The first cart has to be resting against the exit restraint when the second cart enters the shed and trips it.  If the first cart is slow and hasn't reached the exit restraint by the time the second cart enters the shed; it will get stuck.

Check the rubber fingers on the bottoms of the carts and make sure they aren't too worn.  If they are ok; try dusting the metal tray the carts ride in.  A small amount of dust can slow the cart without the baggage load.

i would also check the nuts on the curved ends of the tray.  Too tight or too loose and the tray won't vibrate properly.  Try tightening or loosening the finial nuts too.  These also affect the vibration of the tray.

Over the years I have had my reissue 356; I have concluded this can be one of the most finicky accessories known to man.  The darn thing will work perfectly in the evening and do exactly what you are talking about the next morning.  Of the various operating accessories on my layout; I spend exponentially more time trying to fine tune the freight station than I do all the others combined.

Curt

That's interesting, Curt.  I wish I could remember all of the fixes for these accessories, but I have been away from Lionel for over twenty five years.  Some come back to me as I work on them.    

Good tips from Curt!

The accessory is also sensitive to how tightly it is screwed down to your train table.

It also seems to be quite common for the cart's guide pin to be broken off, which affects the carts ability to negotiate the turns. The pin is found in the front corner underneath the driver.
I have replaced broken pins with a small piece of metal rod. I just heated it up and pushed it in.

I have one also, got it as a kid in the 50's. There is an adjustment screw under the base opposite the building end.  Lubricate the operating mechanism with some graphite.  It is a noisy accessory.  Replacement pads with fingers are available.

Here is some more info:

https://ogrforum.com/...ting-freight-station

 It is a noisy accessory. 


I've had a few different ones set up over the years. I've been able to adjust them so they just hum.

CSXJoe, thanks for the links.  I think they'll be helpful.  Another issue I have is that one of the carts gets hung up on the left side of the door as it tries to exit the shed.