Lionel 213 black lift bridge clearance issue

I don't think that I'll be able to help too much in terms of changing the clearance or providing an extra cable. About all I can tell you is what I did. I, too, was disappointed in the clearance issue. I really wanted to run my MTH bi-polar through it, but the engine just won't fit. I briefly looked at trying to increase the height, but couldn't see any viable solution.  I now have to limit the size of what I run through the bridge. I haven't had any trouble with the motors, although I will tell you to pay particular attention to the wiring; don't just wire the three leads to what seems the obvious three terminals. One of the wires crosses over another. (As much as it pains me to say this: read the instructions. Trust me.). The bridge itself sometimes needs a little nudge as it doesn't always track as well as it could when raising and lowering it. Still, despite the drawbacks, it's a nice looking bridge and I don't regret having it on my layout .

Jim

I have one that never worked and I just use it for a display bridge.  In order to get the clearance I had to remove the bottom and mount it on a 1" wood lift.  Since my never worked right, I finally was able to use it.  

Someone did this a long time ago and documented it, but I don't have a link handy (if it even still exists - on this forum it was several changes in software ago (probably only within a couple years after the bridge came out) and the thread would not have survived...).

I do not remember if there was an external link to a different web site for the author.  I'll review my bookmarks at home to see if I still have it and if it's still lout there, but won't be for maybe a day or 2.

-Dave

Thanks for your replies. Will help.

Jerry