Lionel 256 Engine

I'm guessing there isn't much available?   I have a partially restored 256 and I am trying to get information to finish the job.

In the prewar years Lionel had very few exploded diagrams for locomotives and accessories. Repairmen back in the day were supposed to know how things went together and wired without wiring diagrams! Lionel only provided parts lists. They did provide a few instruction sheets, like with build-a-loco kits.

 The 256 is unique, as it used 2 reverse switches, one wired to each motor, and used a common control bar to operate them simultaneously.

Thanks Chuck for the heads up on the reverse switches.   Every bit of information will be helpful to me.

I just picked up a working unit that has not reverse units and any help would be appreciated on how this 2 switch and bar unit looks like. Where could I find these parts? I runs in one direction only and the drive wheels are all good. Thank you in advance.

Check out the Olsens service manual library. The Olsens site has material that nobody else seems to have. Some of it appears to be genuine Lionel factory service material, and some of it appears to have been created by Olsens (or some other source)

256 material

reverse switch

Olsens Library Index

Thank you C.W. I had found the 256 material but the reverse switch I had not.

Now I really wish I had a picture or something of where the reverse switches are mounted since I will have to buy them, mount them, fabricate a bar and lever to link them together. Do you know where the reverse switches were mounted in these? Was it on the metal under the body that the motors are attached to?

Thank you for putting up with a rookie to this.

Jeff, could you put a Dallee reverse unit in the loco and connect it to both motors? They are fairly straight forward to install, and Dallee has a 4 amp model and a 10 amp model. 

I found these drawings in THE STORY OF WILLIAMS ELECTRIC TRAINS, by John Hubbard

I agree with Luke. A Dallee reverse unit would be easier to install. It would also provide remote control forward-neutral-reverse. The original design required manual operation.

First, thank you for the picture! That really helps.

Second, I agree and you both have a great idea about installing a reverse unit.  I have been toying with the idea of making it TMCC with an ElectricRR conversion. I am not sure if it can be done.

My first thought was to get it close to original as possible but it is pretty beat up even though it runs well in the one direction that it goes.

The reverse units would mount in the small square holes.

Contact Electric RR and ask for advice. A 256 is Lionel's largest "O" Gauge locomotive but those twin motors take up space. TMCC may fit inside but maybe not.

I have put together two 256 engines that reverse units missing.

First, you need to get the reversing bar and the little handle that moves it. I have heard that they are real hard to find. Mine had them.

Second, reversing switches. I use the ones from the tin plate search light car. I got the std. gauge ones from George Tebolt. They are MTH units. You then disassemble the reverse units and straighten out the lever. I put it in a vise and crank it down till they are flat.

Third, wiring. Four wires go to the switch: 1) Center rail, 2) two armature wires 3) motor field wire. Std. wiring is that Center rail goes to one of the armature wire and the other armature wire goes to the motor field wire. Wire each motor so that the switch reverses the armature polarity on switching. Make sure motors run in the same direction. If not reverse the armature wires on ONE motor. It is vague in the reverse switch wiring, but when you see the switch you will be able to figure it out.

fourth. I wire the pick up rollers between the two motors together. That gives me 4 rollers connected together.