Lionel 356 operating freight station

Did you adjust underneath or by using the roof finials?  Voltage adjustment?  Have you dusted out the track?

Jon

I have the reproduction version Lionel came out with I think in the late '90's / early 2000's.  This is one of my favorite accessories too but, like so many others Lionel made, it should always be considered a "work in progress" meaning you do have to tinker with them from time to time.

You'll probably get a lot of differing opinions about the optimal voltage setting for the freight station.  I operate mine off a fixed voltage post on my Z-4000.  I believe the setting on that is either 15 or 16 volts.

These freight stations also tend to work better if they are loosely screwed down to your platform.  Additionally, the set screw on the vibrating tray must not be too tight.  The finial screws on top of the roof also serve to adjust the level of vibration.  If any of the adjustment screws are too tight the platform tray will not vibrate properly. And lastly, the little rubber fingers on the bottoms of the carts can't be too worn down.  You also need to make sure the vibrating tray is dust free and that there is no accumulation of dust on the rubber fingers.

You'll find you have to clean and adjust everything periodically for the freight station to operate well.

Curt

I have tried every type of setting and voltage. It seems the screws underneath seem to make it vibrate a little better when tight not loose.   Also the rubber feet are new.      Why does the motor itself get hot to the touch?    

Mine has gotten hot when I've run it an extended period of time while making adjustments.  If yours is running hot during normal operation there may be something else wrong.

C.W. Burfle frequents this forum and seems to be very knowledgeable of Postwar Lionel trains and accessories.  If he doesn't respond to your thread you might try looking up his profile and sending him an email.

Curt

A few thoughts on the 356 station (including some repeats of what was written above):

Here is the explosion diagram, thanks to Olsens.

Read this page too.

Check your carts. There should be a small guide pin cast onto the bottom of the platform that the little men stand on. I think it's the right front corner. If the pin is missing, the carts will bind on the track

The  tightness of the roof finials will affect how the accessory works, too tight, and performance suffers

It the accessory is screwed down, leave the screws loose. If the mounting screws are too tight, performance suffers.

There are springs under the platform.  Probably four, I don't recall for certain. I don't think I've ever had to do anything with them.

You may need new 356-47 adjusting cushions (see drawing). I've had to replace them to get good operation.

The platform may need adjusting at the 3656-132 adjusting nut.

How are the pads on the bottom of your carts? Do the fingers look OK?

As far as the coil getting hot goes:  What voltage are you using, and how long do you leave it turned on?
I don't think they were designed to be left on for extended periods of time. I don't have one set up right now. I tend to tune them to run on 12 volts or less.

Vinny26 posted:

...I have tried to adjust the station but the vibrations are not strong enough to move the carts.   The vibrator gets hurt to the touch.   Any ideas?

If mechanical adjustments reach a dead-end, could vibrator be defective?  A replacement is $6.

If there is an internal "short" in the coil this would lower its electrical resistance and consume more power for a given voltage.  This could explain the hot.  It also seems a compromised coil would have less vibratory action.  If you have a meter it appears you can directly measure coil resistance at connection points A and C on the diagram.  Of course someone else would need to step up and provide a reference value if this is not a published parameter.

The problem seems to be in the vibrator motor.   Sometimes it is loud sometimes low but doesn't see to vibrate enough to move the carts.  I've included some photoss

When it's loud, is it buzzing?
If so, then the metal track is striking the electromagnetic "motor".
The voltage is too high.
And/or the 3656-132 adjusting nuts are too tight.

I guess I should mention this is an A.C. only accessory. Don't know how it would work with Modern Era transformers that work by modifying the wave form.

Stan2004 comment about bad coils should be considered too, although I haven't seen any.

I will mention again that the 356-47 adjusting cushions may need replacing.

It will buzz load for a few seconds and then stop and go low mum.   The power is coming from a KW transformer set to about 14-15 volts

The voltage is set too high. Postwar Lionel spec'ed 12-14 volts. In my experience, Lionel specs are on the high side.

The vibrating metal platform is too close to the electromagnet.

- gently press down on the metal platform. It should move up and down.

If it does not, then loose the adjusting nuts and try again.

If it still does not, then your 356-48 platform suspension springs are missing, collapsed or weak. This would be a very unusual occurrence, but I've learned not to assume anything with these remote diagnosis attempts.

If the springs are OK:

The voltage is too high.
And/or the 3656-132 adjusting nuts are too tight.

Thanks.   I'll check the voltage and adjusting nuts

I had to replace the pads under the carts on mine and they took off running.

Parts available at Jeff Kane

ttender.com