I recently a used Lionel 445 operating switch tower. It seems to operate properly but the man dose not fully come down the stairs and out the tower. Dose any one have any solutions? Thanks for any help.
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Here is a link to the service documents: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=302
There are some textual service hints and a full set of exploded diagrams and part numbers.
Could be several problems. The plunger coil could have overheated and distorted the plastic core. On some early ones, the plunger link was formed too short, causing the men to not fully come to their operating positions. Too much friction on the mechanism pivots. Weak or distorted return spring. If the brass eyelet is not there inserted in the wall where the string comes out of, the string will cut a groove in the plastic and hang up the string. The man that comes down the stairs, the slider that rides in the groove in the staircase has too much friction. I find a sprinkle of graphite in the groove helps the slider work much better, makes it slicker for the two fingers. Unless the string has been changed, the man doesn't come down to the last step.
Be careful with the graphite. I find that it stains, and have never found a way to remove it.
