Lionel switch tower 445

I'm familiar with the more modern version. Has 4 terminals on the bottom of the unit. One terminal  is hooked up to an activator or a switch separate from the lights and you control the movement up and down. If yours only has two terminals, I would say definitely need a switch and would have to manually turn it on and off.

Hook it up this way...

Use separate power, not track power. Hot and common to posts 1&3 on the tower. Attach wire from post 2 to an insulated track section and the passing train will trigger the action.

Edit: I have a PW version of the tower and that's how mine is set up. Works great. Not sure about modern remakes.

Thanks for the information.  Part of the problem maybe that the tower I am working on, has NO number 3 post.  Looks like a call to the "train tender" is needed.

Brent

When you remove the power clips do the men go to the return positions?????

Marty

When connecting the 2 wires (direct) to a Lionel CW 80, the light works and the little guy on the steps go down and the man on the balcony goes inside.  That is all that happens, motor continues to run but the figures stays put no reverse movement. Is a special switch needed ? The instructions were not stored.

The 445 switch tower does not have a motor. It has a solenoid. When power is applied, the solenoid pulls a lever which lets the man go down the stairs. When power is removed, the lever moves back, pulling the man back up the stairs.
It is designed to be used with either a track trip or a momentary push button.

A common issue with these switch towers is wear on the hole though which the string for the man passes.
The fix is to put a small eyelet in the hole. If it was mine, I'd install the eyelet as a preventative measure.
You can read about this issue / fix here:  Lionel Service Manual: 445 Switch Tower
Here is the specific page: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/accs/acc445p1.pdf

Thanks all. 

Brent