MTH Boxcar w/Signalman - Continuous Operation

I have the operating car and it continually operates also and I can't stop it.

This is an interesting question, and I'm glad to see it asked.   I've looked at the Signalman/Boxcar, and specifically the one with Santa Claus, but when I read on the MTH website and read that it had to be on the operating track to work a cycle, I stayed away from it.  I would rather have Santa hanging outside the door the entire way around the layout.  So if there was a way to make it run continuously on purpose (it looks like Balto's boxcar has a life of its own), that would be great.

-Kevin

The continuous operation is caused by a microswitch that's out of alignment. It can occur accidentally or intentionally.

The correction is to bend it back into alignment.

Thanks Barry, very interesting.  I don't have the car ... is the switch readily accessible, identifiable and easily "bent" out of alignment by the user, or does it require a trip to an authorized service technician?  I too would like to have this car on the layout the grandkids run, and operating in the continuous mode.    

Bob,

If you observe the car in operation with the shell removed, the switch is readily seen and accessible. It's easy to bend a tab slightly to make it right,

Just love this Forum.  Thanks for the info.  Simple enough; will be picking up one of the cars before Christmas.  Thanks - see you in a couple of weeks.

Bob,

see you in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to it!

Electric RR Company makes a kit for the MTH Operating Signalman cars that allows you to operate it anywhere on the layout via TMCC command. I have this and really like it!

http://www.electricrr.com/Kits/SignalMan.htm 

Red Block, thanks.  Nice solution.  Think I'll try running continuously, and if that becomes "over kill" as it might, the RR Company module sounds good.  Have to think that MTH will soon be providing operating accessories, both running and track-side, taking advantage of the new technology.  In the mean time, companies like this one are fulfilling a very useful need.

Gentlemen,

I have the ERR Mini Commanders installed in over a dozen operating cars, including 3 or 4 signalman cars. I an assure you that while the ERR boards work extremely well with the signalman cars, they do not correct or prevent the continuous operation behavior.

You still need to address the microswitch.