Operating Switch Tower Stuck!

I’d start by replacing the spring.

Accessories like this switch tower can require periodic tinkering to keep them operating properly.

Curt

juniata guy posted:

I’d start by replacing the spring.

Accessories like this switch tower can require periodic tinkering to keep them operating properly.

Curt

Any ideas where I could find another?

Pr&njrr,

email me, I have one that I am not using. Works well. 

The location where the string passes through the wall for man on the stairs wears/cuts into the plastic wall. The post-war Lionel service manual had a grommet part number to repair the hole.

Check the string for stair dude or check for crud in the stair dude's sliding guide on the stairs.

See attached

To Carl’s point; I use powdered graphite on this line and also in the stair guide. Just a smidge added to these two areas keeps the line and the stair guy’s guide moving freely.

I suppose a white molybdenum powder would work ok too.  Both are commonly found in hobby stores; particularly those that sell Cub Scout Pinewood Derby kits.

Curt

hokie71 posted:

Pr&njrr,

email me, I have one that I am not using. Works well. 

I appreciate the offer, but I am not currently looking to buy a second switch tower.

juniata guy posted:

To Carl’s point; I use powdered graphite on this line and also in the stair guide. Just a smidge added to these two areas keeps the line and the stair guy’s guide moving freely.

I suppose a white molybdenum powder would work ok too.  Both are commonly found in hobby stores; particularly those that sell Cub Scout Pinewood Derby kits.

Curt

I'll have to go out and get some from somewhere.  

Does the roof come off of yours? If yes, observe the operation and you'll see if it is the string or in the solenoid/mechanism.

As has already been mentioned, an eyelet should be added to the hole through the wall. It reduces friction and stops the string from cutting a groove into the wall

Some original towers have a bad link between the armature and the arm. See the service manual for details.

A word of caution on graphite: it stains. I do not know of any way to completely remove the marks.

I had misunderstood Hokie's earlier response; I thought he was offering to give you the spring.

The Lionel number for the tower is 6-2324.  The spring should be available from most Lionel parts dealers.  S&W, Train Tender and Chuck Sartor are three who come to mind.  Chuck is a regular here on the Forum.  The spring part number shown in the exploded diagram Moonman posted earlier should also work on the LTI model tower you have.

Another thing you might try before buying a new spring is to remove some of the bands from the existing spring - shorten it in other words.  If you choose to try this I will caution that "less is more".  You can always remove more bands from a spring if necessary but, you darned sure can't add them back.

The info noted by Hokie and CW concerning the eyelet where the draw string passes through the wall is new to me.  The graphite I've used over the years apparently has prevented any groove from forming.  I checked my tower last night and there is no groove in the hole.  I also long ago replaced the original line that came with the tower.  For the past 20 years or so, I've used fishing line as the draw string for the stair guy.

And I will concur with CW's caution about graphite staining.  You will have some staining inside the tower as well as in the stair guide.  Fortunately, the staining inside the tower is visible only with the roof off and that inside the stair guide is normally hidden from view.  In any event; this is why I say a smidge of the graphite.  If some minor graphite staining will be an issue; definitely go with the eyelet instead.

Curt