Wiring Diagram Needed - Lionel 252 Engine

thanks !!

Topologically that 262 diagram is the same as most basic Lionel engine wiring diagrams, prewar and postwar.  Substitute an e-unit for that manual switch and the logic is the same.

The essential principle is that one side of the field is connected to ground, and the other side is connected to a brush.  The other brush is connected to power from the third rail.

Which brush is connected to the field and which to the power determines direction of rotation of the armature.  That is done by a DPDT switch, manual or automatic.  That 262 diagram uses a manual switch.  The E-unit is simply an automatic DPDT switch with a neutral position.  You can find a neutral position with the manual switch if you move it carefully,

These basic principles apply as much to an early 20's 252 as to a 60's Hudson.  The multitude of locomotive wiring diagrams really differs only in the physical location of the connections.

ML

@mlaughlinnyc posted:

Topologically that 262 diagram is the same as most basic Lionel engine wiring diagrams, prewar and postwar.  Substitute an e-unit for that manual switch and the logic is the same.

The essential principle is that one side of the field is connected to ground, and the other side is connected to a brush.  The other brush is connected to power from the third rail.

Which brush is connected to the field and which to the power determines direction of rotation of the armature.  That is done by a DPDT switch, manual or automatic.  That 262 diagram uses a manual switch.  The E-unit is simply an automatic DPDT switch with a neutral position.  You can find a neutral position with the manual switch if you move it carefully,

These basic principles apply as much to an early 20's 252 as to a 60's Hudson.  The multitude of locomotive wiring diagrams really differs only in the physical location of the connections.

ML

An additional note.  The same principle applies to American Flyer with one exception.  They reverse the current flow through the field and not through the brushes.

@mlaughlinnyc posted:

An additional note.  The same principle applies to American Flyer with one exception.  They reverse the current flow through the field and not through the brushes.

Some Lionel do this too.  Here is the 1664 diagram as an example.

Thanks again Rob! I appreciate all this good information.

Thank you 🙏 mlaughlinnyc!!! Fantastic info, this will help greatly, hopefully I’ll be posting a fully restored engine in the near future!