Lionel switch connection

[Bill Baker]

After 50 plus years I have dug out my old Lionel set and have started to set it up.  My question is this.  For the life of me I cannot remember how to connect my Lionel solenoid switches to my transformer.  I have a LW 125 watt transformer with five terminals listed as U, B, A, A, and C.  The two double A terminals are listed as "common".  I have my track connector wires connected to U and A.  They work fine.  To which terminals do I connect the three wires from the turnout? 

Thanks, Bill

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Bill,

Find your track switch(es) here:

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd2h.htm

Click on the item number of your switch, then click on the small picture of the page you wish to view full size.
To choose a different small picture, you must first close (x-out of) the tab that was opened.  

Some track switches take their power directly from the middle rail (variable track voltage), and return through the outer rails.  

You can modify your switches to take (steady) accessories power directly from the transformer,

but the return still goes through the outer rails.

This vastly improves switch motor performance, however,
you would not want to park wheels on the (non-derailing feature) control rails,
which would cause the solenoid to run continuously and overheat (melt, burn up).    

LW uses the 2 "A" terminals as common return (track outer rails).

B-A = 19Vac accessory power  
C-A = 14.1Vac accessory power (Try first as steady power for switches.)
U-A = 0V (loco stopped) and 7.6Vac to 19Vac variable track power.
C-B = 4.9Vac accessory power, but not common with track power return.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=658

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Edit: Changed "but the return still needs to go through the outer rails, or the same transformer terminal connected to the outer rails."

         to "but the return still goes through the outer rails."

[Bill Baker]

Joe,

Thanks a million.....you nailed it!

Bill

[r0gruth]

I may be confused on this but wouldn't the "three wires" go to the switch controller?

The type of switch was not stated but if they were O-27 switches they ran from track power unless they had been modified.
The O gauge O22 switches could be powered from track power or from a plug on the side of the swich machine housing with ONE wire to the transformer.

In both cases a three wire controller goes to the switches to change their direction.

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Roger,

I gave Bill the links to all the post-war switch diagrams assuming he would find his switch(es) among them,

and see how the controllers were hooked up. 

I will correct my return circuit comment.  Thanks for the heads up.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik   

[r0gruth]

Joe,

I read it a little too fast and missed one of the links.Sorry.