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According to my old 1953 book from Lionel, you can control block signals by using the "Non-derailing feature"...  Normally, you would hook up three wires from the switch controller to the switch itself. So, in the case of a Lionel 153 block signal, it appears that you parallel the three signal terminals to the controller leads at the switch.  Correct ?

But in the case of a Lionel 151 Semaphore, the sketch seems to indicate that lockon-provided track power goes to two of the semaphore's terminals and the third terminal goes to one of the three terminals on the switch.  Right ?  Could anyone expand on this a little bit ?

 

Yesterday I panicked because either a large ZW controller or the smaller lever next to it, would operate the same train.  I knew I had a crossed wire somewhere.  Gave up until this morning when I would be more "fresh" and not tired !

Found a wire going to a Lockon that should have gone to the nearby Lockon on  the far side of the fiber pin.  Corrected same.  All is well !

 

KRK

Original Post

Ken-

 

The 151 and 153 signals were wired differently, even though both have three terminal posts. In the case of the 151, one post serves as a common ground, another is the "hot" for the light bulb, and the third is the "hot" for the solenoid (which raises the arm). In contrast, the 153 signal has a common ground, but then a "hot" for the green bulb, and a "hot" for the red bulb.

 

When wiring the 151 signal to a switch, only two wires are used (solenoid 'hot' and ground) so that the semaphore blade is raised when one route is selected; the other post is connected to the transformer 'hot' so that the bulb remains illuminated at all times.

 

When wiring the 153 signal, all three wires would be connected to the switch so that one lamp would always be illuminated (i.e. red when the switch is set for the diverging route; green when the switch is set for the straight route).

 

Hope this helps!

 

-John

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