I am planning to build a 4x8 1946 era Lionel layout this coming winter. I have bits of the top of the line 726 Berkshire set that I plan to complete with the missing cars. From my reading, the transformers of that time still lacked the built in whistle control on many of them, like the RW. As I want to do 2 loops, I am thinking the 100w type R with dual throttles. But, I know the 167 whistle controllers tend to have quite the voltage drop and sometimes the rectifier disc is just shot. Can a modern diode set up be installed in these like is done with older transfomers to help with whistle activation and voltage fall off? If so, anybody know where to get the parts? If anybody has pics of early postwar layouts from the first couple of years of production, I would love to see them, from floor layouts under the tree to table top. Looking to capture the look and feel of a layout built right after the war ended. So no plasticville and such that came later on. AD
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