I will start us off by sharing my most recent project: the Lionel Postwar #450 2 track signal bridge.
This is one of my favorite accessories. I also have the Postwar single track signal bridge.
There are more modern and superior full proof signal bridges, but I like the Postwar one using the #153 connector that triggers the changing of the signal from green to red from the weight of the train passing by. Why do I prefer it? Maybe for nostalgic reasons (I got one as a child), maybe because of the challenge of getting it to operate well, and maybe because I already have one and if I get it to work, I don't need to buy a more expensive modern one.
The repair involved getting the green light to go on for one of the 2 signals.
In the past, I simply adjusted the nut or cleaned the 153 connector, but this time that simple fix didn't work.
I didn't have much confidence that I would succeed in fixing it, so yesterday I visited my LHS hoping to buy another one. After searching throughout the store, I first found the new Lionel version for $99 that plugs into Fast Track. That seemed expensive and not ideal for me because I have an O Gauge tubular track layout, so I continued my search.
Eureka! I finally found the classic #450 Postwar version with the box for $29 and bought it without hesitation.
When I got home, I decided to take another stab at fixing my original #450. The wires seemed old so I decided to re-wire it using black flex wire I had bought a couple of years ago from the Train Tender, one of our sponsors.
After re-wiring it, I tested it on the living room carpet hooking it up to a ZW transformer, and it worked beautifully.
When I first put it on the layout connecting it to the existing wires there, I still had the same problem with no green light for one of the signals. So, I re-wired those wires as well.
Now, it works perfectly. Now I have 2 #450 signal bridges: one is on the layout, and one is on the shelf. I may use the spare one when I do a planned layout expansion within the next month or so.
I found this project very satisfying, and my success with it gives me a little more confidence fixing things on the layout.
Now it's your turn: tell us about anything you recently fixed and how did it make you feel.
Arnold.
PS: I will post a photo and video of my repaired signal bridge after I clean up the mess currently on my layout and in my basement.
