140 Banjo Signal

My best guess is drive washer is missing or worn out. The part number is 140-32. Jeff Kane "the train tender" should have it.

Yep, and note that they will ONLY run on AC, I have seen more than one person try to run them on DC.

Bob, once you replace the drive washer here's a couple other things you can do. Take a pointed object like an ice pick and on the inside of the little can that moves the bango, scribe some lines in the metal from the center outward. When finished, it will look like little bicycle spokes. This gives the little "fingers" on the drive washer something to help turn it. Then add a little powdered graphite for lubrication. It should operate just about like-new.

Tony Sincius

TCA# 97-45101

Vibrator accessories usually run better in my experience on DC if it is pulsed half waved with a single diode in series from AC current. The  asymmetric sine wave of pulsed half wave DC is less balanced than the  symmetric AC wave.

Dale H

In addition to the ideas above, sometimes it is helpful to take a drill bit and clean out the hole in the center of the electromagnet. Do not use a power tool. Just twirl it with your fingers. The idea is to remove dirt and grime, not make the hole larger.

Thanks for all the help guys. I replaced the drive washer annd added some graphite and it's running like a champ.

Now: does anyone have any idea where to get a drive washer for a Lionel HO banjo signal?  I've had one sitting around for years, but it's missing its washer.  I've tried the usual sources, with no luck.

Last time I got them, I got them from The Train Tender.  Jeff is a good guy and he ships promptly.

I have no sources for Lionel HO parts. If anybody has one, I'd appreciate knowing about it.

Weren't the HO Banjo signals re-released a few years ago as "scale sized"? Perhaps Lionel might have them?

J White