Lionel 313 bascule Bridge help

I'm not sure I've ever had a bridge full of crap.  I look forward to following this thread!

Jon

The TCA Museum Library has the instruction sheets for the Bascule Bridge.

Mikey

John, go onto a bridge where pigeons live in superstructure.

This one was interesting.

 http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=33450

jerry,

I completely rebuilt a 313 couple years ago, works like it should and with all original parts.  I did make use of parts from 2 other "parts" bridges, but all together have a bridge to be proud of.  Only thing is, it had been completely painted over with silver paint... and had the prewar gray structure underneath.  I will locate and attach what I found and used to rewire and rework the mechanisms for me.  Hope it all helps.

OK... have been looking all through my comp... have it in here somewhere..... will post when I do locate it.. and save in more than one location !

Jesse   TCA

Thanks all but still need something that shows a tear down and rebuild if it's available? Crap means crud to infirm the first reply .sorry you didn't  understand 

Jerry

Make sure you get the correct instructions. There was a prewar version and a postwar version.   The differences are the gear box is a different shape and I think the linkages between the motor and the gearbox are different. Also, if you take the house apart to repaint there are little metal tabs that hold it together, be careful when bending and unbending.  If you need a roof, don't limit you search to a 313 roof, the same roof is on the 97 coal loader.  I redid 2 of these bridges a long time ago.  I put them in a box and never used them. I need to pull them out.

Thanks for your reply. I think I have the post war one because it is silver instead of Grey. Is this correct?

Jerry 

Jerry,

Yes, if silver in color, it is most likely a Postwar version.  The grey version was from '40 - '42 I believe, if my memory serves me correct.  I did a change out of the base from another "parts" bridge, and it was a PW version.  As MOED321 pointed out, there are differences Lionel made after the early '40s when they reissued after the war was over.  The gear box was changed, improved, thus the shaft linkage spring changed, also.  The new style gear box has reduction gears, where the prewar was more direct drive.  Also, still seeking the print out/scan I used for the electrical rewire I hade to do.  In between all else, I will post when I locate.

Jesse     TCA

Looks very nice, .I sure would like to  get my hands on a set of tear down instructions though.

Thanks, Jerry 

Jerry,   I do not know whether you will ever find a set of "tear down/rebuild" instructions anywhere.  Please refer to attached material I used, and made notes on, when I did my first rebuild.  Hope it is of some help.

Jesse    TCA

Lionel never issued service pages for the bascule bridge, prewar or postwar. Just a parts list. The motors are different between the 2 also.

JERRY--- I HAVE A 22 PAGE BOOKLET "LIONEL NO. 313 BASCULE BRIDGE --MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS --INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS" I ORDERED FROM THE TCA --I WILL LEND YOU MY COPY IF YOU SO DESIRE--CBAT

Yes please send me a copy by all means. I really appreciate all your help. If it wasn't for your help there would be be a lot of stuff in the trash about four truck loads worth.

Best, Jerry 

SEND YOUR MAILING ADDRESS TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS--

CBAT,

Do you know whether the book on 313 Bascule Bridge is still available?  Would like to have same in my library for Lionel PW.

Thanks,

Jesse   TCA 12-68275

I've have twice been through the process of tearing down, rebuilding and selling the 313, and now I'm working on the third.  I'd be glad to share what I've learned.

The information on the Lionel instruction sheet and Greenberg's Repair Manual don't come close to having the needed information.  I found what I needed in "Toy Train Repair Made Easy" by Ray L Plumber. I had the good fortune to stumble on an excerpt from the book on Amazon or Google that just happened to be about the bridge so I didn't have to buy the book.  The lowest price on Amazon now for a used copy is $89.95.  A copy sold on Ebay for $12.50 on April 6, but that seems like a fluke.

I had two of the bridges from a collection that I was selliong on commission.  I completely disassembled both.  The means removing the the towers, gearbox, contacts, etc.  Then I rebuilt one using the best of each kind of part and got a very good price.  Then I assembled a second bridge and got a lower price because it didn't look as good.  The third I'm going to repaint (very rusty) and keep for my own collection.

Making the bridge work properly isn't easy.  I found the most difficult part to be adjusting the contacts for automatic operation and train stopping.  Reassembling is easier if you have three hands with small fingers.

I be glad to talk with you and help as much as I can from my experience.  Send me a private email - mlaughlinnyc@yahoo.com - and we can trade phone numbers and talk.  I can also send you the critical info from the book.

I didn't know about that 22 page TCA item that was mentioned.  But for me now, that's water already over the dam.

Malcolm Laughlin

Jerry A posted:

Yes please send me a copy by all means. I really appreciate all your help. If it wasn't for your help there would be be a lot of stuff in the trash about four truck loads worth.

Best, Jerry 

SEARCH OGR ---LIONEL 313 TO FIND 22 PAGE DOWNLOAD I FOUND IT THERE

cbat posted:

JERRY--- I HAVE A 22 PAGE BOOKLET "LIONEL NO. 313 BASCULE BRIDGE --MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS --INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS" I ORDERED FROM THE TCA --I WILL LEND YOU MY COPY IF YOU SO DESIRE--CBAT

 SEARCH OGR --- LIONEL 313 TO FIND 22 PAGE DOWNLOAD----I HAVE IT BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO ATTACH MY DOWNLOAD

cbat posted:

Jerry A posted:

Yes please send me a copy by all means. I really appreciate all your help. If it wasn't for your help there would be be a lot of stuff in the trash about four truck loads worth.

Best, Jerry 

SEARCH OGR ---LIONEL 313 TO FIND 22 PAGE DOWNLOAD I FOUND IT THERE

cbat posted:

JERRY--- I HAVE A 22 PAGE BOOKLET "LIONEL NO. 313 BASCULE BRIDGE --MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS --INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS" I ORDERED FROM THE TCA --I WILL LEND YOU MY COPY IF YOU SO DESIRE--CBAT

 SEARCH OGR --- LIONEL 313 TO FIND 22 PAGE DOWNLOAD----I HAVE IT BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO ATTACH MY DOWNLOAD

  I ORDERED IT YEARS AGO FROM TCA REFERENCE  LIBRARY---

texastrain posted:

CBAT,

Do you know whether the book on 313 Bascule Bridge is still available?  Would like to have same in my library for Lionel PW.

Thanks,

Jesse   TCA 12-68275

SEARCH LIONEL 313 TO FIND 22 PAGE DOWNLOAD--ALSO HARD COPY AVAILABLE  FROM TCA REFERENCE LIBRARY