Need help with 445 operating switch tower

[mpzpw3]

I think 445 is the correct number...Anyway, I recently got one and cleaned it up. The solenoid works every time, but the string gets held up everytime. I'm thinking of replacing it with nylon fishing line. Anyone have any ideas to help prevent the "dragging string"?

[Back2Trains]

I have one that had a similar problem. In my case, the man was sticking on the stairs. I put a little bit of LaBelle powdered teflon between the slide bracket and the stairs. I then worked the figure up and down a couple of times and it works perfectly now. The Greenberg Lionel Service Manual mentions that the hole where the string goes through the wall can wear which will cause the string to stick. The cure for this is to install an eyelet in the string hole.

[trigtrax]

The string is actually nyon woven fishing line..This comes in two flavors, waxed and unwaxed. Try rubbing a candle on the line to lubricate it.

[Anonymous]

I threaded mine with dental floos. Hey don't laugh, it works pretty good. The 2 guys in the switch tower get excellent , checkups at the dentist also. Easter.

[Dave45681]

I am not sure if the PW version is the same here, but on a newer model, (happened to be a burning variety, 6-12768) I found that the metal slider piece the "stairs man" was mounted to had some drag, and therefore there was not enough downward pull on the string.

I held the mechanical arm in so that the man could get all the way to the bottom of the stairs, carefully removed the slider and man from the stair track (did not need to remove them from the end of the string) and carefully bent the slider so as to make it ride the stairs smoother.

Works much better since then. Just another possible thing to try if you don't have luck with the other suggestions already offered.

-Dave