Signal help for the newbie

[scottso]

At the advise of another poster, I am moving this post here for your expertise!

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Greetings all.  I just pulled my father's 70+ year old standard gauge lionels out of my mother's attic for my kids to enjoy - as I did when I was a kid.  He always used to hook up a signal which would stop, and then ultimately release the train.

Problem is, my  father died a couple of years ago.  And while I still have the signal - he took the knowledge as to how it gets hooked up with him.  From what I can see it is referred to as a #78 block signal - it has a green and red light like a traffic light - and a three wire track connector.    I know the trick is insulating the track - but I can't remember how it is done.  Does anyone have any knowledge of this accessory and how it operates?

Thanks for any help to the new guy!

[chuck]

You should be able to download the instruction sheet from Olsen Toy Library.  You are supposed to insulate three sections of track using fiber pins.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=1043

[envfocus]

See the attached instruction sheets I copied from my Lionel prewar guide (Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Prewar Parts and Instruction Sheets).  If you need more detail or description, keep asking for more.  Like myself, I know others on this forum want to see your kids enjoy this layout.  Just click on the two images below and it should enlarge enough to be readable. The first describes the 78 signal while the second gives you a picture of how to position the lockon (i.e., the three wire track connector).  Hope this helps.

 

 

 

[scottso]

Man does it ever help, thanks for the fast replies and great detailed info!

Since you guys are in the know, I have another question I am going to post.