252 prewar engine wiring

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

This is my first post though I've been tinkering with postwar for decades.  I want to be upfront at the outset so I don't appear any more foolish in your eyes than I might.  At 60 I suffer from short-term memory loss and this cripples me to a small extent on remembering where to find train info.  So--two inquires from any one out there.  First: I recently acquired a very nice prewar 252 and its passenger cars. In cleaning it up for running I noted the light did not work only to discover the wire's disconnected inside.  Where does the wire connect?  I've been unable to locate a wiring diagram of the engine and am at a loss to know what post/screw it may go to.  The light works when I touch the wire to the rail si I just need to know where to tie it down at.  My second inquiry will help my memory a lot.  I subscribe to CTT and have amassed a nearly complete library as well as a similar set of O_ Gauge Railroading.  Now, are there indexes for all back issues?  I see in my current Feb issue of CTT that an index it bound in.  Is this so for all back issues?  Is there a CD-ROM index avaialble?  Again, excuse my seeming ignorance on what may rather simple inquiries, but I can not hang on to info real well.  My resolution for 2007--out of desperation--is to print and place in binders everything I need to use often.  Thanks, guys for any support you can offer.

Ken

[Anonymous]

While the entire wiring diagram is a little hard to

describe here, I can tell you that the light bulb

wire goes down to the center-rail pickup rollers.

You might have a bit of trouble getting in there

so follow the wire from the pickup rollers to the

E-unit, or brush plate and attach the light wire

to that. it will be the same. Usually this wire gets

detached because of the body being removed and

the solder joint goes bad. You were on the right 

track by testing the light. If the 252 has a hand-

reverse switch instead of an E-unit, attach the light

wire to the wire coming from the pickup rollers to

the switch. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!!!

I read your reply, printed--my memory and all--and went immediately down to my train room and fixed the light.  Fantastic! It now works marvelously.  I appreciate your help.

Ken