Lionel # 623 A T & SF Switcher

[jfitz]

I'm restoring the 623 and nearing completion except for riveting some parts on. My question: the pick up shoe on the front truck needs to be replaced and that requires a rivet job and the wire to the couplers needs to be reattached to the lug. The shoe contacts the ucs and is energized by me pushing button.What does the shoe assembly contact to energize the couplers? I cant see how it strikes any thing up in that chamber. Schematics seem vague or is it me . Help!   jfitz

[lionelsoni]

The shoe touches the rail of the uncoupling track.  The shoe is wired to the coupler coil.  The other end of the coupler coil is attached (where you can't see it) to the drawbar.

[jfitz]

Thanks Bob.

Questions remain: The shoe assembly is made up of a shoe ,a rivet and shoe plate. Does a soldering lug get attached to the top of the rivet where one attaches the lead wire from the coupler? Is the shoe spring involved with this connection? Inquiring minds......jfitz

 

[sulafool]

 No lug, just solder to the rivet. The 2 finger spring is only mechanical, not electrical.

[jfitz]

Thank you sula! Finally I understand. jfitz