Help with wiring old Lionel Controller Etc

[Anonymous]

Hi, I got a great deal last weekend. I went to a open house and got a bunch of "O" 40" sections and a Box of "O" various track in very good condition for $20.00 They threw in an electrical junk box of goodies and a set of Graduated Trestles plus a bridge ! All of the wiring is dry rotted so I need to service and rewire the pieces. I know they are only 4 wires but is there a site where I could find correct wiring diagrams ?

This is what I have. (2) RCS-2 which is a track with 5 rails and a two button controller marked Uncouple and Unload.

Several old Lionel turnout controller some are single , some double 1/2 with small lamps and the rest with larger lamps.

Uncoupling / activating Track sections only about 2" long with a place for one wire/ several of those.

A couple of contact switches that operate of the weight of the train.

A bunch of Number 90 controllers, I think I can figure them out

And (2) old "O" switches. All of the items are "O" not "O-27". They have the black ties.

Before this all I had was fast track so it's all new to me. I understand wiring and electronics , but most of these have dry rotted or wiring that was cut off short, so a little insight into the correct wiring and function would be great. I think I have an older article from OGR or CTT about rebuilding "O" switches. Thanks in Advance for any info. Dave

Modeling the Reading in Anthracite country of PA in "N" and "O"

[lionelsoni]

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd1.htm

[phillyreading]

Hi, the RCS-2 uncoupling track uses mainly three screws, Lionel put four screws in there to run two electrical circuits. The power needs to be taken from the center rail and sent to one of the two rails for uncoupling, mainly it does not matter what type of switch except that it be a momentary contact or you may burn out the uncoupling solenoids in the car itself. Also the old Lionel 022 switches are dependable but need some cleaning
from time to time, wiring is easy but I know how to wire most of the older Lionel switches and accessories from the post-war era. To wire the 022 switch, the center post on the top of the switch is wired into the outside rails inside the switch, center post is the control wire for either straight or curve on the switch and the other two posts work the solenoid to throw the selector for straight or curve. Also on most 022's there is another plug to insert for constant voltage option, this can be wired to the center rail or to a fixed voltage post or output on your transformer.
MTH has some Reading freight cars that are nice quality, one I have is #7357 RBMN Reading & Northern hopper car.
Williams makes some nice GP-7's that run great & will not eat up your wallet.
Lee in south Florida, I used to live in Muhlenberg Township, North Reading & I like the Reading railroad.