Wabash Brakeman Blues

[gottcent]

When I was a kid in the 50's, I thought the 3424 Wabash Brakeman car was the coolest thing going. I loved the way he ducked down when coming to a tunnel or other overhead obstacle, and the way he popped up again when the obstruction was cleared. But I could never afford to get the car. Years later, I finally landed my own 3424, and thought I would return to paradise. But no--the car has been nothing but trouble. Actually it's not the car itself, but the two metal rails which have to be inserted into the track (in my case, O27) to make the thing operate. Trouble is, those rails cause havoc with many other cars that pass over them. Cars with slide shoes catch on them, cars with roller pick ups short out, and now I wonder if the Brakeman car is worth all its trouble. So my question is--is there any other way to operate that car without installing those extra metal rails? Any combination of rewiring, insulated track sections, or the like? I'll appreciate any help. Thanks.
John Gottcent

[Big_Boy_4005]

Are you sure you have the right set of activation blades??? There are O and 027 versions. If you use the O version with 027 track it will be too tall, and things will catch on it.

[gottcent]

Thanks for your note. I'd thought about that, but yes, I am using the O27 (versus O) track inserts. Do you know if the newer re-issues of this car use the same operating system as the 3424?

[trigtrax]

The brakeman car has a special shoe.. The contact cut in it is narrower than a normal Lionel operating shoe. The car trips when the contact shoe closes the circuit to ground. In the days when it was made there was only Lionel in O-Gauge and I've never had a problem with mine.. Since that time more manufacturers and variations in product have caused this and other compatability issues. Try running the car with other equipment from that era and see if you still have problems.