Hello, this is my first post here and for sure to not be the last since purchasing my first Lionel train set a few days ago. I’ve done a lot of things in my 51 years except own a Lione Train set, but I digress!! Anyway, it’s a Union Pacific 2-4-2 # 8633. The powerpack that came with it will only run the train. I plan on upgrading to a larger Xfrmr to run accessories later. I am wondering is there anyway to operate a 145 Lionel Gateman with the powerpace that I have? Thank you and you experts: plan on me bugging you here for a long time, ha!!! Regards,
First welcome and glad to see you here. Yes theres many ways but need a little help first how do you want to run it automaticly as train goes by or by push button. Auto (I’m guessing you have the new fast track) they have track pieces (your local hobby shop should have ) that you can run accesories from) or you can get sensor (infra red) they sell them at you l9cal hobby shop also or you could run 2 wires from you transformer to the unit with a break in one with a push button. Ask any questions we may have answer most befor but 99% of us don’t mind as it means new blood in the hobby and you probally have a grandson that will enjoy coming over to see grand pop and his trains
Thanks for the kind welcome! First of all, no I don’t have the new fast track. The track that came with the set is the old (i’m guessing) “O” guage.It was clean and very well taken care of and the train runs smoothly over it.
I think the best option would be to control the gateman with the break you are speaking of. Although, I am totally needing guidance as I don’t understand how I can run it with the powerpack that came with the set since there are no accessorie hookups.
Okay I’m guessing you bought a used set I was thinking a new set. you have a couple of ways of doing it first off the 145 gateman will run of the same power your train does and it really won’t rob you power to your engine. You can get a 145C which acually is a pressure switch that goes under the track and if you use it or a push button the same hook up just subsitute one for the other okay from your gateman run one wire to one post on transformer so you have 2 wires coming off that post one to track one to gateman. ( you acually could get another hookup (lionel ctc lockon) and run the wires from it instead of the transformer. (wouldn’t matter either way) then the second wire from the transformer/lockon to the push button/145C and then a wire from the connector of the push button/145C to the other post on the gateman. now if you use the 145C you will put it under your track and when the engine runs over it it will make the gateman opperate there is a adjusting screw on it for how soon the man operates. You can email me by clicking the contact button above but if you do please include your email address so I can email you back
Thanks fellas for the help and getting me started. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn. At least I can have an O guage Lionel around the Christmas tree complete with a 145 Gateman, telephone poles and a smokin caboose. That’s a start, right?
The catalog number of the 4-4-2 UP steamer is 18633; it came in the 11736 Union Pacific express set (1993-95) along with a flatcar with trailer, three-dome tank car, box car, searchlight car, and illuminated caboose, all marked for the UP. The set also included enough O-27 track and a 90-degree crossover to make a figure-eight layout, a tractor for the trailer, a crate load, a short extension bridge, two highway grade crossings, and a 25-Watt transformer.
The transformer only has to supply enough power for two lights, the smoke element, and the loco’s motor, so I expect there would be enough power to activate a 145 gateman (as long as the gateman solenoid moves freely).
You could use the contactor that comes with the gateman, but it tends to be hard to adjust, expecially when the tracks are on a carpet. A better method would be the use of insulated track, as shown here: http://www.lionel.com/media/servicedocuments/71-2840-250.pdf
If you want to activate the gateman on a curve, or simply want to modify one of your straight sections, careluuly pry up the tabs that hold one of the outside rails in place. Using thin cardboard for insulators, wrap a small piece under the track where it was held by the tabs, replace the track section, and carfully crimp the tabs back. Don’t crimp too tightly or the tab will pierce the carboard. Note the insulators on the center rail and use them as examples. Don’t forget the insulating pins. Toothpicks can be substituted as long as the rail ends don’t touch adjacent track.
Also, you don’t need a lock-on to wire the gateman to the track. Use solderless (crimp-on) ring connectors on the wires. Insert one into the slot in the bottom of the center rail, and the other in the slot in the bottom of the i
Here’s a diagram showing two methods of connecting that have been described above. One is powered by the track and the other is powered by an accessory post off the transformer.
Thanks for the drawings they will help. If I do end up using them I will first have to get the insulators that are shown. Now, there was a person, DUB I think was his name sent me a link to a site that shows some good tips as far as getting started. Well, I must have deleted it…can someone redirect me there? It was a site that orientates a novice and shows some layouts like ovals, figure eights etc. Again, thanks in advance. Regards,
Assuming you have O27 track, the easiest thing to do is pick up an insulated section from your hobbly store - you can use 2 or 3 so that the gateman is triggered a little before the train gets there. Then just wire the gateman to a lock on (I use a short piece of speaker wire) and attach the lockon so that the outer rail contact is on the insulated rail (version 1 in the diagram above).
You can find a lot of beginner info at http://www.thortrains.net/. There’s enough here to keep you busy reading for a while.
If you want add some village buildings you get some pretty cheap at Walmart, and get big bag of trees at HD. My local Walgreens even has some ceramic buldings for $10 and the various figures, etc for a buck or 2.
