If I understand my 1950 Lionel set correctly, the “A” terminal should connect to the outside rails and the “U” terminal should connect to the center rail
What are the “B” and “C” terminals for?
What does the Whistle and Direction command do to the signal(s)?
I think I have the unload function figured out but I haven’t figured out how the uncouple function works (yet).
Thanks.
With type 1033 transformers, B and C are the accessory connection posts, for things such as gatemen, rotary beacons, stations, ect.
The whistle/direction do nothing to the trackside signals, if that is what your referring too.
The unload/uncouple track section is a speperate track section used to unload operating cars and uncouple the couplers (as well as operating some cars). The unload section is a sperate section of track that is black and has four wires coming from it with a controller with 2 buttons, with one being uncouple and the other being unload. I’m not to sure of your question though, because the transformer does not control the operating track in any way with the exception of powering it…
Hope this helps.
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/transfmr/ps6.pdf lower right corner of page, one up from bottom.
Thanks all for the info. I should have mentioned that I do have the unload/uncouple controller and the track section for it.
The same Olsen’s site that my links take you to will provide a lot of info about many Lionel items and some other brands as well, including the operating/uncoupling track sections. Although the uncoupling section can be powered directly from various taps on the transformer, the customary way is simply to replace a section of the track with the uncoupling section. That way, the operating section gets the same operating voltage as the rest of the track, without any additional wiring. If the unload/uncouple controlel box is hooked up correctly, everything will take care of itself. (It’s only when there is a significant mismatch betwen the voltage required by the train and the voltage needed by the operating section that one needs to consider sending “special” power to the operating section.)
The 1033 transformer can be connected to the layout a couple of different ways. The usual way is to connect the U post to the center rail and either A or B to the outside rail. (This is different from the way many popular Lionel transformers, such as the ZW, are hooked up.)
The 1033 has two distinct throttle ranges. Using the U and A terminals, it will provide approximately 6 to 16 volts (variable) to the track.
Sometimes, it is necessary to provide voltage lower than 6 to the the track, or some accessory. Using the U and B terminals will accomplish this, but the high end is limited to about 11 volts; i.e., the throttle range is then zero to 11 volts.
The chart on the lower right hand page of one of the links shows what the various combinations of output terminals do. The variable taps are the ones controlled by the throttle handle. Other combinations provide “fixed” (constant, non-variable) voltages.to accessories or whatever you want.
Over the years Lionel has produced a number of systems for uncoupling car