Wiring a Lionel 151 Semaphore

The Lionel 151 semaphore is a postwar accessory that is usually wired with a Lionel 153 contactor. This will lower the semaphore for a few seconds when a train passes and then it flips back. However, in case you do not have such a contactor, you need to think of something else. This took me a while. But I found that the Finder 26.01 impulse relay is well suited to do the job.

For the moment I use a contact switch to the impulse relay, but I am busy to place two reed contacts between the rails to switch the relay.

The first tests with the reed contacts were good. I just have to form two wooden blocks to position them on the correct height, so that they are in close proximity to the magnets under the engines.

The only downside of the Lionel 151 semaphore is the large amount of current that runs through its electromagnetic coil to engage the signal arm downwards. It does sound like something is getting toasted. True old-fashioned tin-plate! Luckily it doesn't smell toasted.