HH56 wrote:
Quote:

I have not worked on my 1956 yet but I understand that the boxes were quite different for 1955. Is it possible that one of yours is that type?

The switch operation and except for the bottom terminal area inside the box, are identical. The main difference between 55 and 56 boxes is external. 55 had 3 exposed screw terminals which could corrode when wet so for 56 they changed to bullet type terminals and enclosed them in a weathertight box. They also added two extra double contact tie point terminals in that enclosure to accommodate the change of limit switch type. A service bulletin was issued noting that when 55 switches ran out the 56 switch was to be used and a short pigtail needed to be ordered and spliced to the 55 loom to connect to the different style terminals.

On your boxes, if cleaning the contacts did not work it almost sounds like you would be a candidate for a solid state switch conversion. Since the Pacific Northwest Region no longer lists them on their projects page I don't know if they still handle them or who else might. Believe the work was done on an exchange basis but maybe someone else knows a source.

If not, the conversions seem to be relatively simple. Photos posted seem to show the original relays and bimetal elements were removed and two time delay relays used in place of the original components. I don't have a photo of the solid state box to post but Riki might have posted some on one of his project blogs. Since the conversion is so simple I know he was doing some research on available relays Amazon carries to find some that might work. Don't know if he actually found one or did a conversion yet but maybe if he sees this post he can answer. Amazon does have a pair of 10 second delay cube types that might work but without actually doing a conversion myself I cannot say for sure they would work or fit inside the switch box.

R H wrote:
I have not got to try the timing relays out.
But no reason they would not work.

The circuit board. A model train guy I know can make up a circuit board.

Then gerber file it to a pcb manufacturers..

Pretty cheap..

But also.

Was going to hit up hh56 about how to replace the solenoids with something solidstate.and heavy duty relays