415 Diesel Fueling Station

My various service manuals and reprints only include the "public" instruction sheet for the #415. I do not have a #415 in my collection, by my understanding is that it is powered by the same type of vibrator motor used in the #128 Newsstand, #342 Culvert Loader, #345 Culvert Unloader, and #464 Lumber Mill. My service manual pages for the first 3 of these all refer to the sheet for the #464 as having the detailed explanation of the vibrator motor. All four of these accessories use an 11" to 12" string (specified to be "special de-waxed 12-lb. test braided nylon spinning line") attached end of the "motor" armature arm (more like an old electric door bell clapper arm), then makes 1 1/2 turns around the drive pulley, then attaches to a coil tension spring whose other end is clipped to the fixed end of the motor armature or the accessory base in this vicinity. Separate strings or lever arms or loops of 16mm film are used to convey the rotary motion of the drive pulley to the moving parts of the accessory on the other

4 accessories, so I would guess it is the same on the #415. These other 4 accessory service sheets are all in the "Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel trains 1945-1969", available from If the foregoing is not enough to help you fix the #415, contact me off-group and maybe I can provide more info. Gary Q

The 128, 342 and 345 all use same "string": Part # 345-80 "driveline" while the 415 fueling station, I believe, uses part #415-71, "cord assembly".

Ray H.

The 415 I have uses a solenoid to pull the "cord and moves the figure. The little lead "keeper is still on yhe cord but off the flywheel. I guess youy might be indicating that I wrap the cord around the flywheel shaft about 1

1/2 times and then connect it to the solenoid. Correct?

Thanks, Russ

I'm confused. If the #415 is operated by a solenoid (a coil of wire that pulls a metal plunger into its core when activated - as on the #145 Gateman or #151 Semaphore) then all my comments about a vibrator motor are not applicable. But if it is solenoid activated (i.e. a linear motion device), then I do not understand why the accessory would have a flywheel (which is usually a rotary motion device). I'll be at the York show Friday, and will try to look at a #415 there to resolve my confusion so I can better offer help. Gary Q

Gareth,

If you are able to find a 415 -- Please , please check out the bottom and the cord winding to the flywheel. I am certain it is connected to a a solenoid. It pulls the cord in as it is attached to a curved copper arm with a slot in it for what I call the lead keeper. I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

Russ

BTW-- The new diesel fueling station -- a model 1-2701 which is a copy of the 415 ( made in the 50's) DOES use a motor - not a solenoid. Here is the link:

Russ