Scenicruiser #739 Restoration: Pull-Cord Switches and Holders

The Scenicruiser certainly has a lot of parts. Four of them are called the pull-cord switches. They are brushed aluminum-covered boxes with a rod and loop to which the pull-cord is attached. Those switches are at the front end just below each of the four luggage racks on the side wall. The cords themselves then snake back to the end of the lower level and to the upper level, running though 9 (upper deck) cord holders screwed to the wall.

When the chime switch to the left of the driver is on, pulling one of the cords activates the pull-cord switch and the chime sounds, letting the driver know a passenger wishes to disembark.

Pull-cord Switch

The covers pop off, so do not pry between the box and the wall to which it is mounted. Instead, pry carefully by the detent/hole and it will come off.

Pry Cover, Not Switch

Of course, be prepared for the accretions of 50+ years, including spider webs and various bug parts.

Switch with Cover Removed

To remove the switch, two screws holding down the wires must come off first. Then there are two screws holding the switch base to the wall.

Switch Removed

Typically, you won't have the cord attached to the loop coming out of the switch since those are usually long gone. If you pull on the loop, you'll see it's held by a very strong return spring. It's surprising how hard you have to pull to watch the hub contact touch the metal connector to close the circuit.

The cord goes to the back of that side of the deck through cord loops. Here's a look at one of them after removal. These might have been chrome plated, but it's a bit hard to tell. Not sure how I'll clean them up yet.

Cord Loop

Removing all the cord loops wasn't too bad, but some of those screws are locked in very tightly. However, with a long phillips screwdriver for leverage, I was able to crack and remove each one.