Every Christmas I set up my 8' x 8' Lionel train set (circa 1956) for the grandkids.  Several years ago I bought a 153 IR controller (6-14111) to use with my Automatic Gateman (6-2145)  I have tried every which way to get this to work but just can't.  I'm not an Electrical Engineer but do understand electricity 101.  I sent the automatic gateman to a Lionel repair shop to have some parts replaced and it works fine.  I also had the 153IR tested and it works too.  Instead of the 153IR controller I am using a 153C controller.  The instructions say to use a 145C controller but the 153C works just fine. 
My question is:  Reading the instructions for the 153IR controller for the automatic gateman wiring I noticed it shows the automatic gateman model 6-12713 but mine is a model #6-2145.  Could this be the reason I can not get the 153IR to work?  I would think the wiring for the gateman would be the same to the 153IR regardless of the model number.
It seems like such a minor thing but it drives me crazy that I can't get it to work as it should.

Thank you Roger, I'll give that a try.