Glad to hear it is working and that is probably the simplest fix on a machine designed for 110 volts. Its interesting the schematic says you can wire the TX's in series for 240 volt operation yet your machine would not cope with it but other machines seem to? I would love to hear from an expert on why you were getting the strange voltages as this would also frustrate the hell out me. Why, why, why!!!!???

Interesting you bring that up.
I had been discussing this with my father (in the UK) who was an electronics engineer back in the 70’s.
When I told him about these US transformers wired in series, he almost disowned me! Started going into a rant with mathematical equations and I will admit, I tend to switch off and feel sorry for myself asking a stupid question of him. (We don’t get along to well). He was adamant that this form of set-up is a No No.

I will let him know that the stepdown did the trick, as he and Boots suggested in the first place.

It must have something to do with the only un-regulated 6.3VAC tap affecting the other regulated DC outputs? No, that still doesn't make any sense! How can voltages jump from one winding to another?
Maybe I have flaky transformers that will not tolerate the series wiring, or maybe others have not noticed (measured) outputs with an increase in solenoid power?
Would also be interested in hearing an expert opinion.