Coal time

It would be cool to see a video or more of a description of how it works! The wood one looks awesome!

I will be doing that after this week. Just slammed in the shop getting out orders. I have attached a drawing showing some dimensions. The loader works like this. Two sets of sensors are below tower that look for front and rear of cars as they are pulled under the tower. To start loading a train, when engine is beneath the tower blocking both sets of sensors you push the activation button for a couple of seconds and release. There is a LED light on the bottom edge of tower that will turn on letting you know that the sensors are armed and looking for the next car (ie. coal hopper) As soon as the front of that car blocks the one set of sensors the hopper chute lowers and starts dispensing coal as the car moves though. When the rear of the car clears the back sensors the chute closes and the chute retracts until next car triggers again. And will continue fill cars until either the button is pushed again, stopping the filling of cars or until tower hopper is empty.

Al, isn't this basically similar to the engineering prototype you have had at the York show?

Yes it is Jeff, but we also added a few extra features from that.

@CSX Al posted:

I will be doing that after this week.

Good deal! Where can I catch the details? Your website?

Yes,website  same as bussiness name

Short video of flood loader

@CSX Al posted:

Short video of flood loader

Now that is pretty freakin' coal.  (Cool for those in Yorba Linda)!

Al, very nice coal loader!  Great operating accessory.

Thanks Marty & Craig!

Outstanding! Thank you for posting!

Holy Moses!

Wonderful craftsmanship. Ill be buying! Thanks for sharing and best of luck for your business.

Al, incredible accessory!  Are there any hoppers out there that won't work with it?

Al, that is a really great structure!!  Thank you for the video!!

Thanks everyone. Coach Joe, all hoppers should work with this. Although if you plan on using our rotary coal dumper, then you will need to use the hoppers with the rotating coupler on one end of the cars. I know Lionel released more of those cars last year and are still available at dealers. Here is a photo of the two flood loader options

In case those of you who haven't seen the dumper here is a photo of it

This is also built of aluminum

Can't wait to get mine!!!

@dk122trains posted:

Can't wait to get mine!!!

Al

What is the best type of coal( by brand name and size ) to use in your coal dumper and what is a good source ?

@hclark6345 posted:

Al

What is the best type of coal( by brand name and size ) to use in your coal dumper and what is a good source ?

Really you can use any kind of coal, from fake plastic stuff to real coal. I’ve used Brennan’s real coal mine size( I believe it is #3 or 4. Only downside to real coal is it does give off dust that blackens the inside of the cars.

Very Nice !!

Shipping time

@CSX Al posted:

Really you can use any kind of coal, from fake plastic stuff to real coal. I’ve used Brennan’s real coal mine size( I believe it is #3 or 4. Only downside to real coal is it does give off dust that blackens the inside of the cars.

Al - have you tried rinsing/straining the coal to eliminate the dust?

@CSX Al posted:

Only downside to real coal is it does give off dust that blackens the inside of the cars.

You mean just like the prototype?

Andy

@Mark V. Spadaro posted:

Al - have you tried rinsing/straining the coal to eliminate the dust?

Mark, the coal I have been using is from Dennis Brennan and it is pre-washed and the coal will continue to give off dust as it is moved from loader or the rotary coal dumper, like Andy said, like prototype.

If you want real coal with less dust and not a huge amount of shine, lay your coal out on paper and hit it with a matte finish hairspray. It’s not as smelly indoors as clear matter Krylon and you can put on extra coats if you do want them. (Also works on glitter houses and snowbanks at Christmas.)