Culvert loader / unloader

Hi RL NYC,

  I just bought the Lionel Bethlehem Steel Culvert unloader and loader.  This is one very cool accessory.  I have used it for 3 fridays now and it works real good.  The only problem I have had is with the unloader.  It has a tether that goes from the lit building to the arm that works the magnet.  That was getting caught on the building when returning with the culvert.  Very easy fix was to get a snap tie and tie it down on leg of building, now works great.  There are adjusters that move the cherry switch in or out but I didn't have to do it.  Look here on the Lionel site or Youtube for the loader and unloader.

http://www.lionel.com/Customer....cfm?documentID=6390

 

They are lots o fun and so is the Legacy system.

laz57

Welcome to the forum!

I too have both of the newest releases in Bethlehem Steel.  Mine have been re-lettered for Lionel Steel.

Both the loader and unloader work perfectly.  Lots of fun.  If you and your boys like operating accessories, it doesn't get much better than these culvert items.  These and the gantry crane are really close for fun factor.

If you should have an issue with yours, look up Lionel's videos on troubleshooting these two products.

Welcome to the forum.

 

A popular item on my layout is alway the crane. I have a simple mechanical one from way back by K-Line. Labeled ACME of course.

The kids fight over operation of the crane if I am not careful about delegating tasks.

 

So get a Crane too !

Gantry, tower, or Car, they are all wanted.

The magnetic ones are a better option, a thumbtack in many items will allow you to easily move it with the magnet, when the child may have trouble with the hook.

For using the hook I bought a bunch of small screw eyes, I screw them into various things for the hook crane to pick up.

 

Bottom Line?  Have Fun !

Thanks all for the feedback.  We have the regular (non-magnetic) gantry crane I had as a kid in the 80s.  They love it but they need help hooking things, so I appreciate the feedback on tricks to make that toy more accessible for them.  I will also look into getting the Bethlehem Steel loader / unloader.  Many thanks, again.

F-V Trains has one and I thought it was wonderful.  It worked perfectly and was a lot of fun.

We too have the most recent releases of the pair. Had to send them back initially due to board failures but they've been fine ever since.

Great action.

If you are interested in a Post War version. I have a set that I am selling. Both work great. Comes complete with boxes, inserts, cars and culverts.

 

If interested e-mail me at wheeler359@gmail.com

 

Gene