Haven't checked carefully, but what's the functional difference between these? Do the top two raise up and then dump the coal, and the bottom one just dump it after you pour the coal in the top?

Breezinup, 

top two are identical, they use a solenoid which is loud and not meant for serious multiple car loading. Bottom photo certainly looks different as far as mechanism, hence my interest in how it operates.  I would add a super structure that would hold either coal, cinder, aggregate (stone), ballast (stone) in a quantity so you could fill a minimum of 8-12 coal porters or hoppers.

An aspect you should also consider is if the added weight from your additional holding "bin" could cause the mechanism (whatever it turns out to be) to function differently(or not at all with the additional weight). 

Opening a latch with the weight of an amount of coal that fills the bin could work differently if you add the extra weight of enough coal to fill 8-10 cars.  The "as drawn" picture looks like it's pretty shallow, even if full.  Adding storage could change the mechanism functionality.

Or it could be fine.  Something to consider though.

-Dave

Yup, well aware of that. The weight of the product used as fill(coal, stone, gravel, gypsom,ore) comes into play also. I've done many many operating sessions where I just simply enjoy the loading of hoppers, assembling unit trains, running up to the loading docks, loading into freighters on the Great lakes or using rotary dumpers, then running back to the West Virginia mines. I just love it. Controlling the flow rate, the fill rate, the fill level etc...... I Just find enjoyable. I've paid attention to structures and fill material on the several I've operated. I'm not worried about the structure so much as the way the chute is opened and closed.

Everything I've operated on is in the HO scale, so I'd like to just "scale up" the same operation.

breezinup posted:

Haven't checked carefully, but what's the functional difference between these? Do the top two raise up and then dump the coal, and the bottom one just dump it after you pour the coal in the top?

 

The new PnP dumper (that you have in your 3rd image) is just that. A dumper with no loading mechanism. You would have to feed it on your own.

I picked up a new (yes, sealed) coal loader/unloader as in your first image. This has a little trough that comes down one of the sides and parks next to the car. You would then activate the unload function and it would dump into it. The trough then goes up the side, into the roof and dumps it inside.

The new reproduction is exactly the same operation with the introduction of more plastic bits and FasTrack activator rail.

Had one on our layout when kids were young and used to have several dump cars in consist filled with M&Ms .

The postwar vesrion built from 1953 to 1958 used a heavy duty modified pullmor motor that worked excellent each and every time pulling up the bin which was constantly operated with out any problems.

The solenoid was used to just dump the shute quickly.

Fun to watch the kids use it now have it packed in its box.

M&Ms long gone from its bin.  ; )

Edit - the Lionel 6-2315 does not use the pullmor type motor.

Stone Rhino posted:

breezinup posted:

Haven't checked carefully, but what's the functional difference between these? Do the top two raise up and then dump the coal, and the bottom one just dump it after you pour the coal in the top?

 

The new PnP dumper (that you have in your 3rd image) is just that. A dumper with no loading mechanism. You would have to feed it on your own.

I picked up a new (yes, sealed) coal loader/unloader as in your first image. This has a little trough that comes down one of the sides and parks next to the car. You would then activate the unload function and it would dump into it. The trough then goes up the side, into the roof and dumps it inside.

The new reproduction is exactly the same operation with the introduction of more plastic bits and FasTrack activator rail.

The older versions sound like they're a lot more interesting to operate.

breezinup posted:

The older versions sound like they're a lot more interesting to operate.

They are! But the new MTH dump cars do not like it (The tubular activator rail). The cars are either too long, or dont hit the 4th and 5th rails right. Also, its really good at making a mess, so keep a vacuum handy if you're a member of the Living Room Floor Club.

The new "Dumper" is just a solenoid with a trap door. Please forgive me, but IMO 180$ retail is absurd for something so simple as the 6-81315. The modern reproduction last I saw, ran about 250-300 if you can find one.