Lionel 3472 milk car

I'm getting about 3 or 4 out of seven standing usually, occasionally I get all 7 standing up straight.

Gee I Dunno . Was the 3472 tinplate made before 1942?

I usually get 6 or 7 to stand on a good day.

Some of the milk cans have magnets in the bottom to grab the steel platform and stand upright.

I taped open the spring loaded pin that is  just inside the loading door, so I can load 8 milk cans.  Most of the time all 8 remain upright.  To be successful you need to control the voltage so that the cans don't come out too fast or too slow.  Here is a video of mine showing 16 milk cans unloading successfully.  I am using reproduction milk cans and the magnets are stronger than the original ones.  And I added a thin piece of clear plastic to the top of the unloading platform, so the cans slide easier and to help keep the magnets from stopping the cans directly in front of the car doors.  I repainted one of my 3472 cars as Twin Pines Dairy.  This is the dairy I remember delivering in my area when I was young and which was advertised on the Detroit area TV stations in the 1950's on "Milky's Party Time" kids show.

quote:

Some of the milk cans have magnets in the bottom to grab the steel platform and stand upright.

"027" milk cans are turned metal, and have a magnet inserted in the base.

"0" milk cans are plastic with a metal base.

Generally the cans are not interchangeable. the "0" cans are for the 3662 and 3672 milk and Bosco cars.

The "027" cans are for the 3462, 3472, and 3482 milk cars.

I think all Modern era milk cars are copies of the "0" gauge car. I don't think they made an 027 milk car.

David,

Nice operation there. Thanks for posting the video.

Love the Twin Pines car, sign and Divco.

I don't see your email in your profile so I sent you a PM via YouTube.

Jerry

It's all about controlling the voltage. Once you tweak it and find the "sweet spot" you can get all cans standing on a fairly consistent basis.

I have a 3472 milk car and it was hit and miss, most of the time the cans did not stand upright, and many fell between the car and the platform.

Since I operate MTH DCS and Lionel TMCC, I decided to convert the car to TMCC remote control.

I ordered the Milk Car Kit from Electric Railroad Co, owned by Lionel. The conversion allows me to locate the platform anywhere on the layout without having to install a USC track. 

As for track power, even if it's turned up to full power, the ERR kit has a preset lower voltage that gives much better control of the cans.

It was easy to install, no technical experience is necessary. And what I like about it, I can dump the cans anywhere on the layout I want without having to re-arrange the track and installing a USC everywhere I have a platform. So far, I have 2 different locations where I can dump the cans. And I am looking to pick up another platform for a 3rd. location.

If you are using TMCC, I highly recommend this product.

Check it out at Electric Railroad's web site: http://www.electricrr.com/index.htm

RAY

Ray,

Does it still buzz like that with the ERR board?

Carl,

The noise you hear is when the man opens the doors. I don't remember what it sounds like using the USC track, but I don't think it is objectionable. So you don't hear any sounds generated by the USC track. 

Remember, these are toy trains, not scale. But to be able to have several milk platforms on a layout, or to be able to move the platform without any concern of a USC track is great.

Then there is the issue of making sure the car is properly set on the USC track. If you miss the exact spot, you have to back up or go forward to reset the car.

With the ERR remote, it doesn't matter where the car is on the track. In fact, what I really like is that I can dump a can or 2, then more the car half an inch and continue to unload milk cans.

So if you, or anyone else is operating the milk car with either the Lionel TMCC/Legacy base or even an MTH DCS system, the ERR will work with both.

Give Ken a call at ERR and he will fix you up.

RAY

I agree!

Please don't get me wrong. If someone is operating these cars in conventional mode, then yes, I agree that lowing the voltage is the best way to go and I have done that prior to converting to TMCC. 

But those that are using TMCC, or DCS, that operate milk cars (Lionel or K-Line) or barrel cars could use the ERR product for improved operation - in my opinion.

I certainly don't want to take anything away from the post war enjoyment of these cars. These are fun to operate, and I get a great deal of satisfaction when my grandsons come over and play with my milk cars, log loader and ice loader.

RAY

You can still alter the voltage in Command Mode.  You just have to run the power lead from the track to your variable accessory voltage tap! (Wire Number 3 from the Controller)

http://www.lionel.com/media/se...ents/70-5530-250.pdf

Jon

I'm batting .1000, 7 for 7.