So, if the reason to get these is to have the coal load empty out of the bottom of the car and you dont have the Lionel operating coal ramp , then what? The Coal load just dumps out on the track where the magnet lies on the track?
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You need to buy a O Gauge Lionel 456 coal Ramp Accessory. Ebay has several. You have the cheaper and easy part, the car.
Charlie
I know. I have no room for that!
I bought a 456 coal ramp on an auction site without really knowing too much about it. Yep, it's big. I won't be using it either. It's not particularly easy to operate either. If you're going to allocate that much space for an accessory, the 364 lumber loader seems to be more fun, for me at least.
@Don Beck posted:So, if the reason to get these is to have the coal load empty out of the bottom of the car and you dont have the Lionel operating coal ramp , then what? The Coal load just dumps out on the track where the magnet lies on the track?
Assuming your track doesn't have a built-in roadbed, elevate that section of track with trestles.
I happen to enjoy these cars. What I did was to have a short run of trestles (2-3" high) with the operating track at the midpoint. You can place a small collecting bin underneath the operating track or cut a hole in the table and collect the coal in a "hidden bin". Adding some additional accessories in the area complete the "Coal Yard" effect.
Good idea! I'll try that Any pictures?
What kind of track system are you using?
You may want to look at using an electromagnet on a fairly open rail, maybe use the old style 027 remote control track. Remove the electromagnet from the 027 track and mount in your track system. Try to remove some of the RR ties, etc. and figure out mounting. That way, the coal load can pass through the rails into a pit area. No need to elevate the track if a pit is installed. Just a thought.
Lionel Fast Track
They make transition track from Fast Track to a more open design. So you could transition to tubular track and back again.
Do a search using "0-27 gauge remote control track 235".
I have Gargrave, and I have used the electromagnets from the O27 remote control track and mounted those on side spears to uncouple cars.
It would take some work, but would be neat when done.
@DaveGG posted:They make transition track from Fast Track to a more open design. So you could transition to tubular track and back again.
Do a search using "0-27 gauge remote control track 235".
I have Gargrave, and I have used the electromagnets from the O27 remote control track and mounted those on side spears to uncouple cars.
It would take some work, but would be neat when done.
I like this suggestion! @Don Beck, you could get either the Lionel 6-5149, K-Line K-235, or Williams by Bachman O-27 uncoupling track, and an O-27 half-straight to put the end of the uncoupling track that has the electromagnet. Remove the ties on either side of the electromagnet and put a 5" FasTrack O Gauge Transition track (6-12040) on either side of the O-27 track. The pins O-Gauge pins are a little larger than O-27, but you can ream out the O-27 rails to get the pins to fit.