Lionel coal tipple

Assuming that we are talking about the same thing (the "rotary coal dump"), mine self-destructed - right after I had built a custom in-table installation on the new part of the layout. Simultaneously, more or less, the gear(s) stripped and the clamping mechanism and track "table" area (supporting the car) jammed and jacked up.

The worse thing that Lionel has ever made, at least among their accessories with which I am familiar. Of course, I am not a big "operating accessory" fan, as the "operating" part usually disappoints.

I have figured out a way to make it a manual operation, as I do like the look of it, but repair one? Oh, no way. The refreshed one would be just as bad as the broken one. Uselessly complicated.

BTW, mine had "cycled" no more that 25 times over a period of months before it jumped off a cliff.

I wouldn't buy the Lionel one again but would buy this one from @CSX Al and Millhouse River Studios.  I bet you won't ever replace it.  Might cost more but it's worth it.

I have one sealed in the box, its currently in my storage warehouse, but hope to use it someday, since I have 2 of the Bathtub gondola sets and the BNSF set on order along with the other add on cars Lionel Made....

I have two of them on the layout.  Both were broken and got them for a great price.  Took the first one apart, learned a lot from that one, had a broken gear.  Used some J B Weld all was good.  Second one I bought didn’t work at all.  Turned out to be broken wires along with a bad cherry switch.  Learned a lot from that one too.  They are both working good now and use them when people come over to see the trains.  These are not for the faint of heart taking them apart.  Make sure you take pictures along with labeling all the screws that come out.  Also read some of the posts by doing a search for Lionel Tipple.  There is lots o good info here on it.  Sometimes you just gotta see how these accessories work and dig into them.  

I have one I purchased new and hope to install it on the layout soon, if it doesn't work I think it will still look good.

I'll replace it with a Millhouse one someday.

I wouldn't mind buying a broken one for the injection molded parts. I wonder why they had such trouble though.

lac1957.   Since you have had tipples apart.....  what would cause it to work as designed then on the 6th or 7th time refuse to release car. I thought I had it but NOOO    thanks 4 any thoughts   rick

A little bird told me you can see the Millhouse River Studio rotary tipple/dumper at York in the Orange Hall (Booth AA6), in action!  You might even get to see an engineering mock-up of the flood loader...

Has anyone repaired the track car sensor “cherry switches”? The lever on one of the switches was pulled out of the switch as the cardboard sheet covering the track got caught on the lever and pulled off the switch. Lever is still in one piece, but the “side arms” that go into the switch are bent up. I have not tried doing anything yet with the switch, but thought I would ask on this topic here. I have a replacement switch, but thought I would see if anyone has advice here.

Carl J

I had one of the Lionel coal tipples for many years and it worked flawlessly on three layouts before I downsized and could no longer fit it in. Always a crowd pleaser!

Carl J,

I replaced one of my cherry switches years ago. All I can remember is that it was a long road to travel to get to it and another long road to reassemble everything. I moved and have it in place on my new layout. I need to hook it up and see if it still works. 🤪

To get to the switches it is a process.  Not hard just taking just about all of it apart. If you are going to attempt it do as I did, take a picture of it and place each section in a box then label it.  It will help when you put it back together again.  The cherry switches are the last part and if I remember they are a little tough to figure out the wiring.  Go slow take your time.

Here is a reference that I used.

https://slsprr.net/features/tipple.htm

I second that motion laz1957. Take lots of photos and take your time. Good Luck👍🏻

LAZ57 & Kevin,

Thanks for your replies to my questions on the Coal Tipple. Yes, reading the various descriptions of folks totally replacing an entire “cherry switch” seemed pretty involved. Having read those replacement description steps, I was hoping I might be able to leave my original (electrically working) switch in-place and just replace the bent lever back into the switch. But maybe that is wishful thinking??

CarlJ

CARLJ,

  I did try and super gluing it in place it did work for awhile then broke again.  Be careful if you’re using the glue it might keep the switch closed.  Good Luck 👍.