Lionel Post-War Milk Cars

I don't have any 3462 milk cars yet, but have a small group of 3472s and a pair of 3662. I spent last week end loading milk cans on our modular display at a train show. While I slightly prefer the 3662 due to the higher number of cans it can hold, I don't see any real difference in performance between the different models. 

I have an original 3462 and it works well, but I think all the old PW accessories are very voltage sensitive.

Most have a sweet spot where they operate the best. I have all of mine on a KW transformer and use a cheat sheet to set the voltage for each accessory when showing my guests.              My 3462 is at 4:30 in this video     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtUMh4ec7bQ

TJ

Dan......I have:

3462

3472

3482

3662

and 3 of the modern 6-fiver number cars.

This is by no way scientific, but my 3482 has always worked the best.

Peter

TonkaNut posted:

I have an original 3462 and it works well, but I think all the old PW accessories are very voltage sensitive.

Most have a sweet spot where they operate the best. I have all of mine on a KW transformer and use a cheat sheet to set the voltage for each accessory when showing my guests.              My 3462 is at 4:30 in this video 

TJ

Great video, TJ

Peter

Was the video referring to the 1947 version of the 3462 Milk car? Some folks may not be aware that the milk car mechanism was redesigned in 1948.
I don't think I've ever had the early version of the car on my desk. I have had quite a few of all the other Postwar milk cars. They all seem to work about the same to me.

TonkaNut posted:

I have an original 3462 and it works well, but I think all the old PW accessories are very voltage sensitive.

Most have a sweet spot where they operate the best. I have all of mine on a KW transformer and use a cheat sheet to set the voltage for each accessory when showing my guests.              My 3462 is at 4:30 in this video 

TJ

Enjoyed your video immensely.  The sound effects are an added bonus.  Although with some of Lionel's noise makers they are not needed.....LOL

C W Burfle posted:

Was the video referring to the 1947 version of the 3462 Milk car? Some folks may not be aware that the milk car mechanism was redesigned in 1948.
I don't think I've ever had the early version of the car on my desk. I have had quite a few of all the other Postwar milk cars. They all seem to work about the same to me.

My car says New 3-47 which I know doesn't mean much sometimes but it has the thin metal doors which I thought placed it in 1947.

My car says New 3-47 which I know doesn't mean much sometimes but it has the thin metal doors which I thought placed it in 1947.

All 3462 milk cars have metal doors, so that doesn't indicate which mechanism is in the car.

The 3472, and 3482  also have a built date of 1947.
Some Lionel pieces have a built date that are close to when the car was introduced.

Gentlemen,

  Just fantastic, when I was a boy there was limited money for the accessories, we did have the operating Milk Car and the operating Cattle Car however, I still have them even today.  I dreamed of having the other bigger operating accessories, it was fun watching them work again, thanks for posting the video. Great memories for sure.

PCRR/Dave

I'm not sure about the 3462 but I have two 3472's on my layout.  They both eject the milk cans very well.  If you are having trouble with the cans falling over, I have found that original cans tend to have weaker magnets than the new reproductions.  Also, control the voltage to find the sweet spot where the cans eject properly.

Here is a video of my two 3472's unloading newer reproduction cans:

C W Burfle posted:

Was the video referring to the 1947 version of the 3462 Milk car? Some folks may not be aware that the milk car mechanism was redesigned in 1948.
I don't think I've ever had the early version of the car on my desk. I have had quite a few of all the other Postwar milk cars. They all seem to work about the same to me.

So how would I find out how the mechanism was changed in 1948 ?

Lots of great info here......thanks, everyone.

Peter

I have several Lionel Postwar operating milk cars, including the 3472 and 3482.

Is there a particular lubricant, substance or adjustment that gets the milk cans to consistently slide down and get into the correct position at the bottom so they consistently get ejected onto the platform?

What happens with my milk cars is the cans don't quite make it to the correct position at the bottom. As a result, I either have to jostle the can with a screwdriver to get it out, or hit the car with my hand so the cans are ejected onto the patform. Arnold