Just found two of these. I think they operate to show depleting coal Not sure how they activate Not a MTH guy. Any ideas?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You need an operating track with the 5 rails. Any brand (Atlas, Lionel tubular, Fastrack, MTH, Gargraves, Ross).
This is because that car has the pickup shoe style contacts to energize the motor.
I modified mine in the past to put a whistle or bell based control and eliminated the pickups.
Attachments
thanks!
The manual for that car
Attachments
great thanks
well, OK, got the track now the issues is...one works...the other makes a buzzing/cranking sound like its trying to lift the load...I took the rubber coal off and peered into the body and cant figure out what is going on. Any ideas?
@Don Beck posted:well, OK, got the track now the issues is...one works...the other makes a buzzing/cranking sound like its trying to lift the load...I took the rubber coal off and peered into the body and cant figure out what is going on. Any ideas?
Yes, it's a motorized crankshaft driven and lever system to raise and lower the coal load. Most likely it is jammed but work case a gear may have split and jammed in the driveline.
You'd have to take the car apart. The way that works, there are 3 scres under the truck at each end that bolt the pivot plate to the plastic body and framework of the hopper. Once you remove the entire truck and pivot plate, then there are 2 more screws holding a plastic bracket and the rubber coal load at each end. Now you can unhook the coal load from the mechanism. Also, the entire motor assembly is also held with 2 more screws near the middle of the car. Just saying, this one is a challenge.
Attachments
OY Thanks for the education I'll just use it as a passive coal car Too much hassle Thanks