Need a Cool Operating Accessory

I like log and coal loaders for operating accessories.

I also have the nuclear reactor, oil derrick and lemax merry go round.

Lemax has many operating motion buildings that look good on O layouts.

I have 2 granddaughters, four and five  that like the icing station over the milk car and cattle car.  Works well, easy for them to load and operate, and it  is an  active versus passive involvement.

The mth operating McDonald's is as modern as you can get for an accessory

 The ford SUV is late 90's.

How about the Lionel Ford car dealership? And get the k-line version for the service garage as well as the Ford rotating sign. String those mini multi color LEDs that big craft box stores sell during Christmas time as lights over the used car lot and you have one heck of an accessory.

i like the intermodal loader

I prefer the Mel's Diner over the McDonalds. Better animation.

I like PRRHORSESHOECURVE suggestion . I am planning on doing just that on my next layout  . Great minds think alike !!!!    The only fly in the ointment is the outlay in cash . The Lionel Ford Dealership is probably a $300.00  + item , the Kline Ford showroom is at least $200.00 and the Kline revolving sign is about $100.00 . I have all of these items , which is good for me . However , I think you can come up with something more creative to amuse the little ones for a $ 600.00 outlay .Just my FWIW. Jim

Are you looking for visual appeal or an interactive type for children or visitors?

The new Scorpion coaster would look really cool. Paired with the Lionel balloon ride (hard to find) would have a really nice look. They would leave room for a ticket booth and concession stand or perhaps a LeMax ferris wheel.

Every one of them needs a volume pot cuz they are way too loud

I would put a amusement park.

I guess my idea of cool is a little different from yours. My top five are all based on postwar classics. I think there have been modern reissues of all of them. Some may be in current production.

1. The 264 forklift lumber unloader
2. The 464 sawmill
3. The 342 & 345 culvert loader and unloader combo
4. The 352 ice depot
5. The American Flyer barrel loader

One thing that all of these have in common is, they all need to be located within easy reach, because they all have to be reloaded after use. The accessories in this list offer "play value" where most of the modern ones mentioned here so far, just have motion.

An industrial area with classic postwar accessories... Now that is a good idea

My favorites are

1. the Forklift lumber loader.

2.Bethlehem Steel clamshell gantry crane.

3. AF Oil Drum loader.

Great ideas.  Keep them coming!  The Ford dealership is a great idea.  I'm not sure if I want to spend $500 to make it happen.  But I did some searching and really like that accessory!   I like a lot of the industrial suggestions.  I have a smaller area on my layout that I have room for some loaders.

Moonman posted:

Are you looking for visual appeal or an interactive type for children or visitors?

The new Scorpion coaster would look really cool. Paired with the Lionel balloon ride (hard to find) would have a really nice look. They would leave room for a ticket booth and concession stand or perhaps a LeMax ferris wheel.

 

 

I prefer interactive but it could be visual if it's a really cool accessory.     The coaster I was looking at from CoasterDynamix was the Comet/Cyclone.   It's too expensive on their website.  If I do go that route I'd try to pick it up at TCA.    I didn't see the dimensions on the Scorpion.   I'll have to check it out.  I like the idea of a small amusement park. 

By the way, the list I gave you earlier, weren't just my favorites, they were the public's favorites too.

In 1992 - 93 I has a little public display at Mall of America called enterTRAINment. In the 14 months it was open, we had over 100,000 paid visits.

You're building a TRAIN layout, right? All of those accessories interact with the TRAIN.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

By the way, the list I gave you earlier, weren't just my favorites, they were the public's favorites too.

In 1992 - 93 I has a little public display at Mall of America called enterTRAINment. In the 14 months it was open, we had over 100,000 paid visits.

You're building a TRAIN layout, right? All of those accessories interact with the TRAIN.

I do like the forklift.  It's a really nice accessory.  I have a much smaller industrial area that would fit the forklift nicely.   

Just an update.  I purchased a coaster at TCA!  I plan on buying a few Lemax rides to put around it as well.

Oh man you should have hunted down a rotary coal tipple... always wanted one, but no room! The last one was canceled so it would be a great find with lots of action in my book.

J Daddy posted:

Oh man you should have hunted down a rotary coal tipple... always wanted one, but no room! The last one was canceled so it would be a great find with lots of action in my book.

I didn't see this accessory in any  of the halls.  However; it could have been there.  So many tables.....

I did not see it at York, this is more of a search and destroy item on the bay. You have to be patient, they come up from time to time.

The fan favorite on my layout is the Lionel Madison Hardware hobby shop.  It's the one with the three operating miniature layouts.  Also has blinking duel traffic signals.  Second, is the older McDonalds with the perfect signs, roof, and the Ford Explorer.  The loaders are very cool, but not as attractive to the fans.  Sorry for the fuzzy pics, but they look clear on my computer.

I'd also love to add a coaster, but...

Jerry

My favorite accessory on my layout is the Lionel Hot Air Balloon Ride. VERY cool accessory. But pricey now (there's two on the 'Bay now). I got mine years ago for a relative song, but it's always been a "crowd favorite". 

Roger

I have a few Lemax rides vthryre pretty cool. Don't know if I'll be able to use them on the layout as things have changed. Keep an eye peeled. 

Mike

Panther97 posted:

....

Baseball Diamond:  I love sports but not sure if they have any sort of operating players out there.

i like the idea of baseball.  a friend of mine has a rather large farm field and i keep suggesting that it would be a perfect place to setup an impromptu pickup softball game.

if you have this sort of room, though, i've seen a few Drive-Inn movies modeled.  small LCD screens are available to screen actual movies and entrances often had lighted/ animated signs.  i know of nothing available out of a box, but it's far from a difficult scratchbuild and also gives you a nice place to show off autos.

cheers...gary