OPERATING ACCESSORIES-WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

i like the 97 coal loader and 164 log loader (mostly because they are two track accessories so you can unload to them and offload from them).

 

kids usually like the MTH fire station and the lionel milk car.

This is my vote.

 

All of them, really, but I do favor the #464 Sawmill and the #342/345 Culvert set.

K-Line Fisherman on a trestle

 

The AF Oil Drum Loader. I have the origional version and it works like a charm.

Lionel's Postwar

1) 264 Operating forklift platform.

2) 345 Culvert Unloader

3) 342 Culvert Loader

4) 175 Rocket Launcher

 

American Flyer's Automatic Sawmill

 

And from the LTI Era,

 

The Intermodal Crane, and Steam Clean and Wheel Grind Shop!

 

 

         

I was lucky enough to recently obtain the Lionel Operating Carousel for my Town Park, and now that I have it wired and operating (even though the park is still under construction) I'm sure it will be a real conversation piece amongst both children and adults.

 

REV

 

Gilberts American Flyer Gabe The Lamplighter.

Joe Hohmann I too like the AF Oil Drum loader.  I believe mine is not the original.  Had a picture of it in action.

 

Charlie

 

 

I've liked these for as long as I can remember, though I didn't get one til I was about 25:

 

 

J White

 

Magnetic Gantry Crane. Lots of fun moving "scrap' back and forth. Pretty trouble free too.

Hey Rev what did you use for your street material in your layout?  I like that look.

Mine is the oft-maligned 3656 cattle car and corral. It was dad's, and memories of it coming down from the attic at Christmastime with the other trains doubtless have something to do with my attraction to it.

 

But aside from memories, what other accessory has so much life in it? Those little steers practically stampede through the gates and in and out of the car! And you get value: 6 barrels, 7 culverts, but 9 - count 'em - 9 head of cattle came with the 3656 set!

 

As far as complaints that the thing is frustrating to operate, I just don't know: it works fine for us. Maybe 60 years of operating / tinkering this piece has yielded some sort of insight into 3656 psychology?

Choo Choo Charlie,

I don't believe your oil drum loader is an original either. Why, wrong colors.

-497 coal loader -Bascule bridge -Culvert loader/unloader -Icing station -AF drum loader -K-Line diesel fueling station

There seems to be a consensus forming here.  My favorites are theAD Drum loader, the 164 log loader and the 313 bascule bridge

 

Al

Back when I was doing Lionel I had both the #97 coal loader and the #164 log loader and loved them both,

 

EdKing

How does yours smoke?

 

Would be nice if there were a few standard gauge accessories that operated.   Maybe a crossing gate like the old Marklin models (and the one for MAXI).  And I'd love an enlarged version of the Flyer track gang.  Semaphore Sam, too.

Unfortunately those modern 840 power stations almost don't smoke. You certainly get the smell, but a meager wisp out of those stacks 

Has always been my favorite. 165 Magnetic Crane.

 

 

Not only mine, but every kid that visits!

 

- walt

I like my operating gantry crane.  It was really inexpensive, made from a junk crane car crane body (just like Lionel did!). 

 

The gantry was make from scrap plywood, copied and scaled up from the Lionel pictures I could find.  A fun project. 

 

I have no need to add wheels as I move it around to different spots and have no track for it.

 

Ladder is made from N gauge track, by removing the rails and cutting out every other tie with a pair of side cutter pliers.  The are many uses for ladders like this on a layout.

 

Charlie

 

 

Although I have few AF items this is still my favorite, beating oout the Lionel 175 rocket launcher by a nose.

Tom

So hard to name just one!  Probably the lumber mill.   It's what gets the most action from the kids.

 

--Greg

Hi Sean........

I use 1/8" Masonite for the streets. Here in Canada, we have a hardware store chain called "Home Hardware", and the carry a Spray can paint, called "Granite". It end up with a textured surface when it dries, so I sand it a bit to make it smoother before I apply the lane & parking lines, which is just the automotive pinstripe stuff. The sanding doesn't seem to hurt the colour, as a matter of fact, I think it looks a little more "roadlike" after it's sanded.

 

Here's another shot of the roads from a different angle. Glad you like the look, I struggled for quite a while before I ended up going this route.

 

REV

 

I've always liked accessories with height to them.  Some of my first were the Radar Tower and Control Tower.

 

Similar to that theme, I was very fond of the Airplane Pylon (modern) when it came out around 1999.  I'm also fond of the variants with 2 airplanes.  Only ones I have not taken an interest to were the Witch and Dumbo (I think).

 

Not sure if it's 100% my favorite, but I'm bring it up since I haven't seen any other mention of it.

 

If I was to vote based on obsessive collecting, for me it would be the Burning Switch Tower.

 

-Dave

The hobby shop, nuclear reactor, and the hobo tower are a few of my favorites!

I like my Lionel 362 Barrel Loader and the Lionel 3562 operating barrel car to give complete operation.

 

The 362 barrel loader is quite sensitive to the voltage to make those barrels tip and go up the ramp.  It also requires re-spoting of the operating barrel car to make room for more barrels.  All part of the fun with vibrator motors these two use.

 

Charlie

My 3 operating bridges: #313 bascule, #213 lift bridge, and the big Lionel swing bridge.  Also the banjo signal and the AF #785 coal loader.

 

John

 

Oil Drum Loader.  This one's a 6-12862 repro.  The 3662 Operating Milk Car is a close second.

 

Pete

The AF 787 Log Loader is a lot of fun and has been a favorite of mine.  Now that I have my Lionel Culvert Unloader/Loader placed, they have become my new favorites.

 

 

The repro 397 coal loader is a good one too...

 

 

The Lionel pylon is an easy way to add height to a layout. It has a small footprint.  I added a powered propeller to the plane and LEDs to the tower roof.

 

I am still enjoying my operating accessories.  They add so much action and things to do with the railroad layout. 

 

Lets see your favorite.

 

Charlie

I have to go with the Triple Action Magnetic Cranes and the Culvert Loader/Unloader.

My votes go to the American Flyer Oil Drum Loader and the Lionel #264 Operating Lumber Unloader. Both are always reliable and offer some prototypical action sequences.

From a dependability standpoint and flawless operation, I'd agree with some of the choices above.....AF Oil Drum Loader, AF 787 Log Loader, Lionel Rocket Launcher and Lionel Magnetic Gantry Crane.

 

But my absolute favorite and crowd pleaser is my Lionel Balloon Ride. Totally awesome, but delicate, so I end up running it for only a few minutes at a time. Always wary of that plastic gearing. But it's a GREAT accessory. 

 

-Roger

Roger Wasson,

For elevation, where did you acquire those simulated Stone Pillars ?

I like their realistic looks.

Thanks,

Bill B

 

My all time favorite.

 

Art

All of 'em!

I'm an accessory guy more than a loco guy.

 

Out of all of them, the favorites that I have are:

 

• Rocket Launcher
• Engine Transfer Table
• Gateman
• Radar Tower
• Milk Platform and Milk car

I pretty much like all of the over sized, noise making accessories.