Post war 362 barrel loader- opinions

Oldrob,

I love this piece.  Tips, Make sure it is aboslutely level.  To get the most out of it you will need 2 remote/uncoupling tracks.  One for the unloading and then another for the reloading.  Also you might find the figure to be about 9' tall.  I got rid of mine and put a more scale figure to O gauge to make it look a little better.

Paul Edgar

Rob:

Yes it’s a neat accessory when operating correctly.  Others may have had good experience with the original post-war units but if operation is really important to you I suggest you buy the modern Lionel remake.  I have one of each on my layout so I’ve used both.  The remake looks identical but works much more smoothly.  I’ve had a few used post-war units over the years that I couldn’t get working reliably as they tend to get of adjustment after a few years of usage.  Then they have to be removed from the layout to adjust and the adjustment is very sensitive. 

HTH,

Bill 

oldrob,

First of all, it is a great accessory. I know what you mean about just collecting accessories. I like to pick out a few that I really like and will add the most to my layout. Otherwise, the layout can end up looking like of of those Lionel displays they used to sell the things.

Secondly, I tend to agree with Bill. I have a 362 but it's the modern remake. Works great! 

Although my collecting (accumulating) is now almost completely PW, when I returned to O in 1995 my focus was almost completely on operating accessories. The postY2K barrel loader is one of the successful remakes only because is relies on a PW vibrator design (as apposed to those post Y2K accessories by all manufacturers that are built around circuit boards and micro switches). You might want to consider the Y2K series rather than the PWs.

For best operation, use two different variable voltage circuits - one for the loader; the other, for the barrel car. First, unload the barrel car. Then move the car under the flap on the loader. Watch the barrels vibrate up the ramp. As each barrel falls into the car, move it up. After 2 or 3 have fallen into the car, stop the loader. Turn down the voltage on the car. Use just enough to make the barrels snug up against each other. Then load the rest. It takes some practice, but the whole car can be filled with barrels.

Reading Fan is correct.  Use two separate variable voltage circuits.  My PW barrel loader has been working flawlessly since 1955, and it has never been adjusted in any way.  As long as you can vary the voltage, you can make the loading and unloading very smooth.

Mine is very reliable too.  It's been screwed down on the layout since 1971.

I use a 1019 track positioned centrally that allows operation of the barrel cars at either end of the ramp.  Some folks use two OTC lockons.

The ramp is powered off of a variable tap of a 1033, at a pretty low voltage.  The car is powered off variable track voltage.

I just hooked up my barrel loader that had been on the shelf for quite awile. I have it wired to a variable voltage. I could not find a good spot for it so I have it dump the barrels in a "scrap pile". I paced a few staples on each barrel. I now load them back on the platform using a magnetic crane. I'm thinking of making a logger chute so the barrels can drop into a K-line remote dump car. It works very reliably and is the PW model. 

Thanks for all the great replies guys. I will go ahead and make the purchase.

Rob