I bought one of these in the original box about a year ago at a train show for $10. I’ve haven’t put it together yet, so I really enjoyed your video! I think it will be a cool accessory on a siding. I also picked up an Athearn automatic crossing gates in original box. I love finding these old accessories.
It looks like the lever causes many derailments. With some creative engineering of the lever mechanism, a person could convert it to manual operation with some kind of cable to activate the ratcheting mechanism. This would eliminate the derailment issue. Also, I noticed the amount of material being dispensed. The amount seems more appropriate for a 2-bay hopper.
Thats insane! I never knew Athearn even made something like this! I can definitely see why this accessory would be a pain to use with the lever coming in contact with the hopper. Cool episode, Dan!
Another good coal loader was made by Gilbert American Flyer, it stands on the side of the track and is electrically operated, They also made a hopper unloader and hopper car, these haven't been made since 1963 but they can still be found on Ebay and train shows
Nice video! I really like the concept of the mechanical actuation but I agree that it’s temperamental at best. Would be neat to modify one though. Looking forward to more operating accessory videos!
We should do a collab 🥶, epic video
I bought one of these in the original box about a year ago at a train show for $10. I’ve haven’t put it together yet, so I really enjoyed your video! I think it will be a cool accessory on a siding. I also picked up an Athearn automatic crossing gates in original box. I love finding these old accessories.
Let's go!
I feel like adding weight on the hoppers would help a little. That’s my guess but still pretty cool.
It looks like the lever causes many derailments. With some creative engineering of the lever mechanism, a person could convert it to manual operation with some kind of cable to activate the ratcheting mechanism. This would eliminate the derailment issue. Also, I noticed the amount of material being dispensed. The amount seems more appropriate for a 2-bay hopper.
Thats insane! I never knew Athearn even made something like this! I can definitely see why this accessory would be a pain to use with the lever coming in contact with the hopper. Cool episode, Dan!
Another good coal loader was made by Gilbert American Flyer, it stands on the side of the track and is electrically operated, They also made a hopper unloader and hopper car, these haven't been made since 1963 but they can still be found on Ebay and train shows
this one feels like it could be edited into a subtle foreshadowing video
@@HarryWarren1223 HAHAHA I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT
Nice video! I really like the concept of the mechanical actuation but I agree that it’s temperamental at best. Would be neat to modify one though. Looking forward to more operating accessory videos!
I always like Operating accessories
Pretty sure you can figure something out to fix that and make it work right!!
Those Tyco hopper cars are too light weight. I bet if you used some Ulrich all metal hopper cars this accessory would work much better.