Most newcomers like me can’t seem to find the perfect accessory for their small layout. I have limited space, and most accessories seem to take up close to 1ft square, or more. I can only use a couple of them at a time because of it. I keep finding videos on youtube of accessories that I didn’t know about. Maybe we could attempt to make a single thread where many accessories (especially operating) can be found. Post pictures, vids, links, descriptions, etc. Rare items, brand new items…it doesn’t matter. The more the better.
I’ve just started collecting accessories, this is what I have so far (no photos now):
3656 Cattle car and corral
3472 Milk car and platform
362 Barrel loader
128 Newsstand
45 Gateman
494 Rotating beacon
The only one of these that takes up much space is the corral and barrel loader. I also have coal dump, log dump, and operating barrel cars. For these all you need is a dump bin.
A bigger problem for me (and this is probably a topic for a separate thread) is how to incorporate the toy-like accessories with realistic scenery. Does anyone have suggestions on how to pull this off? I just received the newsstand this week and didn’t realize how huge the figures are. They would look ridiculous on a street scene with 1:43 vehicles and O scale people.
I also had trouble finding out what operating cars and accessories are out there and I would like to see them in operation. Even Lionel’s website gives little information about how an accessory would work. You would think that an online video showing them in operation would increase sales.
On my small layout I have been trying to add as many operating cars and accessories as possible. The only accessory that takes up a fair amount of room is the Gantry Crane, but it is also the most fun to watch and operate. Here are 2 videos.
Yes Don, I painted the figures. Each figure originally came molded in one color. I’m not sure if my newstand is a postwar original or the MPC reproduction. I also added the Smithville News sign and a streetlight on each corner that turn on when the accessory is activated.
IMO accessories really put the TOY in toy trains. I cant have enough operating cars, signals, towers, loaders, stations and lights. For a smaller layout Id try to keep away from multi track accessories like the 164 log loader and 97 coal elevator. The 364 log loader is also very long.
If you could fit the milk car, gateman, rotary beacon, a signal or 2 and some street lamps Id say thats a lot of action for a layout.
Heres a link to a bunch of accessories on youtube:
Some accessories are way out of scale like the 23791 Cow on the Track
Ol’ Bessie is as big as Paul Bunyon’s blue ox Babe!. But for action and play value, it is hard to beat. If I were modeling for realism, there are some accessories that would look strange. Others like the 771 Stockyard work very well scale wise
These accessories really bring life to a layout. Thanks for the pics and videos, guys. Dave, is there a square inch of your layout that doesn’t have something going on?
My favorite accessories are the ones that you can use to both unload and then load the freight cars. The magnetic gantry crane in the above post is an excellent example.
I am also very fond of the logging accessory shown below:
You can dump the logs into the accessory and then later load them back into your car.
Some Pre War items might work too. This is an American Flyer Block Signal made from 1936 to 1939. It has a footprint 2 5/8" X 4" X approximately 10" tall to the top of the finial.
This is the list of operating accessories from my inventory list. Lights, signals and non-operating structures are on other lists. looking at it i see why my construction/wiring is taking so long. i love accessories, i am original owner of the pw items, the newer ones with boards are great also. Footprint on some accessories is enormous. there are a lot of multiples not indicated on the list.
Pictures and videos…well i have a lot of wiring to finish over the next several months.
