Somewhere I read the first log dump cars had a ratchet action, you had to press the control button 4 or 5 times to dump, each press lifted the body a little more till it dumped.It also reset itself. Anyone know the numbers for this style car? Was there a coal dump with this action? How dependable is it? Thanks
Actually the rachet cars came later. Operationally many prefer these later cars but IMHO the early one shot cars look better proportioned.
check out the differences here:
http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=3461 earlier car
http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=3361 later
Mike S.
Well, not the first, but the 3361 log dump cars have the step-action cam/tilt mechanism.
In a coal dump, the 3359 twin-bin dump used a very similar setup to dump the bins consecutively.
Rob
Denny,
I have both types of log cars ( one 3451, and one each of both colors of the 3461, and a 3361), and I prefer the 3451 and 3461 to the later 3361. With the 3451 and 3461, you just press the button one time to dump the logs. The 3361 takes about 16 presses for a complete cycle. I also like the look of the 3451 and 3461 better than the 3361. The 3361 is dependable. If you are looking for a 3361, send me an email.
Thanks Mike, those links were what I needed. Your right the one shot does look much better. I wanted to use it with a 364 log loader and don’t think the logs will load in the 3361 very well. The loader will be at the far end of the layout [if I ever get started on it[sigh]] and I was hoping not to run it around to reset the car each time. Oh well. Thanks for the help everyone
Sometimes with the one shot log cars I can push the unload button quickly about halfway down and get it to dump the logs and to not turn completely over, thus not having to reset it. With the coal car you can simply press the unload a few times and right the bin back up. when all is fail get a long stick to take care of it.
Mike S.