I have an O-gauge layout that includes Lionel’s 497 coaling station and their 3459 automatic dump car. At the moment this combination doesn’t work together. It looks to me that the 479 was designed to work with the 3469 dump car. The difference between these is that the 3459 uses electromagnetic couplers that have shoes that are about 7" apart,whereas the 3469 uses magnetic couplers that have shoes that are about 5" apart. The 497 doesn’t like the longer distance–the device’s power blade and ground clip do not contact both shoes of the 3459. Yes, I know that I can change the couplers to get the dump car to work, but I’m wondering if anyone has instead modified the power blade and the ground clip to extend outward so that the 479 can accommodate both types of cars with their orginal couplers. If it’s been done, how?
I did not know that. I have a 497 coaling station on my layout right now, but have not used it this year yet. I am lucky because i have many of the 3459’s and 3469’s. I have never modified my 497. But, i guess it will only accept the 3469, cause that is a later coal dumping car than the 3459. and the 497 is a later coal accessory. You could pick up a 3469 coal dump car for around $40 to $60 depending on condition. Might wanna look into that and keep your 497 unharmed and unchanged. thanks.
I have a 497 coaling station and a 3469 dump car and I’ve never had any problems. The 497 has two power blades, a “big” one and a “little” one. The “little” power blade is for 027 track; the “big” power blade is for O track. If you’re using the “little” power blade with O track the blade won’t contact the shoe on the car and you won’t complete the circuit.
I believe I stated that the problem exists only with a 3459 which is equipped with its original couplers (electromagnetic). The 3469 was orginally equipped with magnetic couplers. There a difference of about 2 inches in shoe separation when comparing the two cars. The 3459’s are farther apart.
I have an O gauge setup and am using the correct contacts for the 497.