Lionel PWC #54 Ballast Tamper - how much can it pull?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Just won a nice #54 PWC cheap on Ebay - i was thinking about running a small loop on my Holiday layout with this unit. I was wondering if I could run it with a PWC coal dump car and a PWC N&W work caboose or will it burn out the motor? I’m assuming that the newer car have a lower rolling resistance and should not be much of a strain to the motor.

2

The Doctor Is In!!! FEClionel, I don’t think you should try pulling anything with the Ballast Tamper. It was not set up to pull anything. Also, It is not prototypical(unless you do not care) Buy a small switcher to do the pulling.

Till My Next Missive, I Remain The Humble Yet Strangly Evil Doctor!!![}:)]

3

Hi Folks,

If the ballast tamper has a mechanism similar to a Lionel handcar, in my experience it will pull one lightweight piece of rolling stock like a caboose, provided the caboose’s wheels roll very well, if you add a concealed 1.5 to 2 ounce lead fishing weight close to the powered wheelset. This does put an extra load on the motor and chassis, but if you really want to do it, just consider that you might have to replace the motor a bit prematurely and keep the wheelset bearing points properly lubricated. If you run it with frequent breaks, not continuously, you probably will do very well. Check to see if the motor heats up excessively with the extra load. If it overheats, that would indicate that you shouldn’t pull the load. Good luck!

Take care, Joe.

4

I was watching a TM video last night that showed a Lionel ballast tamper pulling 3 flat cars behind it. The cars had small loads on them replicating rail, ties, and tools. The unit seemed to be pulling the cars with little to no effort. Jim

5

I don’t have the ballast tamper but I do have the PWC Tie-Jector which pulls one Rugged Rails gondola (diecast trucks and a few extra ties) very nicely.

I assume the power units are very similar, so one car should be OK.

Dale

6

I’ve got the Fundimensions Ballast Tamper from the mid 1980’s. It’ll pull two or three cars on level track without any problems.

7

Thanks guys - I recieved this item today and it states in the manual I can pul 1-3 light frieght cars such as gondola or flat cars. I want it to pull a PWC green coal car and a PWC N&W work caboose on O27 in the center of my Fastrack Christmas layout! I can’t wait for Novermber when I can set it up and display some pictures!