Log and Coal Dump Cars!!!

[lionel2]

What is the difference between the 3459 and 3469 Coal dump cars?? Also, What is the difference between the 3451 and 3461 Log dump cars?? Because I am having problems with my 3461 and 3459 dump cars. When ever I activate the dump on them, they uncouple too. I am tired of walking over to them and coupling them back to the rest of the train. My 3469 and 3461 do not uncouple when I activate the dump on them. Why is this?? Are the older versions?? Do they have coil couplers instead of magnetic couplers?? Any way to fix this on my 3461 and 3459 so they dont uncouple?? thanks.

[ben10ben]

I think that the 3451 and 3459 have coil couplers, while the 3461 and 3469 have standard magnetic couplers.

From the original Lionel service bulletin on operating cars, reprinted in Greenburg’s Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains(p. 194) or the Complete Service Manual for Lionel Trains, by K-line(p. 267)

When the ‘Unload’ button is pressed, however, one control rail is connected to the center rail while the other is connected to the outside, or ground, rail, with the fiber spacer insulating the the two pairs of controller contact springs from each other. With this connection the two ends of the unloading coil are at different potentials so that current flows through the unloading coil from one control rail to the other. At the same you will note that the current is also free to flow through the coupler connected to the ‘high’ control rail, causing that coupler to open

So, the operation you describe is perfectly normal. The period instruction manuals, such as the one I have from 1947, advise you to briefly back up the train after activating an operating car so as to recouple the uncoupled car.

[lionel2]

So, you mean there is no way to make these dump cars not uncouple?? Otherwise, I have to go forward then reverse and slam back into the dump car to get it to couple back together. The cars dont couple together as good as they used to back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Hence, I have to slam them into each other to get a good coupling. Sounds like too much of a hassle. Couldnt I just cut the wire going to the coil coupler temperarily? thanks.

[ADCX_Rob]

So, you mean there is no way to make these dump cars not uncouple?? …

…Couldnt I just cut the wire going to the coil coupler temperarily? thanks.

Yes, that would work, even with a small hidden slide switch maybe. Also, you could change the trucks to magnetic type, the 483-1 coupler truck with slide shoe. Or you could super-glue the couplers shut.

Rob

[lionel2]

You see, I am a collector as well as an operator. I like to keep my trains original. So looks like I have to buy more 3469 and 3461 to add to my layout. I can find these cars pretty easy. Oh well, thanks anyways.

[rlbarnard]

Hi,

One difference between coil-type coupler-equiped-cars and magnetic-type coupler-equipped-cars is the distance between the shoes on the couplers. You will notice that on coil-type-coupler car (for example, 3459 coal dump car) that the shoes are farther apart than on magnetic-coupler cars (3469 coal dump car). Does this make a difference? You bet it does. Unless modifications are made, the 3459 will not operate with the postwar operating coaling station.

I initiated a conversation on this problem about a month ago.

[lionel2]

I have a 497 coaling station. So, it must use a 3469 coal dump car. Thanks, I did not know that it made a difference. I checked my boxes, I have (2) 3469 and (2) 3459 coal dump cars, and (2) 3461 and (1) 3451 log dump cars. Looks like I will have to get like 2 more 3469’s and 2 more 2361’ss o i dont have to worry about uncoupling when I dump my coal/logs. thanks.