I’ve just converted to DCC and would like to add an early model diesel freight train to the layout. I’d especially like to add a couple of automated or remotely controlled cars, such as a log dumping or operating crane car. Are these things available in HO and can they be controlled through the DCC controller? Does anyone recommend a freight set with DCC and SOUND that is of decent quality that won’t break the bank? Thanks in advance.
what road? bachmann spectrum has some Sd45’s
Actually we have been pretty much spared the Lionel action cars in HO, although there are some cattle cars that have moo sounds, etc.
The question makes me remember the old Lionel layout I had in the 40’s and 50’s as a kid, and the milk car which when run over a special track would toss milk cans every which way.
Bob
Im glad that we dont deal with the action cars in HO scale. Now having said that… there are works of art out there in HO.
I think it’s Dallas Model Works that has an operating flat car loader/unloader. It’s not meant to be a “prototype” operation, but rather a “behind the scenes” gadget that lets you run an empty into a building (not included) and return later for a full car, or vice versa.
I have a bunch of really old operating Mantua hopper cars that will dump coal through their bottom chutes, and an old loader as well that will put coal into them. (Well, it will, once I’ve got it working again.)
Heljan makes a very high-end container crane, which lets you load and unload containers to/from flat cars, or even trucks if you have them.
Googled for more info. You are right - Dallas Model Works. Apparently cost about $25-$30 or so (http://www.dallasmodelworks.com/products/product_detail_accessories.asp?ItemNumber=DMW-101).
Here is a youtube video of this gadget in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8O0HlRV5_g&feature=related
Thanks for the tip!
Stein
I don’t know of any companies other than Bachmann that sell DCC train sets and I don’t believe any of those have sound. DCC+ sound locos are generally a higher quality, more expensive item that you would not find in a train set.
P.S. I don’t think there are any operating cars that can be controlled with DCC unless you rig it up yourself.
Didn’t someone (Marklin, or Roco, maybe?) make a fully functional “big hook” fairly recently? I seem to recall it was DCC controlled, but kind of pricey.
Brad
MisterBeasley wrote: I have a bunch of really old operating Mantua hopper cars that will dump coal through their bottom chutes, and an old loader as well that will put coal into them. (Well, it will, once I’ve got it working again.)
that old loader wouldn’t happen to be a renwal coaling station would it? I had one, notice “had”. I also have a few operating hoppers in standard revenue service but no where to get loaded. seems tyco coal was the recommended coal for the renwal loader too.
It was on sale for only $500![:P]
Head to the train shows or look on ebay for… Tyco, Baby!
Totally unrealistic, I doubt you could get them to work directly via DCC (well, I suppose you could try to install a decode and wire it in)…some were continous (press the button, apply DC voltage and run the motor to have the pipe-unloader cycle through it’s moves), and some were intermitten - press the button, the relay tips the log car body with a kick and dumps the logs, and the car’s springs pull the now empty body back to norm), but kind of fun (if used in moderation).
Doesn’t somebody make a container unloading crane?
Heljan. Mentioned before in this thread.
E.g. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/322-89001
Smile,
Stein
It’s an old Vollmer (no relation that I know of, Dave.)
It’s not working right now. One of the door mechanisms has come apart, but the activating solenoids still work. The coal loads into the building by removing the roof, then comes out the shoots when you open the doors by powering the solenoids. The building only holds about 1 or 2 cars worth. Obviously, it’s sitting on the “unfinished” part of the layout, surrounded by construction debris.
Since you brought it up - the old Lionel milk car thing was what made me think my son might like an action car. I too had an old Lionel setup as a kid that had a freight car on which, when pulled up to the loading dock would open it’s doors and a little man would chuck out cases. The thing buzzed like hell doing it, but I still remember it being a lot of fun. I would have thought that the advances in electronics over the past 60 years since then that there’d be more things like this available now but from the posts here it doesn’t seem so.