I went to a model train show over the weekend and saw an “S” guage setup that had a mail car with an automatic catcher arm that snagged a mail pouch hanging from a post sitting on the platform in front of a post office. It was one of the coolest exhibits I’ve ever seen. Does anyone know where something like this can be found in HO???
Many HO models of RPO cars have the hooks, but they are not operational, if that’s what you are asking.
To me, that seems like something of which the novelty would soon wear off. Okay for a train show display, but not very usefuil on a home layout.
Lionel is the only one who might have done something like that in their HO line, back in the 1950’s, but I can find any listing for such any item. Certainly, nothing like that was ever done by the more serious HO manufacturers down through the years.
CNJ831
I saw something along that line in a trainshow up here that sounds very similar to that one. In S scale. And I do not think Lionel made that but I’m thinking American Flyer maybe?
Barry got it right! The 1955 American Flyer HO catalog includes item #918, on page 32, listed as their “Mail Pick-Up Car”. To quote the catalog: “…takes aboard one sack of mail while it tosses out another. It works by remote control at speed!” Go to this site to check it out:
http://www.rfgco.com/americanflyertrainscatalogs/catalogs.html
CNJ831
Back in the ancient times (1950s) I seem to recall that Model Railroader had an article on how to make one of these. You might find it by searching the index on this site.
Joe