Merchandise Car WOES

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Recently I purchased a 3454 Merchandise Car from a show at a great deal. But, as Im finding out, the car works perfectly but the door doesn’t seem to open when the mechanism is ingaged. So the boxes get pilled up inside of the boxcar. Ive brought the car to different repair shops and will no luck:( I also have the “Complete service manual for lionel trains” by Aurotech in which they have every diagram for postwar cars but none for the 3454 Merchandise Car. Im at wits end, any suggestions would help, or am I better off selling it?

Sincerely
John

2

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum.

Is this the car where the door opens and that little feller throws out boxes?

3

I think your referring to the operating car that the man throws out the mail packages. But, yes the boxes do come out by a metal tab that pushes them out. Any info would help in my search to fixing this car, thanks.

Sincerely
John

4

I looked and couldn’t find any exploded views for the car. I’m going to assume, though, that the mechanism is pretty much the same as the Milk Car(i.e. 3452 etc.), and you may want to take a look at your exploded view for that and see if it helps you any.

5

John, you are right. The 3454 in not in the Greenberg Repair Guide either. But there was a very good article on servicing and repairing the 3454 Operating Merchandise Car in the September 1994 issue of Classic Toy Trains.

Some general hints:

  1. Make sure you are using the right wood cubes for this car. There are some replacements that are too light in weight and do not work well.
  2. Be sure the metal chute in the car is smooth as possible. Remove any rough spots or oxidation. You could use a little furniture polish on just the chute itself where the crates rest to make it a little more slippery.
  3. Clean the solenoid plunger with some Electronic TV Spray Cleaner.
  4. Make sure there are no dings or glitches in the door guides of the operating side of the car. Also make sure the rod off the door opener/closer mechanism is not bent and that the hook on the rod stays securely attached to the opening door of the Merchandise Car.

I bought a real beater of this car years ago… the shell was in worse shape. Rebuilt it and repainted it for the Erie Lackawanna and it works fine for me.

Try writing to the gang at CTT and see if someone can send you a copy of that article.

6

The Doctor is in !!! The Information you need was put into a book called"Toy Train Repair Made Easy" 21 Lionel Postwar Projects. It is put out by the good folk at CTT. Retail price$16.95. I bought a copy from my train dealer. A good book to have for fixing
your trains. Till My Next Missive,I Remain The Humble, Yet Strangly Evil Doctor!!![}:)]

7

Thanks for the info, its been a big HELP:)