Mining train

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Does anyone know of a mining train that resembles the old rickety coal cars that you used to see in old coal mining movies, but something with a motor? I’m looking for a car that “belongs” underground in a tunnel environment, and works on 0-31 curves and 031 switches. I was thinking about a handcar as well, but I don’t think those were used underground, were they? If I can’t find anything, then there is always subway cars, but I would rather have something more mining like…

Thanks,

Wes

2

K-line made a set with a handcar pulling some minig ore cars. I’ll search around for a picture.

http://www.westerndepot.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=11201&osCsid=a0b12918678781d964cd7363a2c626db

I forgot about these with the Vulcan switcher.

3

I have the ones by K-Line that PAUL mentioned. They are good can be weathered and will work well while running with Vulcan switcher or in my case I ran behind the K-line Porter switcher.

laz57

4

Almost forgot they come with the smaller couplers.

laz57

5

Can someone help me locate a couple of those cars with the switcher?

I plan on running this underground on 90% of the track.

Wes

6

I found these on the K-line website. It’s basically what you were showing me. I don’t see the cars though. I’ll keep looking.

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Catalogs/Catalog.cfm?CatalogUID=2884D931-0498-4A0D-239EF3F064174F26&PageID=995

Thanks,

Wes

7

WES,

Heres the whole set on E-bay…

http://cgi.ebay.com/K-Line-Western-Maryland-Die-Cast-Plymouth-Switcher-Set_W0QQitemZ140083368337QQcategoryZ28139QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Not too bad of a price, I got mine for about $100.

laz57

8

WES scroll down and cars are to the right, click on them to enlarge. I think if I didn’t have the READING I would have gotten these, they are sharp.

laz57

9

I think that’s about what I’m looking for. It’s so short. Are you sure it wont have troubles getting through the MTH 031 turnouts?

The price almost seems like a steal for 6 cars and an engine. I looked around for other ore cars, and I didn’t find any. Do you think K-line will release matching cars to go with their new locos?

Wes

10

Look at these.

http://www.choochooauctions.com/cgi-bin/ua/item.pl?item=45898

11

Thanks chief. It looks like my options are growing.

I’m surprised that RMT doesn’t build something, but I didn’t see anything on their site.

Do you think I can get TMCC to fit in there? I know I’m reaching…

Thanks,
Wes

12

.

If I’m not mistaken, the original mining (ore) cars were pulled to the top of the mine by donkeys. From there, they rolled down (i.e. gravitation), by rail, to the yards, where they were hauled away by a steam locomotive.

The mining shafts were too small for a steam locomotive. Plus, the smoke, vibration and noise from a steam locomotive could not be tolerated in such a small, enclosed tunnel.

Some mines used cable/cog wheel to pull the ore cars to and from the shafts.

In later years, it’s probable that electric cars were used to transfer the ore cars back and forth, though I recall reading that any spark was capable of igniting the coal dust in a mine shaft, with the possibility of an explosion.

So, I’m not certain that the “car” you’re looking for was prototypical.

I may be wrong, and will no doubt be corrected if I am.

There are several “mine trains” available. The most recent is by Lionel. However, these trains transport the coal after it has been extracted from the mine.

.

13

.

To amend by earlier post, there most certainly must have been “powered” vehicles to pull ore cars to the surface.

However, as they appear to look like “flat cars” (to traverse the small mine shafts), I’m not certain how any train modeler could create a motorized prototype.

Here’s a photo:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/nw1337.jpg

here’s another:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/04transport/screen/NS0717031032.jpg

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I’m not certain how you could install a motor in a model train replica of this:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/04transport/screen/NS0717031020.jpg

Check out this entire website, as you’ll see photos of the first type of ore cars used by the Norfolk & Western.

.

14

It would be relatively quick and simple to recreate the mine locos (called lokies) that Steve has shown. The power truck could be what I used from a Lionel Construction loco, which houses the motor in the truck. Then simply build a frame around it from wood, brass or styrene. Even cardstock would work.

15

The K-line ore cars with the Plymouth switcher are different from the Ore cars sold in a packet.

The first set, includes an engine. the cars a very light plastic with the k couplers. very very light and come off the track a little more frequently than i liked. I had to weight them down with some metal bolts, covered with coal. They were meant to run real slow. A consist of 12 or more looks cool going up a steep mountain grade, which is what i have. again with weights [not just plastic coal] in the car. fixing a derail ‘underground’ may be problematic for you. the switcher in the set is not TMCC controlled.

the second set are just cars, they are heavier and look like short-hoppers.

finally watch pricing. the first set with engine goes for around 89-90. try western depot --they have a lot of older kline still in stock. Justrains is another good spot. or ebay.

the set of orecars only, i picked up on ebay for $46. i bought two sets in a dutch type auction. they are there frequently. be patient, unless price isn’t an issue

ralph

16

Did they use handcars underground?

Thanks for those pictures. I have seen those kind of cars before.

It sounds like I should probably change the design to a subway instead of a mine, but there is no subway that actually comes out of the ground for any reason, right? I had planned to run a loop under my main layout, but have a spur that came out of a tunnel to park the train. I don’t know if a subway would ever do that in real life.

Still, I guess this is my world to create, so I can still do the mine, and run a train underground if I really wanted to. I like those Kline coal cars!

Wes

17

Wes

One more thought i forgot to mention in the previous post. A dealer, i believe named Mononee offers …website and ebay… ore cars. they are like real ore cars, the side empties, two in as set for around $25…i think. again no engine, but there is a miner figure with it. take a peak at their site

ralph

18

Ralph,

Where can I get a link to Mononee’s site?

I have planned access to the whole uderground track, so I should be good to go.

Thanks,
Wes

19

Here’s the set from JUST TRAINS…

http://www.justrains.com/klinehmpg.htm

laz57

20

Thanks Laz. That price is just too good to pass up. It might not be prototypical, but it’s a nice looking set.

Thanks for the link.

Wes