Lionel Seaboard Coaler

[Brady]

Something I picked up at the WGH show last month

       

The original Gilbert/Flyer 752 was catalogued from 1946-52.  The number was changed to 752A in 1951 when a solenoid operated door was added to allow coal to be stored in the tower (like the Lionel 97).  On the earlier 752, coal dropped into the tower's hopper by the clamshell slid straight down the chute.   

       

The Lionel version of the Seaboard coaling tower is the 752A version and at almost 16" high it's an impressive accessory.  It works very well and comes with an Flyer-style three button controller. 

Unlike the Lionel 97, the chute on the 752A drops the coal straight down for a little less bounce..  The chute is hinged and can be raised manually.

       

The motor/drive assembly with the "cable" spool

       

Lots of pulleys..

       

       

       

Since the 752A was originally designed for S gauge the manual recommends raising the tower 1" to clear O gauge equipment.  Since I'm using rubber roadbed and running FM Train Masters (pretty tall for traditional trains) I needed about 1 1/2", so I made a crude base out of foam. 

       

I suppose you could put it at the end of a siding and avoid having to raise it.

The clamshell picks up a decent amount but you'll have to do several cycles to get enough to cover the bottom of a 3469 dump car (or save time and cheat with a funnel ).  The crude pickup hopper I made keeps the coal in a nice pile for the clamshell, Flyer and Lionel pans don't quite do the job.  Eventually I may install a more finished looking version, or just fashion another crude hopper for the MTH/Flyer 785 tower next door.  The clamshell on the 752A snaps shut and tends to launch a couple of pieces each time (pieces to the left - hopper needs sidewalls). 

I've had very good success with the Flyer re-issues from Lionel and MTH, pretty soon they may outnumber the Lionel designs on the layout.

Brady Burdge
http://www.virginianrailway.com