'flapper' doors on PW Lionel coal car

[waltrapp]

I have the PW coal hopper (N&W #3456, built date 8-50) that is used in conjunction with the PW coal ramp. It's a "bottom unloader"(sic).

It operates properly, as does the ramp. My problem is that the flaps/doors don't stay shut tight enough. As the train runs around the layout and there's vibration, the load leaks out little by little and lands up all over the layout leaving nothing to dump once it gets back to the ramp.

I'm looking at what it takes to keep the doors closed tighter. I took the component off and saw a spring that seems to pull the 'button' upwards, which also pulls the doors closed. I don't see how it would be possible without special tools to replace this spring.

do you guys think it is the spring?

as always, thanks - walt

[pennsy_fan]

might be the spring just loosened up after years of use.I dont know
I have the newer version of the Pennsy coal dump car. Im not sure, but I think its the same mechanism.If so, the metal "v" shaped piece of metal between the doors can be CAREFULLY tweeked w/ a pair of needle nosed pliers to hold the flapping door closer to the car body.Or if you dont feel comfortable messing w/ that,you could just seek out the latest version of the "3456" that lionel released a couple years ago. Then relegate the older car to the "car shop" in your yard.

[pennsy_fan]

I might add, I dont have the PW version so you may want to wait & see if somebody who has that car will respond w/ a better solution.

Pennsy_fan

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have a couple of the post war N&W "operating hoppers", and a bunch of the MPC cars from the 80's. These cars have always been leaky, and my suggestion would be to try to use as light weight a coal as you can find, in addition to trying to tighten the spring.

Also make sure that when you dump them, and then go to refill them, that there isn't a chunk of coal wedged in the door, preventing it from closing fully. The way to do this is by hitting the magnet a few times at the end of the dump, and see that both doors close fully.