I picked up a 3472 operating Milk Car this past weekend from Mizell Trains in Denver, original box, good condition. ( $56 bucks ) - I placed the platform on my layout at one of my UCS track locations in my yard. Position the car at the platform, push the unload button and she worked perfectly ! Great !
The thing about UCS or 6019 Track sections is that if you back your car onto the track, then uncouple from the locomotive, the car is not positioned at the proper place to unload the car. The same with the 3469 Coal Dump Car and the 97 Coal Elevator. I picked up my 97 Coal Elevator last year. I added a spur for the Coal Elevator. I made a custom remote control track. I picked up a 6019 track section, took it apart, spliced the uncouple magnet into the center rail ( my layout is O gauge tubular track ) then placed the control rails past the uncouple magnet. I hot glue wooden ties to the bottom of the rails, glue a thin wood strip to the wood ties between the rails, then mount the control rail to the wood. Worked quite well. This way I can uncouple the car and it is in the proper position to unload.
So I might have to make another custom control track for my milk car. Any body else out there do this too ? Think about it and I wonder why Lionel did not do this with their design of the USC - 6019 tracks.
Also - on a lot of layout track plans they show uncouple track on a spur or on a siding, but they never show a uncouple track on the main line - if you do switching, you need both. I don't understand why these track plans never show a uncouple on the main line ?
Steve
The track plans you see are not set in stone. I take them as a guide or a presentation on an idea and are subject to modifications according to the individual's interests, perceptions and proclivities. I have seen several track plans I liked but always found a few details I would change.
Can you post some pix of the mods you made to the RCS's?
Here are some photos of my track at my 97 Coal Elevator ( My first photo posting - hope it works )
Uncouple Magnet with Control Rails
Close up of magnet and control rail
97 Coal Elevator and Track Layout
Uncouple Magnet spliced into Track
OK -
I tried to up load from photobucket - did not work - what did I do wrong ?
Second try at posting pics -
97 Coal Elevator with uncouple magnet and control rails spliced in from a 6019 track section
Close up of uncouple magnet and control rail
Uncouple magnet from a 6019 track section spliced into O gauge track
Yea, I like it! Good work.
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