Lionel icing station

[Anonymous]

I saw an operating icing station w/reefer @ the hobbyshop. Does anyone have any knowledge of this set up? it appears to be a good value. Thanks for any input...

[Anonymous]

I see alot of things w/reefer

[cnw1995]

You bad boy scratch. Welcome mity! I've seen the newest ice station - it is pretty nifty looking - worked off a UCS remote track. A great working accessory - I'm less into the prototypical side of things as compared to tinplate - this one can be set up to fit in either layout type

[Chris F]

Doug, if there's a Lionel icing station that needs a UCS, I've never seen one. Mine (12847 from '94) certainly doesn't; it uses a pushbutton.

The 352 Postwar icing station used a solenoid to activate the man, while modern versions use a smoother DC motor. The only problem I've had is getting tab on the roof of the ice car properly aligned with the metal tab on the station that opens the hatch. I usually wind up using the HOG method to position the car.[;)]

P.S. The icing station uses track supports for alignment to the track. You might check for compatability if you're using FasTrack, RealTrax, or Atlas track types.

[eZAK]

QUOTE: Originally posted by scratch b rules

I see alot of things w/reefer

I'll have what he's having[:D][8D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Chris F

Doug, if there's a Lionel icing station that needs a UCS, I've never seen one. Mine (12847 from '94) certainly doesn't; it uses a pushbutton.

The 352 Postwar icing station used a solenoid to activate the man, while modern versions use a smoother DC motor. The only problem I've had is getting tab on the roof of the ice car properly aligned with the metal tab on the station that opens the hatch. I usually wind up using the HOG method to position the car.[;)]

P.S. The icing station uses track supports for alignment to the track. You might check for compatability if you're using FasTrack, RealTrax, or Atlas track types.

Chris has this one pretty well pegged. I have the first reproduction from the early 80's. It uses the solenoid to drive the man. Mine has a lot of mileage, and still works great. A true classic, and a great addition to any layout.

[cnw1995]

Chris, you're right! I was going by my observation of one on a layout - - the button of course was hidden and the whole siding was UCS tracks!

[Anonymous]

Chris F "HOG" method?
Scratch, I should have known someone would have gone there!!!!
Thanks to everyone for the input on the icing station

[Anonymous]

Hey, wait a minute, now that i look @ the post, I see that i got lots of info, but my ? was not answered LOL
I wanted to know about the NEW release of the unit, I saw it (well really I saw the box)... for $70 bucks & wondered if THIS one was worth it (ie: is it good or did Lionel cheese out? If anyone knows, please tell me.....We are on a limited budget & I don't want to dissapoint my boys...
Thanks....

[Chris F]

mitymerc,

Lionel has reissued the icing station accessory a number of times. Other than the color, the 24174 icing station is the same as mine. This one's a good value because it includes an icing car.

OTOH, all it does is load the ice into the car. You have to use the HOG method to get the blocks back to the accessory (HOG, see www.acronymfinder.com ). The "charm" of this accessory may wane relatively quickly for active boys.

The accessory that is sure to entertain your boys longer is the 14209 U.S. Steel Gantry Crane, but it costs about twice as much as the icing station. IMO, it's worth it.[:)]

[Anonymous]

The 97 Coaling station is a good one for boys who want action that can go on and on. You need two coal dump cars (do not allow yourself to be content with owning only one coal dump car). Or, the 497 coal loader is another good one. With one car, you can dump coal, elevate the dumped coal into the tower, load the coal from the tower into the car, and begin again by dumping the coal. It is really a good one for continuous action, and if you have a second coal dump car on another train, you can have hours of fun. I also like the 397 coal loader. I have the 97, the 397, and the 497 on my layout. OK, I'm kind of into coal. What can I say?

[springoflife]

CHRIS F,

Did Lionel make the 14209 Gantry Crane in any other name besides US Steel?

[fwright]

The gantry crane has been re-issued in many colors and names. Mine is New York Central.

yours in accessorizing
Fred Wright

[wrmcclellan]

My one complaint about the modern reissue of the icing station is that the man that pushes the ice (uses a small motor) does not automatically stop in a retracted position (where the old solenoid unit does since it has a return spring).

So if you leave him in the wrong position, the mechanism gets hit by a passing train.

A fun accessory. I agree with some posts above that the crane may be more fun and requires some manuvering skill.

Regards,
Roy

[msacco]

Yes, no doubt the modern icing station is smoother and more realistic in operation than the postwar. Probably one of the few occasions when the reissue is better. Heck the old one could shoot cubes across the room.
But I will also second the warning. You must beware of the possible sideswipe from the station bracket. I haven't had an accident yet, but it's been close.

Mike S.

[jonadel]

I bought the new ice station a couple of years ago and later found the reefer. It is a neat accessory that always gets a few chuckles from all ages. I use Realtrax and it lines up OK but like others have mentioned, the metal piece that opens the reefer lid must be fully retracted or a passing engine will nick it. I think it's worth the money.

Jon

[mickey4479]

I bought mine 6 years ago for $72.00 without a car. My unit has a red frame, tan icehouse with green roof. I found a nice deal on a Northern Pacific ice car at a trian show. I have never run mine but it is on my layout and adds a neat touch. I think you will enjoy yours. It is my favorite operating accessory followed by the semifore, the block signal and the cantilevered and double signal bridges. I need another infrared activating device so I can power all these up.

[Chris F]

QUOTE: Originally posted by springoflife

Did Lionel make the 14209 Gantry Crane in any other name besides US Steel?

The 14209 is specifically the one for US Steel. Here are other Lionel gantry cranes:

2302 (1981-82) Union Pacific (no motor, no magnet)
2303 (1980-81) Santa Fe (no motor, no magnet)
2316 (1983-84) Norfolk & Western (no magnet)
12700 (1987) Erie
12834 (1993) Pennsylvania RR (the one I have)
12922 (1996) New York Central (no magnet)
24134 (2002) Bethlehem Steel
24114 (2004) Lionel Lines (TMCC operated)

[tonyc]

I just bought a new icing station. 1/2 the time the top hatch on the car gets stuck and the guy just shoves the car. Is there a fix for that? Thanks!

[POTRZBE]

The icing station takes some tuning.  I used vinyl electrical tape on the metal pusher that comes off the station.  This gave a slick surface to the hatch cover of the car.  I was frustrated at first but after lining everything up just right it is a big hit and works every time.  Good luck!

[Kooljock1]

Here's a video I shot years ago of mine.  (Pre-digital video camera!)  No UCS required.

C8gxM2B8ZIk

 

Jon 

[gunrunnerjohn]

If anyone is looking for the car I am putting one up on eBay on Sunday evening, NIB.

[POTRZBE]

Kooljock, it's good to see that one of the guys from Blue Man Group kept his day job!