Aerial Sand Loader by Tonka

[brianel027]

There are plenty of toys you can find that are actually quite suitable for use on a 3-rail layout, especially if you aren't a rivet counter. I found this farm tractor toy with a conveyor belt trailer. I removed the wheels and base off the conveyor belt, modified a couple of Lionel Elevated Trestles, and attached just the conveyor belt base and crank to the trestles. It is mounted in a corner on my nephew's train layout. He can place things on the belt, turn the crank and watch them drop into a waiting train car.

I also modified a crane that was originally part of a $10 construction set. The crane now operates from the base of the layout with manual cranks. No, it's not quite as cool as a Lionel operatating Gantry Crane. But I found this thing at the Salvation Army for less than $1 and even though it is manual operation, my nephew still likes it.

[pbjwilson]

Thanks for the info on the size of this loader. If the price is reasonable it might make a good addition to my garden railroad. I know my 6 year old would love it. So would I.

[3railguy]

I own one. Bill is right and it's even a bit large for standard gauge. A 4" tall figure would right in the cabin making it around 1/16 scale if you were to proportion it.

[jonadel]

That sand loader looks like it belongs in a sand box, not a train layout. I'll bet kids would have great time with it outside.

Jon

[Anonymous]

Tonka's Aerial Sand Loader is kind of big. Measuring close to 24-inches wide by 20-inches tall.
It's a nice toy, but better suited for a large Standard Gauge layout. It will be interesting to see what
price it fetches on eBay.

BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[pbjwilson]

Here's another e-bay find that I thought was interesting. Don't know the size of this thing but looks like it could work with Lionel?????

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aerial-Sand-Loader-Early-Tonka-Toys-Construction_W0QQitemZ6977279635QQcategoryZ740QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem