Log Dump Cars

[Fred Bear]

So if a guy was going to use the dump car on a layout, what would actually do a better job, the ratchet type later car or the early dump, dump & run car? thanks, Jake

[Brutus]

I've never played with the ratchet type.  I bought 3 of the 3461's from the early 50's used on ebay for about $30 each.  I like them, but I need to replace two coupler springs and lubricate them a bit.  Also, one had some surface rust that I thnk they just painted over at some point.  Need to strip it down and clean it, then repaint one of these days.  OTOH - they are supposed to be on a log run and would be beat up a bit from use, right?  Somehow, they just look right being just a little beat up with some fading in the letters.

[Kooljock1]

I've had them all, and only use the die-cast Post War and modern PWC cars. They work great, and don't need to be re-set. The ratchet types don't tend to hold their logs on curves, and I have a curve in a tunnel...a lousey place to lose a log!

Jon

[Fred Bear]

Well that does it, I'll stick to my metal cars. They do dump well, a bit harsh sometime as to where the logs go, but it gets the job done and looks 80 times better than plastic. I agree, they look better with a bit of rust, bumps and scratches. I buy timber for a living and ride the Cass Scenic a good bit. Fly fished all that area before certain things ruined the trout water in that area. Lot's of train history and logging history on that mountain. Jake

[GPJ68]

Besides not keeping the logs in place very well, the other drawback to the longer plastic cars is if you are using 027 track with operating track sections - the car needs to be centered perfectly -slightly off and one of the shoes won't make contact.  They're really meant for O guage operating sections, or a set of OTC contactors (which can be used with 027 track).

[Brutus]

Besides not keeping the logs in place very well, the other drawback to the longer plastic cars is if you are using 027 track with operating track sections - the car needs to be centered perfectly -slightly off and one of the shoes won't make contact.  They're really meant for O guage operating sections, or a set of OTC contactors (which can be used with 027 track).

Good info - I have the Moe and Joe PW Celebration car and it has to be just right to work on my O27 layout.

Sounds like a cool job buying lumber - somehow sawdust and trains just seem to fit together!  See all the people who model logging operations and stuff!

[Fred Bear]

I'm actually cutting timber now, which I'm finding extremely dangerous! I think I'd rather cruise & buy rather than cut, but we are short in the woods, so I'm cutting. I own the business so I guess it's sorta my job anyway. I see now why logging is listed as the 2nd most dangerous job, behind fisherman. Wonder if that means fly fisherman? Just kidding, those guys on the boats in the ocean in the winter are some prettty tough characters!

        The dump cars I have , the metal deals, toss the logs a bit too hard. Any way to temper that other than take a little voltage away? Jake

[Brutus]

I guess you could isolate the operating section and one of the guys could tell you how to lower the votage to just the piece of track - I think you put some resistors in line with a feeder wire from your main track "hot" wire, but they could tell you what parts to get and how to do it.  You might be able to put a rheostat in there and then you could adjust it, depending on your power to the main track....  Are you running conventional or TMCC/DCS with constant voltage to the track?  Somebody will answer you - but you might want to move this to a different thread to get attention to this separate topic.

Be careful - don't want to be called Old Nine Fingers or something!

[Fred Bear]

Atlas track with DCS. My layout is not wired yet, so I have flexibility to make this happen without a real hassle first time around anyway. Any ideas? Thanks, Jake

[Anonymous]

Jake,

        I have found that the 3451 and 3461 work best around 12 volts.  I  feed the section with  fixed voltage.  Just be sure you have a common ground.  I use a ZW.  The outside rail is connected to post U, The center rail to A, and the operating section to B or C.  This way, I don't have any shorts.

[Fred Bear]

OK, I'll give that a try once I'm wired up. thanks much, Jake