Poultry Dispatch Car Question and Cattlesounds Comment

[Anonymous]

After wanting one for some time, I finally bought a (new) Lionel Poultry Dispatch Car this weekend. I like the car's lighting, but the operation leaves something to be desired. In fact, I am questioning whether mine works correctly.

First, the plunger has to be RIGHT ON TOP OF the center of the accessory track in both FT and tubular versions for the doors to work. Is this normal?

Second, while the door does open, the man with the broom just kind of hangs there and doesn't do anything. He does get a little vibration going from the train itself, but I had thought the mechanism actually made him move. Is this not so? Thanks for any suggestions.

Additionally, I purchased the Lionel Cattle Sounds stock car (NYC, light green) as well. It's a pretty car, and it DOES make a cattle sound, but it become VERY annoying after only a few minutes. VERY.

[luther_stanton]

I also have the dispatch car - the one I have also clucks when the door opens.

I have found the plunger no more / less sensitive than any other uncoupler / plunger car.  Have you tried working the plunger by hand to make sure nothing is binding?

One the door opens, the guy moves back and forth, slowly coming to a stop.  I guess he makes about 8 or 10 "sweeps" before stopping.  On the older models, this was accomplished by I believe a rubber band.  The newer models use a very thin wire twisted back on itself.

When I got my car there was a loose screw in the box.  The bottom bracket that holds the sweeper was loose.  There was still a tab holding the sweeper roughly in place.  I took the car body off, realigned everything and put the screw back in.  Operation was much smoother once the screw was in back place.

I also have the cattle sounds car - it can get annoying!  I also have the PRR hobo car that plays "I've been working on the railroad".  After a few repeats it can get old as well.  

[Anonymous]

I also have the dispatch car - the one I have also clucks when the door opens.

I have found the plunger no more / less sensitive than any other uncoupler / plunger car.  Have you tried working the plunger by hand to make sure nothing is binding?

One the door opens, the guy moves back and forth, slowly coming to a stop.  I guess he makes about 8 or 10 "sweeps" before stopping.  On the older models, this was accomplished by I believe a rubber band.  The newer models use a very thin wire twisted back on itself.

When I got my car there was a loose screw in the box.  The bottom bracket that holds the sweeper was loose.  There was still a tab holding the sweeper roughly in place.  I took the car body off, realigned everything and put the screw back in.  Operation was much smoother once the screw was in back place.

I also have the cattle sounds car - it can get annoying!  I also have the PRR hobo car that plays "I've been working on the railroad".  After a few repeats it can get old as well.  

 Thank you very much. My sweeper doesn't move at all, so obviously something is amiss. I will take the car body off and see what I can do.

As for the hobo car, I hear enough bums on the walk from the parking lot to the office.

I agree with you that the ACL is the Standard Railroad Of The South!