AF/Lionel Oil Drum Loader dimensions and reliability

[dsmith]

I am considering an American Flyer Operating Oil Drum Loader or the Lionel repro.  Does anyone have an opinion on how reliably it operates.  And what are the L x W x H dimensions as I am thinking of trying to squeeze one into a tight spot on my small layout.  Thanks for any help!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

David

I have an original 779 Drum Loader.  The footprint is 8¼" x 8¾".  It is very reliable and one of the most interesting accessories in my opinion.  Here is a picture.

Jim

[kpolak]

I just bought one too....It's my Christmas Present...SSssshhhhh.....It works quite reliably, fun to watch, and the motor is quiet.  Barrels seem to get hung-up in the chute once in awhile.

Sturgeon-Phish:  What is the correct origional color for the lift truck?  I have seen orange and red.

Kurt

[Joe Hohmann]

I have one of the first ones, and it works great. I, too, have a very small layout, and I put the loader up front, next to a "fake" siding running along about a ft. of the layout front edge. This way, people can see it up close, and kids can reload the drums. I had to jack-up the loader a bit, so the drums could clear the side of a gondola. Joe

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The original color is red.  I have seen some faded to an orange color.

Jim

[BDT in Minnesota]

I have enjoyed my 779 Barrel Loader  since 1962.  It was used when I got it, and all I have ever done is routine maintenance.  To power mine, I use a small transformer and hook up to the variable voltage (track) posts.. This gives the little guy on the barrel loader a variable speed,,did I say that I do like mine.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Neat idea to slow the operator down.  It would make it even more realistic.

Jim

[dsmith]

Thanks everyone for the positive replies.  Now  I MUST get one!!

I see that MTH made a drum loader that is somewhat similar but the highlow only goes straight back and forth, so it doesn't look to be as interesting as the AF or Lionel version.

[Deputy]

It was one of the few accessories my folks could afford for my AF train back when I was a kid. It was rock solid reliable. Not sure about the new ones, though.

[aflyer]

I bought one on ebay  about 6 months ago, it works great after a little cleaning and lubrication.  As someone said before, they are really fun to watch.  I saw one at a train show and had to have one too.

I see them on ebay pretty often, both original and the Lionel remake.

George

[David Barker]

I had an original and sold it in 1998 when we were moving.  That was a mistake which I plan to correct.  Thanks to this thread, I am going to buy a new one as soon as possible.  The oil drum loader is a great accessory, to say the least.

[EIS2]

They are a very nice little accessory, but they are sensitive to voltage.  If the voltage is too high, the barrel will fall off the cart when it backs away from the loading chute.

Earl

[Sturgeon-Phish]

They are a very nice little accessory, but they are sensitive to voltage.  If the voltage is too high, the barrel will fall off the cart when it backs away from the loading chute.

Earl

Earl,

Is it because the cart is going too fast or jerks?

Jim

[Heartman]

I love this thing!  I think it is the best operating accessory made.  No one mentioned demensions, so here it is.  Width at track is 8 3/4", depth is 8 1/4", height from base (at house) is 5 1/2", heigth from base (to top of light) is 8 1/4".

By the way.  I bought the Lionel repo & it is about 2 years old.

Opps!  Sorry Sturgeon-Phish, you did show dimensions.

Dennis

[Deputy]

Very tough little item to locate. There is a used one on Ebay, and it's at $45.50 right now. I did a search but couldn't find any online dealers with them.

[EIS2]

They are a very nice little accessory, but they are sensitive to voltage.  If the voltage is too high, the barrel will fall off the cart when it backs away from the loading chute.

Earl

Earl,

Is it because the cart is going too fast or jerks?

Jim

The cart backs away from the loading ramp too fast and the barrel falls out.

Earl

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The loader must be being paid by the load and not by the hour.