I assume you mean a hopper car with hopper gates that actually open ? HO? N? O?Can anyone tell Me if there is any manufacture producing operating gate coal cars???
Yes something like that. For a long time now I have had in My mind an operating Mine and an Operating dump station. But to make it work I need Coal Cars with operating gates. And like You say like Tyco made. I can find one or two here and there. Just a Dream I have had in mind for a long time now. And wondering if there wear any manufactured today...When you say operating gate are you talking in a sense like if I remember correctly what Tyco had out way back in the day? I only ask because I have a few hoppers that the gates open on I wouldn't say operate however.
I dont think anyone makes them anymore. I know theres a few Tyco ones on ebay right now. May possibly be able to get your hands on the hoppers themselves but it may be hard to come by.Yes something like that. For a long time now I have had in My mind an operating Mine and an Operating dump station. But to make it work I need Coal Cars with operating gates. And like You say like Tyco made. I can find one or two here and there. Just a Dream I have had in mind for a long time now. And wondering if there wear any manufactured today...
Hmmm, a few years back I operated on a layout that had real fill the hopper, move the load, and dump the hopper. I am trying to remember how they did it. To fill was easy one poked a funnel through the roof of the mine tipple. At the other end of the layout was an unloader that went into bucket where everything got dumped, just don't remember how.Yes something like that. For a long time now I have had in My mind an operating Mine and an Operating dump station. But to make it work I need Coal Cars with operating gates. And like You say like Tyco made. I can find one or two here and there. Just a Dream I have had in mind for a long time now.
I think I would replace the catch on the center sill with a small magnet between the hoppers . You could add a little tab or wire to door that extend past the side of the car and then just pop open with your finger.Here are a couple photos of the modified hopper. Just quick phone pics compete with dust. The hinges and latches are thin music wire, probably .020" or so. The hinge pieces fit into channels molded into the door. The added crossbar just slips over the latch with a little pressure. I was thinking the cars could be emptied by pushing up on the latch but like I said above, haven't done more with the experiment.
The filling I have figured out. And I have seen rotary dumpers. For many years now the idea of a Phot typical car dump has been in My head. If I can find a Ore Car with operating gates I think I could figure it out. Just an Idea that has always been there...Hmmm, a few years back I operated on a layout that had real fill the hopper, move the load, and dump the hopper. I am trying to remember how they did it. To fill was easy one poked a funnel through the roof of the mine tipple. At the other end of the layout was an unloader that went into bucket where everything got dumped, just don't remember how.
Thanks. Just an idea I'm working on. May end up Scratch building...I dont think anyone makes them anymore. I know theres a few Tyco ones on ebay right now. May possibly be able to get your hands on the hoppers themselves but it may be hard to come by.