Post 42 8/31/2017
Popular Trains Run on the Layout - Operating Car Train (5th Post, Gondola or Coal Dumping Car)
Operating Car Train car The Gondola (or Coal Dumping car)
The gondola car servers many purposes such as receiving barrels from the Lionel 362 barrel loader in lieu of the Lionel 3556 Barrel unloading car, oil drums from the Am Flyer 379 Oil Drum Loader, dumping logs to the Lionel 464 Saw Mill (Coal Dumping Car), containers and scrape iron from the Lionel 12834 Gantry Crane and even coal from the scratch built operating coal mine in lieu of a coal hopper car. You can see these simple cars provide a high level of operating action.
PS: Next post will outline how I automated the Manual Lionel 6-12774 Lumber Log Loader
Gondola at rear of Operating Car Train
Am Flyer 379 Oil Drum Loader in action, Gondola car is a must for the 379
Lionel 12834 Gantry Crane require a car like the Gondola to carry the load.
PS A final note of gondola cars. In late 2022 I found out about covered gondolas and made a cover for gondola cars ( page 8, post 82 of 12-22-2022). The cover gives another use for the gantry crane, removing and installing the cover on a gondola !
The magnet of the Lionel Gantry Crane can be used to pick up or lower the with a small steel washer and cables, with hooks on the cover. The cover can then be removed or installed on top of any 8 inch gondola rail car.
Charlie