Coal for 397 Loader

I have been told by several Lionel dealers that postwar Lionel coal was crushed black bakelite, and just looking at it convinces me that this is true.  I don't know if this helps you on your quest or not, but maybe it will at least suggest some alternatives.

When I was about 14 about 65 years ago I bought a bag of model coal made from smashed up vinyl records. It worked after I smashed the larger pieces smaller.

Dan, I don't have a direct answer to your question about what particular coal works with the 397 coal loader, but will share my experience with Postwar Lionel coal loaders.

As a child I had a 397 coal loader with the coal that came with it, and always had trouble getting the coal to work. It would also get stuck under the red belt and screw things up.

As an adult I got the Postwar 97 coal loader that has always worked like a charm. Here it is:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Dan, I don't have a direct answer to your question about what particular coal works with the 397 coal loader, but will share my experience with Postwar Lionel coal loaders.

As a child I had a 397 coal loader with the coal that came with it, and always had trouble getting the coal to work. It would also get stuck under the red belt and screw things up.

As an adult I got the Postwar 97 coal loader that has always worked like a charm. Here it is:

Interesting, Arnold.  I was thinking of replacing the 397 with a 497 that I have.  I think my grandson will get more enjoyment out of it and not get frustrated trying to make the 397 work.  He's ten and has many interests, which doesn't allow for too much tinkering time.  And I don't want him to get discouraged.  

I don't understand why you call it EVIL Bay. You want pre & postwar Lionel coal, buy it on Ebay,  it's cheap, it is what your supposed to use with the 397 & 97 coal elevator.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried Woodland Scenics (or similar) medium or coarse "Cinders" track ballast?  It's supposedly just crushed walnut shells, painted or dyed black.

The thread below suggested black acquarium gravel or medium blasting abrasives.  Has anyone had success with either?  I’d be interested in finding an alternative as well.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/coal-1

You might want to take a look at Arizona Rock and Mineral Ballast. It is actual rock. Their O scale coal may be actual coal. Check out www.armballast.com

Kevin

rjsmithindy posted:

The thread below suggested black acquarium gravel or medium blasting abrasives.  Has anyone had success with either?  I’d be interested in finding an alternative as well.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/coal-1

 

I think aquarium gravel would be too heavy for a 397 coal loader.

eddie g posted:

I don't understand why you call it EVIL Bay. You want pre & postwar Lionel coal, buy it on Ebay,  it's cheap, it is what your supposed to use with the 397 & 97 coal elevator.

Evilbay is like Big Brother, controlling everything.....LOL.

As for the cost of post-war coal, have a look at these listings;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinta...5:g:XGMAAOSwwf1bc-nm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Dif...sIAAOSwScJa8kGbStill think it's cheap ?

There are some listings for post-war coal that are running in the twenty-five to thirty dollar rage for a single bag.  It's still too much to pay for something that may wind up in the vacuum cleaner.

Then there's this listing;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lione...1:g:etUAAOSwrklVSX5p

At the BIN price of $390.00 it works out to $1.89/bag.  Now that's cheap.  But I'm not about to spend almost $400.00.  Of course I could buy it all and resell it to make a profit.  Maybe not.....LOL

rjsmithindy posted:

The thread below suggested black acquarium gravel or medium blasting abrasives.  Has anyone had success with either?  I’d be interested in finding an alternative as well.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/coal-1

 

Ha, that's my post from two years ago.....LOL

I've tried to find a video of us using aquarium gravel in the 397. I can tell you that it works pretty well. The Dollar Store had some green/white/black bags of it that seemed a little lighter that I bought and it worked well.

Don, 206 is the Lionel part number for coal. $390 gets you 10 bags of coal. 

At the BIN price of $390.00 it works out to $1.89/bag.  Now that's cheap.  But I'm not about to spend almost $400.00.  Of course I could buy it all and resell it to make a profit.  Maybe not.....LOL

That is 39 dollars a bag. I doubt he'll get any takers. Folks can ask whatever they please.

Doesn't Lionel offer coal any longer?

The only drawback you MIGHT experience with using aquarium gravel for coal is having pieces that are too small. When the pieces are too small they can get underneath the belt and foul the mechanism.  Same goes for the 97 coal elevator.

Kverdon posted:

You might want to take a look at Arizona Rock and Mineral Ballast. It is actual rock. Their O scale coal may be actual coal. Check out www.armballast.com

Kevin

I would not use real coal.  I'm not at home to verify but I beleive the Lionel instruction sheet says not to use real coal.

Bill

How much coal do you need ?? I got rid of my accessories but kept about two bags of original.

Dan, I guess you are right. Usually they are on the bay for about $10. a bag. That guy with the 10 bags started them at $1.000 about 6 months ago. Every month he comes down a little.  I used to have some bags. if i find them, I mail them to you.

Is the # 397 loader the one with the red conveyer belt and red plastic tray that a side dump car unloads into ? If so I had one that always jammed,stuck, or not go up the plastic tray. Then I was told by a Lionel, MTH repairmen to use the MTH coal.  And that fixed it, worked perfect every time

rjsmithindy posted:

The thread below suggested black aquarium gravel or medium blasting abrasives.  Has anyone had success with either?  I’d be interested in finding an alternative as well.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/coal-1

While I have no doubt that aquarium gravel would work, I'd be concerned with long-term wear and abrasion to coal loaders and rolling stock.