Lionel Culvert loader and AF

I’m disappointed no one has responded to this.  I’ve wondered about this myself.  Isn’t there also a culvert unloader too?

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

I am wondering, too.....I certainly have enjoyed using AF accessories with my O gauge.

I wish you luck in your quest for information.

Peter

No need to wonder....construct a tray using Evergreen Scale Models black sheet styrene to fit the AF car...if necessary, trim the culverts to fit the tray using a razor saw and miter box.

I have measured the pipes and they will fit in the AF Gondola.  I just wish I know if someone already has this working for certain.  I would love to use the unloaded as well but I would hate to buy these items and then find out there is some reason they all do not work together with S Gauge Flyer.  I called Lionel and they seem to have no idea Or any desire to find out.  You would think that having another market to sell to would be worth it to them to at least investigate this.

--Rocco--

You have determined that the pipes fit the car and that it's possible to construct the loading piece using styrene...what other reason(s) are there?

Why not just build the items, shoot photos with descriptions and submit them to S Gaugian Magazine?

If you're waiting for someone else to do it, well...

I may try this if I can get my hand on a Culvert Loader.  I do not want to commit significant funds for a new one until I can validate that it will work out.  By posting this originally, I had hoped that someone who has both O and S had already tried this and I would have used that knowledge to take the plunge myself and buy one of the new ones in the 2015 Signature catalog.

--Rocco--

Update to this story.  I am almost ready to buy the Culvert loader but I thought before I do, let me call Lionel.  I told them I was interested in buying the Culvert Loader but I wanted to verify if it would work with a American Flyer Gondola.  After being placed on hold for a few minutes they came back and said it would not work.  I asked why as I had measured the pipes and could make the tray.  They responded "That is not the problem.  The Culvert loader infra-red will not detect the American Flyer Gondola because of it's smaller size".  I told the Lionel rep that tI was surprised as I did not even know an infra-red was part of this design.  I asked if it could be adjusted and the rep said no.  I ended the call by saying that Lionel should look into an adjustment to the Accessory so they could sell it to both O and S gauge customers.  I then ended the call.

I am glad that I did not spend $225 dollars to find this out but I still wonder what the role of the infra-red is and why it could not be adjusted to work with an American Flyer Gondola.

--Rocco--

Hi Rocco,

Have you posted to the ‘Hi-rail, 0-27 and Traditional 3-Rail 0 Gauge yet?  You can get there from the tab at the top of the page.

Also, if there is indeed an infrared detector, I would find it hard to believe you couldn’t relocate it.  You might have to do some chopping, but it can be moved.  After all, somebody had to place it in its current position so another somebody can take it out and relocate it.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine