Solution for #497 Coaling Station that jams in the up position.

I also have a question about the new 497. I was wondering what type of track you were using in it. I have tried it with the FasTrack Uncoupling track and that fits fine. But if you plan to use the dump car that has two sliding shoe pickups, I found that the FasTrack  Operating track, with the control rails, does not sit flat on the base due to interference with the bent up tabs on the base. Those tabs appear to accommodate the tubular UCS track. 

I did not have the problem you referred to, but did find that the servo was making a chirping noise as soon as power was on. This was due to the close tolerance of the servo arm against the upper bin - restricting its movement. I am solving that problem with a couple washers under the plate on which the servo is mounted. This lowers it just enough to provide proper clearance. 

Bill

I don't have any twin-dump cars at present, but it's good to know that there is an issue when using them with the Coaling Station.  All of my single-dump cars work fine with my FasTrack.

After you make your conversion to the servo, do the listening test.  There should be no sound coming from the servo when power is applied to the control box until the servo is activated using the control box.  If you still have the chirping sound, then there is a current draw like I had and needed the on/off switch to cut power to the control box.

Good luck with your "adjustment "

Ron

Thanks Ron - Are you using the FasTrack Remote Uncoupling track or the FasTrack operating track (with the control rails). I found it difficult to seat the operating track on the base. This track would be needed to operate even he single dump cars that are based on the postwar design - which have sliding shoes. Lionel also made there cars in the Modern era - laast time around 2003.

I'll be writing up this accessory in The Lion Roars December issue. 

Best,
Bill

Bill,

I use the FasTrack uncoupling track, which fits o.k. In the Coaling Station.  All of my dump cars use the single pull post on the bottom of the car, so the uncoupling track works fine on my layout.

Ron

I have the FasTrack Operating track on mine and it does sit flat.  If you look at the tabs, they will just fit within the base of the Operating track.  You have to line it up end-to-end and side-to-side as the tabs engage both on the track. This makes the track sit tight on the 497. Off of the table, I tilted the 497 up a bit on its side to see under the track as I placed it.  Once I had it positioned, I just had to apply a bit of pressure to get the operating track to seat.  Once on, it's solid as a rock.

Now that have seen how the tabs fit while off the table, I'll be able to seat it in position on the table.

Thanks Shawn,

I was finally able to seat the Operating Track, but I did have to bend slightly the two tabs on the front (Lionel) side of the base. There was just no way that they fit into the track without that slight bend. But now the track is in place, correctly positioned and flat on the baseplate. 

Best,
Bill