When Lionelr and American Flyerr introduced cars and accessories that loaded and unloaded by remote control, the "play value" of toy trains increased dramatically. Because miniature electric motors were not yet available, those original cars that delivered logs, coal, milk cans and crates were activated by electric solenoids; operation was characterized by a load buzz and snap-action unloading.
In contrast, our modern incarnations of these favorite toys are powered by tiny, whisper-quiet electric motors. Position them on any manufacturer's operating track section, press the unload button or lever, and watch the deck tilt gently and the side lower to dump the load. The deck then shakes once to make sure all the load has released and returns to its normal position. These dump cars make great companions for many vintage and modern trackside operating accessories that load logs and coal.
Although these cars trace their roots to toy trains of the 1950s, our modern version of the solid-side dump car is an accurate model of the Difco air-operated side-dump car made by Differential Steel Car Co. of Findlay, Ohio. The two large vertical cylinders under each side of the car represent the pneumatic cylinders that operate the dump mechanism on the prototype cars. Our model is based on the Difco car introduced in the late 1960s and still in use on railroads throughout North America, largely in maintenance of way service for trackside dumping of ballast and fill. Difco cars are also found in revenue service hauling sand, coal, limestone and other loose materials.
High quality, traditionally sized RailKing Freight Cars provide detailed bodies and colorful paint schemes for the O Gauge railroader. MTH makes an enormous variety of RailKing Freight Cars, including many different car types and roadnames. No matter what era or part of the country you are modeling, RailKing is sure to have something for you.
