In the modern era Lionel has offered a range of reproductions of classic postwar products such as the no. 164 Log Loader (CTT, February 1997) and the no. 38 Water Tower (CTT, March 1997). Generally, the quality has ranged from okay to very good. These reproductions are often priced competitively with asking prices of postwar gear in similar condition.
The no. 342 Culvert Loader is a good addition to the line. Either alone or when coupled with the Culvert Unloader, it provides a realistic industrial operation that adds motion and noise to a layout.
Lionel goes one step beyond simply reproducing the postwar original. Lionel has made several cosmetic changes and a few internal alterations to the accessory.
These changes include a stairway (thus explaining how the operators might get to the control shack on top of the concrete slab) and a slightly reworked control building. A strangely dressed worker figure has been added, and he looks a bit odd like, perhaps, he’s a Bavarian railway worker in an exchange program. But I did like the image of the worker holding a tiny remote control unit that is attached to the Culvert Loader’s wiring, just like a real hand-held control.
Although Lionel has rerun a few accessories with colors slightly different from the originals, the color choice does justice and then some to this postwar reproduction.
During the postwar period the Culvert Loader and Unloader were sold with the required culvert car. The 1999 Celebration Series product doesn’t include a culvert car, so you’ll need to buy one or use a suitable substitute.
The loader was very easy to set up. Simply connect two wires to the on/off switch and two wires to the A and U terminals of your transformer and you’re ready to go.
The structure has an optical sensor built into the side of the platform and in the side of a support for the crane. The sensor prevents you from dumping the metal culverts onto an empty track – a maneuver highly discouraged since the track will likely be powered, and sparks will fly.
Once you press the activation button two lights begin to flash on the overhead crane. The lights signal the start of the loading procedure. The device will lift all of the culverts you can feed into the sloped loading area.
There is enough of a time lag between the loading of individual culverts that you could easily nudge one car forward and keep loading as long as you have enough culverts and cars to put them in! The loading sequence stops when you turn off the switch.
Motor noise was minimal, about that of the recent no. 164 log loader. It struck some observers that it was quieter than similar postwar accessories. In any event, you won’t need to shout to be heard over this model.
On the down side, one of the flashing lights on our unit stopped working after about 15 minutes of use. A little fiddling with the wiring didn’t fix it so this loader will be making a trip back to the dealer for a check up.
Lionel advised dealers that some loaders may drop culverts off-center. We encountered no show-stopping difficulty along this line, but if you do, contact your dealer or Lionel.
CTT also received feedback from users who had difficulty trying to run steam locomotives through the accessory. It appears as though the running gear of some steamers may hit the optical sensor lens when the rods are revolving into the right place at just the right time when passing the sensor.
Although CTT didn’t encounter this difficulty, as the photo at right shows an MTH RailKing Berkshire passing the accessory doesn’t have too much leeway to get through. If your lens was installed a wee bit too far out, it might get bumped by a side rod.
In a nutshell the Culvert Loader is an improvement on the original postwar model. If your layout has the space, this is a busy accessory that will look right at home amid the postwar forklifts or modern intermodal gear.
Good article – helped sway my decision to pick-up a culvert loader and unloader at the Train Show this weekend. The vendor said it was unused (still in the boxes and looks new) and I got both sets for a great price. Set-up was a breeze but I kept my fingers crossed when I first applied power – but the system works like a champ. The combined set eats up a sizable 26" x 9" chunk of real estate, so it may take some creative reorganizing on an established layout. It looks great and my two young boys were mesmerized with the action. The culverts run from the unloader unit direct to the loader – pretty slick! Unfortunately, it doesn't work with fastrack (I've got a fastrack layout) and I couldn't find a lionel culvert gondola (6-19485) at the show. Hmmm, the hunt is on….
GREAT ACC. BUT I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE TRACK TO FIT IN THE TRAY WHEN THE LOADER AND UNLOADER WERE USED TOGETHER