PRODUCT REVIEW: 1:22.5 SCALE OPERATING DUMP CAR
Manufacturer: LGB of America, 6444 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, CA 92121. Price: 41610 ready-to-run remote controlled automatic dump car $190.95 suggested list; 10154 disengaging rail section $54.75 suggested list.
THE SMALLER SCALES have enjoyed automatic model railroad equipment for decades. Lionel and American Flyer popularized them. HO scale trains made some use of automation. Now LGB introduces a remote controlled automatic dump car in 1:22.5 scale. It comes with a load of ten red plastic barrels but you may use the car to haul and dump such coarse material as pea gravel or large chunks of synthetic coal.
Setup and operation are simple: Insert the 10154 track section into the layout, connect a pair of wires from the relay box to a 51750 control panel you must purchase separately, connect the control panel to the power pack, the power pack to the rails, and position the dump car on the special track section. When you press the toggle switch on the control panel upwards, one side of the car body raises and dumps the load into a cast plastic retaining area (part of the track section). When you lower the toggle switch, the car body returns to its normal horizontal position. As you might expect from LGB, the unit functions perfectly.
The track section is 2 feet long, exactly the same as LGB's standard 1060 straight section. The 10154 relay box is an integral part of the section. The durable gray plastic retaining area connects to the track section by means of a pair of plastic tabs; they simply slip between the ties and a small plastic ridge prevents the casting from moving.
The European style dump car has black roller bearing style sideframes and LGB metal wheels, a gray car body, and a yellow-orange superstructure. As with all LGB models, the primary material is very high quality and durable plastic. Only the wheel tires, screws, and electrical hardware are metal. The quality of the castings and assembly meets LGB's usual outstanding standards. We are unable to comment on the accuracy of the car's dimensions and detail because the car represents an unknown European prototype. It measures 14 3/4 actual inches long over the end sills by 4 3/4 inches wide across the top by 4 1/4 inches high over the top sill.
If you enjoy layout automation and excellent quality, you will want to audition LGB's automatic dump car.-RR
