Operating Rotary Dumper - LIVE Coal Loads in HO Scale

Here's a closer look at our operating rotary dumper on the layout, and the next part of the our series on live coal loads on the layout! If you haven't seen the first 2 parts, check them out below! A huge thanks to Grayson Moore for his help on this project, and props to pops for the great scratch built structure. Thanks for watching! - Josh

[jimaz]

It’s only my humble opinion, but this rotary system is truly the most impressive feature I’ve ever seen on any layout. So unique and realistic. Thanks for sharing. 🚂

[oldgoat]

This rotary dumper has got to be, hands down, one of the coolest things I've ever seen on any layout thus far. Kudos to your dad and friend for the work that went into doing this masterful piece of mini-engineering. As an engineer myself, I appreciate their efforts.

[jacebeleren]

As someone working at a power plant I commend your knowledge of coal storage and approach to realism on that conveyor. Looks just like what I see every day

[piatpotatopeon]

That was some cool stuff! I was blown away by the amount of effort that went into the rotary dumper. I also like how the "coal" is real, and not just a textured plate in the car. I didn't realize that until it poured out.

[boylesterminalshops]

Idk why, but the narration and dubbed audio in this video really reminded me of the old Trains Across America series

[MattsTrainsTractors]

Your layout is so impressive that it puts real life to shame

[cbgadget]

All I can say is model railroading don’t get no better than this. You and your Dad’s layout is absolutely awesome and this coal tipper set up is tops in my humble opinion. Thanks for sharing
👍👍👍😎😎😎 Cary

[disturbed]

Working on my layout again I can feel and realize the pain staking detail you put in every aspect of your layout, truly museum quality hands down. Awesome detail Josh and Tom!

[BlindingLight]

The fact that you add the sound effects in makes it seem much more immersive

[warbonnet]

I've been in model railroading for over twenty years and have successfully built a number of animated devices on my layout. But all my attempts pale to what you have accomplished here. By far this is the coolest operating model coal loader and unloader I have ever witnessed. I don't know how many brains went into this project but every aspect has been taken into consideration, right down to those awesome sounds used in the operation.
My hat is off to you gentlemen and I will anxiously await to see your next project. I can only imagine

[dibley]

Regardless of whether it is fully prototypical it is an amazing bit of kit with fantastic operational potential. Thanks for sharing.

[joseescamilla]

at 12:54 could not help notice the HO scale woman laying on the ground next to Mr. HO man just chilling with his book

[jimtedesco]

I am truly amazed at the reliability of your coal dumper.

[gangsterdiesel]

Very nice layout, video done well . I enjoy all your videos 👍👍👍

[HeavyHaulKen]

Nice car dumper!
I was in a HO modular club back in the mid 80's in Dallas-Fort Worth. I built a car dumper to take to the shows. Ted Mars had a small module that had a mine, he converted the mine to load the coal (asphalt roofing granules). The trains moved the loads to the dockside yard, then the switcher moved them to the dumper.
My dumper was all mechanical, no electronics. We did have microswitches on signals to the controls box. Motion was generated by a screw mechanism via wire rope. Spring loaded bars clamped the car in place. Coal was dumped into a chute. Then into an HO scale ore boat.
It was lots of fun at the railroad shows when operating, hundreds of cars emptied each day.
Hope to someday get it operating again!
The empties got pushed out the dumper onto a kick track, then into the empty yard.

[jrtortellini]

Best part of model trains is the time spent with dad. I just lost mine last year and now I cry every time I go into our train room. I should of lived in our train room so I could spend more time with him.. awsome layout . I hope you and your dad make more great memories !

[davemiller]

Another well done video. I really enjoyed see the 5071 working the dumper with her running/walk way lights on.

[chrismcpherson]

Just overwhelmingly impressive operations. I’ve checked a few of your videos and this coal series is the most miraculous thing I’ve seen on a YouTube video (model railroading). I enjoy this HO scale trains even though I have large scale trains. Norfolk Southern is my favorite railroad

[Kevin-evhw]

Thank you Josh for the great explanation on how coal is ran on the District.

[loriosterweil]

While I was watching this video, I actually forgot that I was watching a miniature. So impressive.