| The Coal Car | Der Kohlenwagen |
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The
toy works as a form of perpetual motion. It has a small type coal car or trolley with tabbed penny toy wheels. As per David Pressland "Penny Toys" book the tabbed wheels indicate pre-1905. The car sits on a small track at a 45 degree incline. On the top of the track is a trough which holds 10 ball bearings. A string is attached to the end of the car that goes to the top of the track and loops over a pulley. On the other end of the string is a lead counter weight. |
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The lead weight pulls the car up the track to the trough where it hits a toggle that drops one or more of the ball bearings in the little car. |
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When the car hits the bottom of the track a wire loop lifts the top portion of the car, dumping the bearing into a tray. |
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The weight of the bearings forces the car to descend to the bottom. |
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When the bearing is released the counter weight pulls the little car back up the track to the trough again and starts the cycle over. |
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For more information about this system look at antike Bergbahn. |