Gilbert produced the American Flyer Operating Dump Car from 1953 to 1956. The car was designed to simulate a coal dump car. The operator would pull the car up using a locomotive would use a track clip and remote control button to activate the car.
The American Flyer No. 779 Oil Drum Loader is one of the more fascinating Gilbert accessories. Featuring continuous action (as long as the oil drums are removed from the destination car and reloaded into the feed ramp), the “fork lift” shuttles back and forth from the loading ramp to the gondola parked on a siding next to the Loader.