Large Scale Central

A new Shay tote

Modeling
#1

I recently bought a 3 truck shay with some bum wiring that goes into the tender. I fixed it up the best I could but I did not like the idea of having to pull and push this plug every time the loco wants to come out to play on the tracks so I built a tote for it.

I tried to build a tote that would look like a bridge for display purposes but I messed up and built it a bit long so now it won’t fit on the shelf but that was the idea. The crossing gates at both ends flip up pivoted on a screw. I carved out grooves for the track on the underside so the tote sits 1/4 inch lower for loading/ unloading. I have a orange LGB ramp that I use to get the Shay on and off but might need to build something a bit longer.

It is a work in progress.

#2

Nice.

#3

Todd

Looks great, sure shows people that a good strong tote is not as hard as some may think

You have a great idea and design here

Dennis

#4

Thanks guys. It is very strong but I’m still hesitant to trust just the handle even though it is glued and nailed in place I put my other hand underneath. The 3 truck shay is heavy.

I figure if I want to take it somewhere I can squeeze in some foam to keep it from wiggling and getting damaged.

Maybe someone will get an idea from my tote and build their own. My goal was to have a tote that looked good for display and was functional.

#5

Goal accomplished Todd. That is a very elegant tote. It reminded me of roofing trusses inside a round house at first glance. I can certainly see a bridge too.

I know what you mean about trusting just the handle. I was doing the same thing after building my first tote. Perhaps load it up with twice the weight of the loco and pick it up with the handle aggressively. If all goes well with that exorcise, you’ll fell much more comfortable in normal mode.

Very nice job.

#6

Your tote looks fantastic!! I’ve just finished outfitting mine with RC/Battery and taking it out to the garden is quite a process. If you don’t mind I think I might try the same as you gleaning from you picture.

Great job!!

Richard

#7

Go for it Richard and be sure to post a photo for us when you are done.

I should have figured out the loading ramp better. The one I planned on using is too short and even after cutting grooves in the bottom of the tote so it sits on the track lower the loco binds when I slide it off. I’m now designing a longer ramp to avoid this.

If you can design a tote where your engine can drive off and on that would be the best.

#8

Neat idea to make it look like a bridge.

#9

Simple, neat, attractive - and looks an easy build…Great idea.

Thanks.

#10

I love it! Great design

#11

It is a simple design, ripping the wood, cutting gluing nailing took about 3 hours. In retrospect I would not have peaked the center but made it flat instead between the center 2 uprights. I think that would have suggest more of a bridge design. The balloon stack on the shay is tall at 9" from the rail head so there was that concern.

The LGB ramp is too short so I have designed a longer one and the glue is drying as I type this.

Years ago I put together a tote for a LGB Forney and I built it to resemble a gallows style turntable bridge but it has a large handle at the top. I used this tote like a turntable. I had a spot in my train yard where the tote fit on so the engine could drive on, lift and turn train drives off. I experimented with different ways to get power to the rails but ended up using wires with alligator clips. Easy and it worked.

Thanks guys.