Large Scale Central

Genuine problem

General Discussion
#21

Greg , they are called breeze blocks because they come from the same mould in effect and look the same , so your assumption is correct . Traditional names die hard , don’t they ?

The Fly Ash that used to be used for this has better uses when you can get it , it is now deemed too good for building blocks .

I think that may come down to the use of pulverised coal whereby the fly ash is more fine and regular ; the older straight coal fired power stations produced the irregular hard glassy stuff which made such good building blocks with a better compression strength than contemporary concrete and also blunted all my drills when trying to hang pictures on the wall .

I understand that one use of the fly ash from powdered coal is in cladding in nuclear power plants , but I have no idea exactly how .

Mike Brit

#22

Rolling a breeze block as previously mentioned .

Not so easy , apart from the weight , it tends to suddenly run away when just over-centre , in part due to the foam rubber being a bit unpredictable ----its resistance changes dramatically when the corners of the block start to dig in . It also “gives” horizontally , which was a bit unexpected when it shifted the apparent c of g .

I have to say , it is more easy to control just the loco , though that gets a bit ratty when the tender is still connected .

I think that the answer lies in a very lightweight padded box , or even just a padded frame .

The snag with a frame is that it tends to be loco specific , but may be useful if the sides are hinged (like a “U” that can flatten out) . Cabs of locos tend to be of similar height , so the padding at one end would cope , but at the smokebox end would have to be variable length wise .

We’ll get there , nothing’s impossible .

Mike Brit

#23

I think the concept of having the strength to move the block, was to see if you could handle that weight. Though it slid or slipped, ypu did do it. So straps, a lip, rubber no slip padding or foam could handle the slipping/sliding problems. Now you just have to apply what you learned.

Thinking of a cart or a shelf with track on it to get the engine or rolling stock to an area where you can work on it. Then lay it over on to the padded area.

Yep, as you said nothing’s impossible. Just sometimes it takes a “sky hook” or a great deal of muscle. But the number one objective is to keep it prototypical and fun. Physics and gravity are your friends, but they do have a sadistic attitude when it comes to humor. Much like a bunch of guys I know.

#24

Ric , as always , your help is appreciated , so much so that I will do the cleaning up that you were threatened with .

Seriously , getting suggestions like yours does lead to more rational thinking , and I shall think on what you said .

I think we can come up with an answer between us .

Mike Brit

#25

Sounds like you need a Hay Trolley.

In barns simple strap rails were suspended and trollies with pulleys lifted the bales and another rope tugged it around from one end to the other…

Put the hooks to your carrier, lift and pull to position.

Lower and play.

John

#26

How about building or adapting something like these:

Proses Rotating Cradle

Train Work Station (near bottom of page)

Goldinhands

Work Cradle

#27

John Caughey said:

Sounds like you need a Hay Trolley.

In barns simple strap rails were suspended and trollies with pulleys lifted the bales and another rope tugged it around from one end to the other…

Put the hooks to your carrier, lift and pull to position.

Lower and play.

John

John , thanks , fantastic idea .

The problem is , the Chandelier is in the way .

Mike Brit

#28

Mark Hadler said:

How about building or adapting something like these:

Proses Rotating Cradle

…

Or for larger projects

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABMBIHza6tA[/youtube]

#29

Mark Hadler said:

How about building or adapting something like these:

Proses Rotating Cradle

Train Work Station (near bottom of page)

Goldinhands

Work Cradle

Mark , they look quite good and could be the basis for a solution , thanks .

Mike Brit

#30

Mike Morgan said:

John Caughey said:

Sounds like you need a Hay Trolley.

In barns simple strap rails were suspended and trollies with pulleys lifted the bales and another rope tugged it around from one end to the other…

Put the hooks to your carrier, lift and pull to position.

Lower and play.

John

John , thanks , fantastic idea .

The problem is , the Chandelier is in the way .

Mike Brit

Priorities man, priorities!

There’s a model with swivel wheel mounts, for dodging life’s obstacles…

John

#31

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

Mark Hadler said:

How about building or adapting something like these:

Proses Rotating Cradle

…

Or for larger projects

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABMBIHza6tA[/youtube]

Hans , good idea , but I am not into industrial welding of my locos .

Mike Brit

#32

Proses Rotating Cradle

Train Work Station (near bottom of page)

Goldinhands

Work Cradle

We have some work cradles like this in our club’s equipment. They work pretty good. If I’m not mistaken, part of Mike’s concern is the lifting to get something in to a work cradle. So he needs something, he can use to roll on wheels the loco or piece of rolling stock to the bench. Then grip it, secure it and roll on to its side.

Mike, do you have a siding or shelf where you could move an engine to a rolling cart? Maybe on to a piece of plywood with velcro straps to make sure it doesn’t become shrapnel when going and coming from the bench. Can you work from the cart or can you rig something to allow you to slide equipment off the cart on to your work bench, without lifting? Foam, towels or whatever can provide padding

#33

Ric , you are quite correct .

It’s a double whammy really , I can’t bend to lift anything from floor level , so our layout in progress is at waist level .

We are looking at extending a siding onto a suitable wheeled trolley which could incorporate a rotating cradle , because my lift capacity is about ten pounds without severe pain . (I don’t really want to bore everyone with the details of the injuries) .

I can now see that things are not so difficult ; my Son is quite adept at woodworking and he will be able to rig something up .

I’ll try to keep you in the picture .

Thanks everyone for the suggestions , it shows that this site can come up with solutions to all sorts of odd problems .

Mike Brit