Large Scale Central

Loading Ramp

Problem Solving
#1

I store my live steam Shay in it’s shipping carrier. I installed rail in the carrier but it’s always been difficult to unload. This picture shows a short section of track being used to connect it to my fold-up bridge. That worked, but the loco is facing the wrong way for start-up servicing.

I played around with with a PVC ramp, but was having problems transitioning from the plastic ramp to rail, so I decided it made more sense to make the ramp from rail.

I started with two 1 foot LGB rails and ground a shallow angle at one end. Aristo ties were epoxied on to hold the gauge at the top and a brass gauge bar soldered on just before the taper. I also soldered on some ears on the inside of the taper to hold the ramp in place. Here it is in test mode…

This is just over a 10% grade…

Notice that the joiners have been bent down to allow the tradition to level track in the carrier.

With the railroad covered in deep snow drifts the next chance I’ll get to run the Shay will be next weekend in Scranton where the ramp will get it’s first live test.

#2

Nifty!

#3

Cant wait to see it

#4

Thanks Shawn - I’m hoping these weather threats for the weekend turn out to be just that.

#5

I once built a carrying cradle for an engine that looked like a gallows style turntable and had a spot in my train yard where the track rose up to meet the cradle 3\4 inch plus the track then to move the engine off it I used alligator clips to power the cradle tracks.

Maybe you should have a specific track spot that you could drop your cradle into and have your engine roll rigth off?

#6

Thanks Todd. I was actually thinking of doing something similar, but this engine travels a lot and no one else would have that custom made loading spot. It’s common to have an end door/ramp on wood carriers (see Ken Brunt’s designs on here somewhere).

The ramp got it’s real test Sunday at the PAGRS Steam-Up in Scranton. It worked perfectly. Only issue was that the carrier fouls the second track so I needed to be sure there was no traffic.

#7

…(http://www.freethoughtnation.com/components/com_comment/joscomment/emoticons/funny/images/smile.png)…

#8

Jon,

Have you ever seen the hollow Bachmann straight track I use for the ten wheeler? I’ll bring it to York. There is value to that Bachmann track.

#9

Oh, right, Ric… Good thinking. I can see how the B’mann track could work out well for this - just spread the rail a bit and slip it down over the real track… have I got it? As for myself, I don’t have to deal with all Jon’s concerns, live steam, traveling to different pikes and so forth. When I set up at a show it’s for kids, it’s electric and small locos and it’s all pretty simple, but I really like Todd’s turntable idea for bringing my locos in and out from the yard… I guess that’s primarily what that was about, was it Todd?

Good thread.

#10

Well, I really saw the value of 4 wheel cars at Scranton on Sunday. Thomas coaches go on the track with one hand and hardly a glance :]

Even at home, if I never traveled, I store the LS Shay in it’s carrier. Because it’s a Shay, you really don’t want to ever take it off track because of the drive line links. They can be quite difficult to get back together and in-phase.

@Ric - That sounds good. I never had any Bachmann Track. York is very iffy for me this this year.

#11

John and Jon,

The idea is not mine, it came from Greg Vocks. I’ll get some pictures at York, if not before.

How it works, is just like you said John. You slightly spred the hollow rail over the 332 rail. Remove all but about 4 ties to space where they sit on the rail at the proper angle to align with the storage cradle. For the 10 wheeler storage case, there are notches in the case floor to align with the rail’a gauging.

#12

Jon Radder said:

…York is very iffy for me this this year.

Hope you can make it, Jon. I’m coming down just to meet some of the gang from this forum, with a few other guys and we’re sharing gas costs and hotel rooms. We might have half a room to spare if that helps… will come to under $30.00 per night, I think, but I can’t promise right now as others are involved. I’d sure like to meet you if you can do it…