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Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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 Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 13:21:31
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No, I’m not talking about crazy mailmen… ("loco carriers" - get it?)
This topic came up in the Beginners Forum when a guy named Mike Rogers asked about transporting model engines and a bunch of other guys responded with some really good photos and descriptions of their methods. At one point, Torby opined that he’d like to have a loco carrier that would allow him to drive his locos onto and off the track under their own power.
It was then I decided to put in my two-cents worth with some photos of a couple of carriers I built that allow me to do just that. There has been some subsequent interest in further details on their construction, so I’ve opened this new topic with some photos to show what I did.
This is one I made for my lighter B'mann plastic locos.
The base is built up with two aluminum contractor's rules (big 2"-wide yardsticks) from Home Depot. With my router, I made a shallow rabbet cut along the bottom edges, about as wide as the top of a rail, so I can set it down on a straight section and drive the loco on and off under its own power. The inside dimension between the two base plates is exactly 45mm.
I also filed the tops down on each end to create little ramps. (More detail on how I did that later.)
The loco gets is power through the aluminum base plates that are in direct contact and aligned with the track on the layout.
Pieces of foam rubber keep the locos snug and in place when the sides are raised and secured with barrel bolts.
Here are some close-ups of the edge of the base plates. You can also see how I put the wood and metal parts together. The carrier is aligned with the track by the rabbeted notches on the underside of the plates. I used a router table with a fence to make the rabbets. By the way, the aluminum cuts easily and does not dull or harm the router bits.
I cut another rabbet in the long wooden rail to which the metal base plate is attached. It’s about a half-inch wide and exactly as deep as the thickness of the metal stock. The plates are glued ‘n’ screwed into the rabbet from the underside. I countersunk the holes – set about an inch and a half apart along the rail – and used short flathead woodscrews so that the bottom of the carrier is completely flat. I had to bevel the inside top edges of the wood in order to clear the cylinders, valve gear and other overhanging parts of the loco as it runs on and off the carrier.
If you can find aluminum bar stock wider than two inches to use, then that last step probably won’t be necessary. BTW, I wouldn’t try using anything less than two inches wide, either – at least not for 1:20.3 scale steam locos.
After I cut the rabbet on the underside of the plate, I filed a ramp on the top side about a half-inch long to smooth the transition between track and carrier. As you can see, it’s about the same width as the rabbet notch underneath. (When I painted it with a rattle-can, I masked off the top, side and bottom of the plate to assure good electrical contact.)
Here’s how the whole thing sits on the track.
These next three shots show the same thing from another angle.
Since brass and steel Accucraft models are much heavier, I built this heavy-duty version to carry my C-21. I used the same techniques, just adding a center support and two sets of side panels instead of one.
Again, you can see here how I put all the parts together.
I haven’t drawn up any plans for this – I tend to do things “by guess and by golly” – so don’t ask me to send you any, but don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you may have.
I do hope this inspires you to try to build carriers of your own. If you do, I’d love to see photos of the results of your efforts. Good luck.
Jack Thompson
Reston, Virginia
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Edited by - on 13 Jan 2006 18:35:39
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Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 13:31:59
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That's some gorgeous artwork you've got there Jack... and the locos look pretty nice too!
If I ever get one of my steamers operational I now know how I'll be transporting them. ; ] I admit it now, I will be stealing this idea from you sometime in the future!
Trot, the honest, fox... |
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Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 13:40:29
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Trot, m'boy - you're welcome to it!
Jack |
Edited by - on 13 Jan 2006 15:15:48 |
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Foreman
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 15:30:45
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| Those very nice Jack! Gonna have to print and keep this so I can try to make one of those for myself..... |
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Railway Exec (Moderator)
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 18:06:37
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| Jack, they're fabulous! I'll be printing this out, too. One question...are the wire cables on the Accucraft carrier insurance against the carrier buckling due to the added weight? |
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Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 18:31:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Timmy
Jack, one question...are the wire cables on the Accucraft carrier insurance against the carrier buckling due to the added weight?
Tim,
Absolutely right. I can't tighten them fully without bowing the whole thing up at the ends (making it impossible for the loco to drive onto the carrier from the tracks) so I've got them set just this side of "taut" in order to pick up any unexpected strain. I suppose I could have gotten away without them, but they seemed like good insurance at the time.
Jack |
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Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 21:10:51
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Jack, it is people like you that make this forum and MLS work. I really want to tell you how much I appreciate your going the extra mile to post what you have designed and made, and are willing to share with others.
You and those who share their expertise with others on MLS does not go unnoticed in this forum.
If you ever visit Northern California, I will make sure you get some log time on a real 1:1 railroad, my treat. (GP40's)
Mike Rogers
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Edited by - on 13 Jan 2006 21:19:50 |
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Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 13 Jan 2006 : 23:20:36
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Kind words, Mike. Thank you.
Jack |
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Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 09:56:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Big65Dude
.....The carrier is aligned with the track by the rabbeted notches on the underside of the plates. I used a router table with a fence to make the rabbets. By the way, the aluminum cuts easily and does not dull or harm the router bits.....
Jack, thanks for documenting your great loco carrier. I've built one to fit inside a carrying case/tool box for my live steamer.
Steaming up right in the carrier looked like a practical idea whenever steam up bays are in short supply. Then I can carry it to the running track and drive the loco right off onto the track.
I tried to use my Dremel Tool with a router base attachment to make the rabbet in the contractor's rule, but was unsuccessful. So now I will give my full-sized router a try.
I'm interested in what kind of router bit you used to make the rabbet. Was it a special kind of router bit, like carbide tipped, or what.
Thanks, in advance for any help you can give me.
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Engineer
USA
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Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 20:34:37
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| Very nice! I am going to have to try something like that! |
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Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 23:39:32
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quote:
Originally posted by maculsay
I'm interested in what kind of router bit you used to make the rabbet. Was it a special kind of router bit, like carbide tipped, or what.
Thanks, in advance for any help you can give me.
Howard,
Just a plain ol' garden-variety router from Sears - in a router table. Same with the bits - the aluminum cuts pretty easily so a bit intended for wood will work fine. Doesn't even dull the cutting edges.
Good luck.
Jack |
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Railway Exec (Moderator)
1st Class Member
United Kingdom
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Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 03:36:08
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Hi Jack,
Thanks for a very good article, that is most helpful. |
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Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 04:24:09
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| Wow, Great job, Jack. Thanks for posting that. |
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Conductor
1st Class Member
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Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 15:20:09
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What a great design! I have a very heavy USATrains Hudson which needs a better carrier. I look forward to following your good example.
Llyn |
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