| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
 Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 12:07:08
|
Since I’ve gotten to that point where I’m transporting my Ruby to steam-ups, I thought I’d document my combined loco carrier, tool box and steam up supply case. I purchased a case and made a loco carrier and tool tray to fit inside.
The basic box is a cosmetics case I got on eBay (18” Long x 9 ½” Wide x 14 ½” Tall). The case came with wheels, but I removed them to eventually re-orient them.
The lockable top opens. The top has some pouches for storage. I’ve made a tool tray that sits atop the loco carrier.
The front opens to expose a number of places to store items needed for running, i.e. water & oil syringes, oilers, steam oil, lighters, flashlight, etc.
Removing the tool tray exposes the loco carrier and a place for a couple of butane canisters.
The carrier lifts out staight up.
This part of the carrier was inspired by Jack Thompson’s (Big65Dude) loco carrier’s thread. Thank you, Jack!!
I made my version of the carrier out of 1/8” 5025 aluminum sheet, some 1” angle and a 4 foot long, 2” wide aluminum carpenter’s rule (cheaper than the raw stock, go figure). The carrier is 14 1/2" Long x 10 1/2" Tall x 6" Wide.
The carrier has side doors (3 1/2" tall)that are closed to secure the loco between foam strips. I used barrel locks on the inside of the door instead on the outside. The hinge is a 1/8” dia. braising rod that runs the length of the door, secured by screws…with the ends of the rod protruding through a hole in the end panels. The space in the case limited me to a 6 inch width overall, so to get the maximum width inside for the engine and an adequate amount of foam, hinges and barrel locks are on the inside of the doors. This provided a smooth exterior so that the carrier will side easily down into its space in the case.
The carrier is designed to allow the engine to get a head of steam right in the carrier, if needed, and then be placed on the tracks & driven out of the carrier right onto the track.
The gap in the carrier’s floor simulates the inside edges of the track’s width (45mm)
The bottom edges of the floor will have a rabbet 1/16” deep x 5/32” wide so that it will sit securely on top of the running track. Jack’s thread has good close-ups of this detail.
The end view shows the construction of the bottom.
I tried the case and loco carrier this weekend and it worked out quite nice.
|
Edited by - on 12 Sep 2006 13:54:29
|
|
|
Foreman
USA
|
Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 12:21:52
|
F-A-N-C-Y!!!!!, And here I just use one of those cheapy wooden toolboxes from Lowes for my Ida. Guess I better not let HER see it or she'll want new digs, too.  |
 |
|
|
Foreman
|
Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 15:13:42
|
If you like those wooden tool boxes, better snap them up. When I got the last one at my local Lowe's, they advised that they were no longer carrying them as a standard item, but might have more at Christmas. Three other Lowe's stores were sold out when I got there.
Mike |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 16:52:08
|
Looks nice-but tell me that the 4th pic does not look like a big DEAD BLOW HAMMER next to the engine! |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 12 Sep 2006 : 19:47:53
|
| An excelent case to go with your superb loco. Great going Howard!!! |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 08:50:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by Mik
F-A-N-C-Y!!!!!, And here I just use one of those cheapy wooden toolboxes from Lowes for my Ida. Guess I better not let HER see it or she'll want new digs, too.
Well Allen, it's not so FANCY, but very utilitarian. After using it at its first steam-up, I find it too small to fit in everything I needed. A jealous IDA, never!!
quote:
Originally posted by ripperj
Looks nice-but tell me that the 4th pic does not look like a big DEAD BLOW HAMMER next to the engine!
Keith...hahaha, well I was never very good a photo composition...great observation.
quote:
Originally posted by placitassteam
An excelent case to go with your superb loco. Great going Howard!!!
Winn...thanks for the nice comment, this has been a labor of love. |
Edited by - on 14 Sep 2006 08:51:53 |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 09:23:16
|
A slick modification of a kool case, looks like it could even be used as a seat alongside the right of way, great job...
bill |
|
|
|
Foreman
USA
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 16:02:29
|
You want to see a pretty carrying case -- not one to travel with, but great for carrying to local SteamUps, check this out...
 |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 19:22:04
|
quote:
Originally posted by BillnAZ
A slick modification of a kool case, looks like it could even be used as a seat alongside the right of way, great job...
bill
Thanks bill.....It was fun to plan and make. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear strong enough to sit on.
|
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 19:24:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by steamtom1
You want to see a pretty carrying case -- not one to travel with, but great for carrying to local SteamUps, check this out...
Tom, it's not only pretty, it's a work of art.
|
|
|
|
Engineer
1st Class Member
|
Posted - 14 Sep 2006 : 21:57:41
|
Now that looks like a case that would keep my steamer safe from klutzy fingers! (mine! ) Congrats on a very nice adaptation! |
|
|
|
Foreman
USA
|
Posted - 15 Sep 2006 : 12:45:15
|
It is truly a work of art, but I can't take credit for creating it. I can't even take credit for owning it. It belongs to a friend.
I posted it as an example of what some really talented people can accomplish. |
|
|
|
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
|
Posted - 01 Nov 2006 : 20:32:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by maculsay
The gap in the carrier’s floor simulates the inside edges of the track’s width (45mm)
The bottom edges of the floor will have a rabbet 1/16” deep x 5/32” wide so that it will sit securely on top of the running track. The end view shows the construction of the bottom.
In time for this last Saturday's steamup at Bill Turkel's, I made the last planned step on my Loco Carrier.
I used my router with a rabbet bit to make the 1/16" deep by 5/32" wide cut.
...just enough for the entire carrier to sit securely down on the running track.
Each end of 2 bottom floor plates (top edge) was filed down to create a ramp allowing for easily rolling the engine on and off the carrier without having to lift it out.
One side benefit I hadn't planned on was to invert the carrier to provide an eye-level "fire-her-up" work surface. The wheels securely fit into the newly rabbeted slots. I no longer get a bad crick in my neck when trying to peer into the smokebox and flue to see the flame down at table/track level.
All-in-all, this has turned out well...thanks to the inspiration I got from Jack Thompson's (Big65Dude) thread on his loco carrier.
|
Edited by - on 02 Nov 2006 22:49:42 |
|
|
|
Conductor
USA
|
Posted - 02 Nov 2006 : 12:16:07
|
Howard,
That is a good looking loco. Have you posted any photos of it in action, or have you written about it?
cheers |
|
|
|
Brakeman
USA
|
Posted - 02 Nov 2006 : 15:11:43
|
| Howard, Have been following the build on your engine, and its looks great. I have a Mimi that I have been working over using some of your ideas. Thanks for the inspiration. I have a suggestion on lighting the burner, get a 2 inch inspection mirror from your auto parts place. I use it to monitor the burner as I steam up my Mimi and it works great. No more singed eyebrows ! |
|
|
|
Brakeman
Canada
|
Posted - 02 Nov 2006 : 16:19:12
|
Nice case! Where can I get one because I'm not good at retro-fitting things. I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind the cosmetics, and I get a carrying case.....everyone wins.
Ron |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
All Forums
Transporting my Ruby
Forum Locked
Printer Friendly