Live Steam article about track level cart

This forum is dedicated to Riding Scale Railroading with propulsion using other than steam (Hydraulics, diesel engines, gas engines, electric motors, hybrid etc.)

Moderator: Harold_V

User avatar
Benjamin Maggi
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

A club member remembered an article in Live Steam magazine about building a 2-axle car that was used to check the cross elevation and general "levelness" of track. A review of the LS online index didn't reveal anything. Does anyone remember an article about this? I believe it was likely in the 1970s.

Thanks.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
chrfitt
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:45 pm
Location: Allegan, Mi

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by chrfitt »

Benjamin,

Can't help with the article in Live Steam, but here is an article that I remembered in the Discover Live Steam e-magazine
http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazine/156/index.htm
Hope this helps.

Chris
Modeling in 2.5 scale
User avatar
BAdams
Posts: 248
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:15 pm
Location: Moreno Valley, CA

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by BAdams »

Benjamin - John Yells had an article on one in The Home Railway Journal, Fall 2007 in the "Making Chips" section, Page 16.

Brook
boaterri
Posts: 264
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2004 2:28 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by boaterri »

Look here: http://www.newrr.com/2003NEWRRSITE/LTHSC.html

About half-way down the article shows pictures and a description of how and where their rail geometry car is used.

Rick
User avatar
Benjamin Maggi
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Thank you all for your help!
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
greenwind
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:59 am
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by greenwind »

Benjamin,

Live Steam July 1976 pg. 17
Greenwind
User avatar
jschoenly
Posts: 176
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 7:51 pm
Location: Spring City, PA

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by jschoenly »

I just happen to have take this picture from an article in live steam. Can verify the issue as I'd have to find that box of magazines again! It was issues from 1966-1979 so it could very well be the 1976 article.
Attachments
971574_10202583365923319_1849686484_n.jpg
Jared Schoenly

Cabin Fever Expo
Model Engineering of all sorts.....
User avatar
Bill Wilkins
Posts: 358
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:59 pm
Location: Northwestern Ohio

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Bill Wilkins »

Micro switches and LEDs could be used in this type of Track level car. LED's would simply light when track is out of kilter. One could be used for track guage also.
Plum Cove Chassis, freelance body - 2008 - Present
Wabash 569 - Allen Mogul - April 09-Jan 12
Bob Snippe Alco S-4 - Feb 12 - Apr 15
User avatar
Dick_Morris
Posts: 2841
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Anchorage, AK

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Dick_Morris »

A couple of these levels on the car (http://www.grizzlyimports.com/products/ ... vel/T21562) or one of the cube levels and an inexpensive digital level with a laser (http://www.grizzlyimports.com/products/ ... ser/T21566) to get the bigger picture forward or behind would only set you back about $50 and save the work of making the pointers. To avoid the work of making wheels for a seldom used car, four cheap ball bearings in place of wheels and fixed guides in place of flanges would get you going in a couple of hours. I think you can even get cheap ball bearings with a thin flange that might work.
Oilcan
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:24 pm
Location: Northern Michigan

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Oilcan »

Nice ideas, Dick. Maybe I could get you to write up the project for the magazine? Those new-fangled digital levels sure changes the flavor of the project!

Neil
Editor Emeritus - Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading
Allen Mogul under construction
Electric RS3
Stationary Steam
User avatar
Dick_Morris
Posts: 2841
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 2:09 pm
Location: Anchorage, AK

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Dick_Morris »

Anyone who wants to run with my suggestions is welcome to them. All my spare time is going towards getting ARR 557 back to operation.
User avatar
Erskine Tramway
Posts: 390
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:13 pm
Location: South Dakota
Contact:

Re: Live Steam article about track level cart

Post by Erskine Tramway »

Here's what I use on my 7-1/2" gauge railway.

It's a pair of trailer jacks mounted on a wooden frame, with a steel angle to hold a "pendulum" level. It runs on 4 wheels I got off E-Bay.

I just bought a laser level to use for raising and levelling track. The second photo shows it in operation.

Mike
Attachments
My MOW cars, the surfacing car and the tool/rail roller car.
My MOW cars, the surfacing car and the tool/rail roller car.
Raising track with the laser level.
Raising track with the laser level.
Former Locomotive Engineer and Designer, Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works, Inc. and Riverside & Great Northern Railway 1962-77
BN RR Locomotive Engineer 1977-2014, Retired
Post Reply