Locomotive Stands

[clinch670]

I am currently designing some locomotive stands for a few diffrent types of locomotives. I would like to see some that you guys have to give me a broad range of ideas.

Thanks
clinch670

[Bill Shields]

fixed height or variable?

what size locos?

[clinch670]

The stands will be fixed height. I am building 3 stands (loco and tender) for a challenger. I am building them so that the can connect together or be seperate. Also building a stand for my 1.6 scale E8. Would like to incorporate rollers in the challenger stand so it can run on air in the rack.

-clinch670

[Bill Shields]

I built mine out of 3" channel, using casters good for way more than the loco / stand weigh.

I also put in a section of drop out so that I can pull a wheel set.

I don't specifically have any pics of the stand...but





the most expensive part of the stand was the wheels. DON'T make the mistake of getting only steerable wheels for one end....unless you are very good at driving a fork-truck...

[Dan Willey]

This is my 7.5 " gauge engine stand made from 2" square tubing. The rails are made from 1" angle. The stand is made such that the engine hoist legs will just fit under the bottom rails of the stand so the hoist can be manipulated all around the stand. I made two stands.. one for the engine and a shorter one for the tender. Both stand can be bolted together to make one long stand if necessary.

[Bill Shields]

FWIW:

My stand is a good work height without bending over...about 48" to the rails.

There are a few time when I find it a bit high, but 99% of the time I am VERY HAPPY that it is high enough that I can work on the guts of the loco without bending over...

You'll understand as you get older....

[Rockhouse]

My stand is 32 inches high and eight feet long. It is built entirely of wood 2x4's with 1 inch angle iron for the rail thanks to the help from some fiine folks on this and another forum

[bcody]

Another factor to consider is will your stand height match your transport vehicle bed height? I made my stands lower (33") so I can go directly from my stands to the bed of my 3/4 ton Dodge HD PU. I also have a hoist (Jan/Feb 2004) because I transport and store my train equipment in a two axle covered trailer and the floor is only about 8" above the floor of my shop. Bill

[Fred_V]

here is one built from 3" channel.
fred v

[willy]

Careful Fred, having your wheels so close to the width of the track will make the cart feel "tippy".

Just a observation.

Now that I am building a steamer again, I will have to build one once again. The style that Dan Wiley built looks interesting as the cross beam is high enough for the floor crane to roll under. Just something I will keep in mind.

[SteveM]

Chuck Hackett built a nice one.



It even collapses flat for storage and transportation.

He talks about design and construction here:
http://whitetrout.net/Chuck/EngineStand/Index.htm

John Yells also made one based on Chuck's design. His discussion is here:
http://www.comnett.net/~jryells/extra/engstd.html

Steve

[Berne Ketchum]

Here's my stand, adjustable in height from about 14" to just over 5'. I can use it to put my locomotive at a convenient height for work, or raise and lower rolling stock for storage in stacked racks, or load the pickup. The track is suspended on four 1/4" cables attached via pulleys to a T holding a bronze nut driven by a single Acme-threaded rod centered under the track. The rod is turned by a 1/2 hp motor. It's not particularly sophisticated, but it works and I've been using it for about 10 years with no problem. Obviously, I don't roll it around the shop with the locomotive elevated. The design resulted from trying use what I had lying around to minimize cost and the number of parts. I think I have about $250 in it.