Ed, I love that Rapido video, it reminded me of when I worked at the airport. All the big courier companies had their sorting facilities at the airport so their aircraft can pull right up and load. UPS, FedEx, Purolator, Canada Post and some others are there.
Not all sorting facilities are created equal. They are all massive and have conveyors running every which way, some at warp speed. Sometimes a logjam would occur and before the belts could shut down many parcels would take the plunge, some from great heights. I was in these places often trying to hitch a ride for something.
Once this huge box of loose golf balls broke open on a conveyor that was some 40' up in the air. We had to run for cover as hundreds of golfballs were raining down on us. It took months before they all disappeared from around the plant.
I doubt the processing equipment is the same in every city for each company, but if it was, I think you would think twice about what courier company you used if you ever saw some of them.
I was thinking about my previous "where do I park my trains" comment and mentioning earthquakes. We must have had a slight shake as our pictures are all crooked on the walls. All rolling stock is still on the rails, though I have found some off the rails when we have had rumbles in the past.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Future4oo0How do you display / leave your engines at the end of a session?
Pretty much any way I feel like it.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
The same cover and sleeve that Athearn RTR and Spectrum use. But the total package that the boxed locomotive is placed in, seems to work fine.
Thanks Ed !.
Mike.
My You Tube
Leave it to Jason...
Good Luck, Ed
Doughless ATLANTIC CENTRAL Doughless riogrande5761 I would think the less you handle rolling stock the better. I would only put things back in their boxes for storage/moving/transport. Some purpose made rolling stock storage boxes are a good idea if you need to remove trains from the layout with any frequency - especially for transport. And the packaging design of new locos makes returning them to their boxes even worse than before. Many seem to be held by two screws under the tank, attached to a plastic u shaped stand that gets slid into a sleave. The U shaped stand looks like a little display stand for the pretty loco. Which is terrible for me. I always put the locos back in the boxes. Easy to do, or used to be. Stored in a clean safe place when not running. (maybe left out on the layout overnight once in a while) But now its really hard to try to remount the locos into their original packaging without shifting, repositioning, rehandling etc. to get the little holes for the sxcrews lined up. Handling locos to put back in their boxes is worse now than ever. Almost like the manufacturers provide packaging to make it easier to display the model on the stand. They can hardly even be handled to return them to a clean safe place. Just leave them out to gather dust I guess. What brand has this setup? I'm with riogrande, the less you handle them the better. The safest place is on the track. That's why I designed my layout to stage a large number of trains. Sheldon I'm speaking of diesels. The three that I know of are Atlas, Intermountain, and Fox Valley. After you remove the packaging, the locomotive still sits on a long black tray that is screwed into the bottom of the fuel tank. Now, these company's tout their models as having fine details, even proto specific details. Yet finding a way to remove the loco from the tray....even the first time when you want to test run it fresh from the box....is difficult without grasping it with a firm grip. Returning it to the tray, aligning the holes up, which is necessary to return it to the box, is pretty tedious . Designing a package where you need to grasp the loco firmly after you tout how finely detailed it is seems rather inconsistent. Unless, of course, collectors are your main customer. The 1990s Atlas boxes, with the simple styrofoam inserts, are my favorite. Mearly cut little semicircles out of the foam to place a thumb under the tank and and the index finger on the dynamic brake fan and I could successfully remove and replace the loco from its box dozens of times. Locos are the most safest from harm and dust in their boxes....not to mention unintended DCC reprogramming . The prices that are required to justify collector quality proto specific details....and now the packaging (probably at the behest of whiners complaining that a grab iron fell off during shipping)...will pretty much run me out of the new product market, since I can't run them for a while and return them safely to their containers. I'll still be in the hobby, its just that the estate buyers and private sellers on the secondary market will get most of my money. Link to a pic of a new loco on ebay. The fuel tank swims along the tray making removing the loco without a firm grasp difficult, and the swimming makes it very difficult to realign the holes if you want to store it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-HO-CSX-B23-7-With-Sound-DCC-Item-10002066-RD-3109/112981928143?hash=item1a4e3f68cf:g:sAcAAOSw5nxaXBNq
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Doughless riogrande5761 I would think the less you handle rolling stock the better. I would only put things back in their boxes for storage/moving/transport. Some purpose made rolling stock storage boxes are a good idea if you need to remove trains from the layout with any frequency - especially for transport. And the packaging design of new locos makes returning them to their boxes even worse than before. Many seem to be held by two screws under the tank, attached to a plastic u shaped stand that gets slid into a sleave. The U shaped stand looks like a little display stand for the pretty loco. Which is terrible for me. I always put the locos back in the boxes. Easy to do, or used to be. Stored in a clean safe place when not running. (maybe left out on the layout overnight once in a while) But now its really hard to try to remount the locos into their original packaging without shifting, repositioning, rehandling etc. to get the little holes for the sxcrews lined up. Handling locos to put back in their boxes is worse now than ever. Almost like the manufacturers provide packaging to make it easier to display the model on the stand. They can hardly even be handled to return them to a clean safe place. Just leave them out to gather dust I guess. What brand has this setup? I'm with riogrande, the less you handle them the better. The safest place is on the track. That's why I designed my layout to stage a large number of trains. Sheldon
Doughless riogrande5761 I would think the less you handle rolling stock the better. I would only put things back in their boxes for storage/moving/transport. Some purpose made rolling stock storage boxes are a good idea if you need to remove trains from the layout with any frequency - especially for transport. And the packaging design of new locos makes returning them to their boxes even worse than before. Many seem to be held by two screws under the tank, attached to a plastic u shaped stand that gets slid into a sleave. The U shaped stand looks like a little display stand for the pretty loco. Which is terrible for me. I always put the locos back in the boxes. Easy to do, or used to be. Stored in a clean safe place when not running. (maybe left out on the layout overnight once in a while) But now its really hard to try to remount the locos into their original packaging without shifting, repositioning, rehandling etc. to get the little holes for the sxcrews lined up. Handling locos to put back in their boxes is worse now than ever. Almost like the manufacturers provide packaging to make it easier to display the model on the stand. They can hardly even be handled to return them to a clean safe place. Just leave them out to gather dust I guess.
riogrande5761 I would think the less you handle rolling stock the better. I would only put things back in their boxes for storage/moving/transport. Some purpose made rolling stock storage boxes are a good idea if you need to remove trains from the layout with any frequency - especially for transport.
I would think the less you handle rolling stock the better. I would only put things back in their boxes for storage/moving/transport. Some purpose made rolling stock storage boxes are a good idea if you need to remove trains from the layout with any frequency - especially for transport.
And the packaging design of new locos makes returning them to their boxes even worse than before. Many seem to be held by two screws under the tank, attached to a plastic u shaped stand that gets slid into a sleave. The U shaped stand looks like a little display stand for the pretty loco.
Which is terrible for me. I always put the locos back in the boxes. Easy to do, or used to be. Stored in a clean safe place when not running. (maybe left out on the layout overnight once in a while)
But now its really hard to try to remount the locos into their original packaging without shifting, repositioning, rehandling etc. to get the little holes for the sxcrews lined up. Handling locos to put back in their boxes is worse now than ever. Almost like the manufacturers provide packaging to make it easier to display the model on the stand. They can hardly even be handled to return them to a clean safe place. Just leave them out to gather dust I guess.
What brand has this setup?
I'm with riogrande, the less you handle them the better. The safest place is on the track.
That's why I designed my layout to stage a large number of trains.
Sheldon
I'm speaking of diesels.
The three that I know of are Atlas, Intermountain, and Fox Valley. After you remove the packaging, the locomotive still sits on a long black tray that is screwed into the bottom of the fuel tank.
Now, these company's tout their models as having fine details, even proto specific details. Yet finding a way to remove the loco from the tray....even the first time when you want to test run it fresh from the box....is difficult without grasping it with a firm grip. Returning it to the tray, aligning the holes up, which is necessary to return it to the box, is pretty tedious . Designing a package where you need to grasp the loco firmly after you tout how finely detailed it is seems rather inconsistent.
Unless, of course, collectors are your main customer.
The 1990s Atlas boxes, with the simple styrofoam inserts, are my favorite. Mearly cut little semicircles out of the foam to place a thumb under the tank and and the index finger on the dynamic brake fan and I could successfully remove and replace the loco from its box dozens of times.
Locos are the most safest from harm and dust in their boxes....not to mention unintended DCC reprogramming .
The prices that are required to justify collector quality proto specific details....and now the packaging (probably at the behest of whiners complaining that a grab iron fell off during shipping)...will pretty much run me out of the new product market, since I can't run them for a while and return them safely to their containers. I'll still be in the hobby, its just that the estate buyers and private sellers on the secondary market will get most of my money.
Link to a pic of a new loco on ebay. The fuel tank swims along the tray making removing the loco without a firm grasp difficult, and the swimming makes it very difficult to realign the holes if you want to store it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-HO-CSX-B23-7-With-Sound-DCC-Item-10002066-RD-3109/112981928143?hash=item1a4e3f68cf:g:sAcAAOSw5nxaXBNq
I still don't understand what is "unsafe" about leaving trains/locomotives on the layout?
I guess my household must be dramaticly different from yours?
Dust? My train room is a finished space and I have soft brushes and comressed air.
Constantly handling high detail models, hard to rebox or not, is an invitation to broken parts in my view.
You keep refering to this new high detail models as "collector quality" pieces, well yes there is more of an HO collector market than there has ever been, but I think many prototype focused "modelers" have also driven the demand for such models - for more that 20 years now.
But I was super detailing F units 35 years ago, never had any problem figuring out a safe wayto put them in a box if I needed to move/transport them.
Please explain why models are not "safe" sitting on the track on the layout? I have never had anything magicly happen to anything on my layout in my absence?
I keep my loco boxes, I modify them as needed for storing the completed, assembled or modified model. But that process is for long term storage or moving, not to take them on and off the layout on a regular basis?
I have 130 locos, it would take all day to get them all out, or box them all up?
Atlas - I don't own any, as explained above, vey little they have ever made fits my era.
Intermountain - I have lots of their F units, non of their other locos, no issues, they go back in the box rather well.
Fox Valley - They have only made one diesel loco? Again not on my radar, way out of my era.
So this whole fuel tank mount thing was new to me.
Still trying to understand?
I understand most people operate their layouts differently, or have entirely different layouts than mine. I model a shortline that uses maximum three locos. Plenty of on layout space to store them. But, I have over 60 locos paired in various combinations that I like to run. I swap them out for variety.
Some days, I'll run the gensets with Tsunami 1 sound.
Next month, maybe the GP15s with Tsunami 2s
A week later, the Atlas ESU S2s
Maybe after that, the whisper quiet LL Proto GP18's on my wireless Aristo throttle after I throw the main layout toggle over to DC.
Maybe the High Hood beater U23Bs with QSI.
The bashed-SD35M and GP38s QSI Titans.
Or the Intermountain GP10's with ESU and dual operating rotary beacons.
I'm constantly swapping out locos from layout to boxes. Its how the layout stays interesting.
- Douglas
Link to a pic of a new loco on ebay. The fuel tank swims along the hump of the tray making removing the loco without a firm grasp difficult, and the swimming makes it very difficult to realign the holes if you want to store it.
And how they look as shipped
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATLAS-GOLD-FLORIDA-EAST-COAST-EMD-GP40-2-PHASE-2C-DCC-SOUND-NEW-IN-BOX/292451332856?epid=1387218834&hash=item44177532f8:g:PFQAAOSwWWpZ29LL
moved
On this layout I went with the minimum I could get away with, and less than ideal. It was about 7 1/2 inches from the bottom to the ceiling above (not counting the cross beams. There was just enough room so I could reach across the tops of a train to access cars at the back with the 5-fingered crain if anything needed re-railed etc. I installed two sets of re-railers to re-rail any errant wheels as trains passed in and out of the staging tracks.
The mininmal clearance was a compromise with a smallish room and keeping grades out of, and back into the staging tracks at a minimum - in my case max grade was 2.9% which two 6-axle diesels could handle a 22 car freight train.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
How much space in inches is between the two levels?
Future4oo0 Thanks all! This thread got away from me. I am still building my layout So I wasnt sure. Once it is more complete aka the mainline is all down I may leave some out in various and stategic places around the layout as it will only be me operating at the moment but maybe others in the future.
Thanks all! This thread got away from me. I am still building my layout So I wasnt sure. Once it is more complete aka the mainline is all down I may leave some out in various and stategic places around the layout as it will only be me operating at the moment but maybe others in the future.
This is where "designed-in" storage is a big help. If it is not too late, you should see if you can add any additional storage capacity in area's which can handle it, hidden or staging if possible.
Here is my storage tracks on my 10x18' layout during construction and later you can see where it is underneath the main yard:
gmpullmanAdd Atlas to that list as I seem to recall the screws into the fuel tank on those, too.
I have 4 Atlas, not sure of the series, as they have so many, and all with different colored boxes, ( 2 black boxes, 2 silver) but they have the dual mode decoders, and I've never dealt with a screw on the bottom of the tank that was part of the packaging.
They have an easy access foam cradle, like Kato, with a couple of finger holes in the back to help with removal.
P2K's, I make slight alterations in the foam so I can place the loco back in the box, with out taking it apart.
Athearn RTR and Spectrum use a top and bottom foam lined plastic shell, that snap together, and that assembly slides into a clear plastic sleave.
I don't see any difficulty in the locos I have, in removing and replacing them into the packaging.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL What brand has this setup?
I'd like to know as well. The only engines I have that seem to unfriendly for repackaging are Proto 2000 as they have the chassis packaged separately from the shell.
Most of my engines are Atlas or Athearn and both aren't very difficult to put back in their original package. I have two Paragon 2 BLI RSD15's and they appear to just slot into their styrofoam packaging. KATO too.
That's why I designed my layout to stage a large number of trains. Sheldon
Same here; even my smallish 10x18' layout had 11 storage tracks ranging from 13-22 feet long for storage of trains. I am designing in similar or greater storage capacity on a future layout design as well.
gmpullman ATLANTIC CENTRAL Bowser and Rivarossi are not on my roster, so I was not familiar with that. You're welcome, Sheldon. Add Atlas to that list as I seem to recall the screws into the fuel tank on those, too. Regards, Ed
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Bowser and Rivarossi are not on my roster, so I was not familiar with that.
You're welcome, Sheldon. Add Atlas to that list as I seem to recall the screws into the fuel tank on those, too.
Regards, Ed
Another brand I don't own since most of their stuff is too modern for my era (1954). The little bit that Atlas has offered in my era has also been offered by Proto. Being a DC operator, I tend to stick with as few brands as possible. And while very nice products, Atlas products are pricey and not as "available" without preordering.
I simply don't buy anything outside the scope of the layout theme.
ATLANTIC CENTRALBowser and Rivarossi are not on my roster, so I was not familiar with that.
gmpullman ATLANTIC CENTRAL What brand has this setup? Nearly all of the "higher-end" locomotives — and some rolling stock — have specially-engineered packaging. Exactly sized, high density foam between the handrails and hoods. Some recent Rivarossi and Bowser locomotives have screws through the carrier and into the fuel tank. You have to remove the screws and place plugs into the holes at the bottom of the fuel tank. All of this then goes into a wrap-around vacuum formed shell with a locking tab, then this slides into a sleeve that then nests into a foam padded box which itself has an outer chip-board sleeve. Even trying to get the slippery poly-wrap back around the model like whan it left the factory can be a real challenge. Athearn Genesis, Rapido, Broadway Limited, Rivarossi, Bowser and Proto by Walthers all have special clam-shell packaging that makes fitting it back into the box a very time consuming and challenging task. Some have fancy plastic spacers that fit against the pilot beams and, with steam, fitting the tender/engine harness plug can be a headache. I seem to recall an article about "cassettes" whereby a locomotive could be run onto a removable section of track that could then be fitted with a box-like cover for safe storage. Then when returning to the rails the box would be opened and the track section joined with the layout and the locomotive run out under its own power. Wasn't this popular in Japan and England? Like Sheldon, once my equipment is on the rails it pretty much stays there. Good Luck, Ed
Nearly all of the "higher-end" locomotives — and some rolling stock — have specially-engineered packaging. Exactly sized, high density foam between the handrails and hoods. Some recent Rivarossi and Bowser locomotives have screws through the carrier and into the fuel tank. You have to remove the screws and place plugs into the holes at the bottom of the fuel tank. All of this then goes into a wrap-around vacuum formed shell with a locking tab, then this slides into a sleeve that then nests into a foam padded box which itself has an outer chip-board sleeve.
Even trying to get the slippery poly-wrap back around the model like whan it left the factory can be a real challenge.
Athearn Genesis, Rapido, Broadway Limited, Rivarossi, Bowser and Proto by Walthers all have special clam-shell packaging that makes fitting it back into the box a very time consuming and challenging task.
Some have fancy plastic spacers that fit against the pilot beams and, with steam, fitting the tender/engine harness plug can be a headache.
I seem to recall an article about "cassettes" whereby a locomotive could be run onto a removable section of track that could then be fitted with a box-like cover for safe storage. Then when returning to the rails the box would be opened and the track section joined with the layout and the locomotive run out under its own power. Wasn't this popular in Japan and England?
Like Sheldon, once my equipment is on the rails it pretty much stays there.
Ed,
I am very familiar with how most locos are packed in the last 20 years, but I was refering to the ones with supports screwed to the fuel tank area. I had not seen that. So thanks for the info, Bowser and Rivarossi are not on my roster, so I was not familiar with that.
gmpullman...Like Sheldon, once my equipment is on the rails it pretty much stays there.
Same here for me, at least with locomotives. They stay on the layout except for routine maintenance, repairs, or upgrading, the latter either detail-wise or for better performance.Rolling stock cycles on and off layout, basically at-whim right now, but that will be more structured once I begin formal operations. Trains will originate and terminate in one of several staging yards, and while most cars will then go back in their respective boxes once "returned to their home road", some may be included in the next outbound train if their waybill so requires.I operate solo, so when a session ends, I simply shut down all power in the layout room, leaving everything where it stands, and close the door. The next time I want to operate, I simply pick up where I left off.
I'm fortunate that the layout room is not used by anyone else in the house.
Wayne
ATLANTIC CENTRALWhat brand has this setup?
I keep my locomotives in a display case or on the layout. Most of my Amtrak\Steam are only fun on occasion, so they stay in the case. My UP and NS usually stay in the yard or engine house. Nothing ever goes back into its box unless I choose to run an older DC loco.
Up to 10 guys operate on my home layout every 2 weeks during the fall, winter, and spring. I allow them to bring their own engines and Digitrax wirelesss throttles. Therefore my engines only run when I operate on my own and move cars around the layout or at open houses, and are not stored on the layout.
When trains arrive at the yard they are broken down, cabooses to the caboose track and engines back to the enginehouse. At the end of everything it's all whr it should be and yard switchers go to the engine service area.
oldline1
I leave my trains parked on sidings or in one of the yards where they happen to be. I might leave one train on the mainline. Because I have more locomotives and cars than my layout can hold I have some stored in boxes but I never put them all back into boxes just because I’m done for the day. I like to be able to start right where I left off without any set up.
At our club, we have the paperwork set up so that at the end of the session all locos and cars are where they need to be at the beginning of the next session. In the case of engines, most of them are assigned to yards, and return there.
That has worked for over 37 years.
Joe