Train Elevator

[Anonymous]

My idea for a train elevator was to layout a yard likeTony Koester has as one of his staging yards. It is a semicrcle of curved track at equal intervals of spacing. Mine would be laid out on 2 1/4' spacing from center to ocenter in HO to clear long equipment and engines. I'm thinking of using a platform lift with a hydraulic foot pump to raise it. It is made like a two-wheeled dolly, but has small casters on the front Or maybe using a small scissors lift. I have one that is used on bikes and ATV"s I got at Wal-Mart for $99.95. I have a few modules that connect to my train room to extend my mainline. These are on casters and i'm going to make this unit movable on casters similar to them.

[Anonymous]

My idea for a train elevator was to layout a yard likeTony Koester has as one of his staging yards. It is a semicrcle of curved track at equal intervals of spacing. Mine would be laid out on 2 1/4' spacing from center to ocenter in HO to clear long equipment and engines. I'm thinking of using a platform lift with a hydraulic foot pump to raise it. It is made like a two-wheeled dolly, but has small casters on the front Or maybe using a small scissors lift. I have one that is used on bikes and ATV"s I got at Wal-Mart for $99.95. I have a few modules that connect to my train room to extend my mainline. These are on casters and i'm going to make this unit movable on casters similar to them.

[Dbcxyz123]

I've see some.

[Dbcxyz123]

I've see some.

[bcammack]

How 'bout that "Ro-Ro" unit advertised in the back of MR?

[bcammack]

How 'bout that "Ro-Ro" unit advertised in the back of MR?

[mikemore]

Sorry to join this discussion late but I just had a similar idea. There is an article in RMC October 1979 p85. It is actually a vertical staging yard but would work as an elevator as well. I thought that this might be a useful idea for my layout. I have a hidden yard in another room (the basement utility/furnace room); the line then climbs steeply and circles back over the yard to rejoin the main line in the train room but I don't like the way that I have had to work around the appliances. I could also eliminate the steep climb by having access at two levels.

I would like to know if anyone has had any actual experience building a train elevator, particularly the RMC "Train Eater" from 1979. Lessons learned or improvements would really help. Thanks.

[mikemore]

Sorry to join this discussion late but I just had a similar idea. There is an article in RMC October 1979 p85. It is actually a vertical staging yard but would work as an elevator as well. I thought that this might be a useful idea for my layout. I have a hidden yard in another room (the basement utility/furnace room); the line then climbs steeply and circles back over the yard to rejoin the main line in the train room but I don't like the way that I have had to work around the appliances. I could also eliminate the steep climb by having access at two levels.

I would like to know if anyone has had any actual experience building a train elevator, particularly the RMC "Train Eater" from 1979. Lessons learned or improvements would really help. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks puckdropper For that information. I will sure check it out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks puckdropper For that information. I will sure check it out.

[Anonymous]

BNSFNUT

Would there be any way you could send me a copy of that artical? Or where on the net I might find it? Thank you.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

BNSFNUT

Would there be any way you could send me a copy of that artical? Or where on the net I might find it? Thank you.

[e-mail]

[Puckdropper]

Model Railroad Planning 2001 has the story on the train elevator. It's called "Going up"

[Puckdropper]

Model Railroad Planning 2001 has the story on the train elevator. It's called "Going up"

[BNSFNUT]

O Gauge Railroading Magazine Run 195 August 2003 has an story on a train elevator with diagrams. This system is in use on an O gauge layout and is a proven system . It look like it could be use for other scales.

[BNSFNUT]

O Gauge Railroading Magazine Run 195 August 2003 has an story on a train elevator with diagrams. This system is in use on an O gauge layout and is a proven system . It look like it could be use for other scales.

[Anonymous]

Iain Rice's book "Small, Smart and Practical Track Plans" describes what he calls a "cassette", basically a manually removable, straight, enclosed section of track. You could use this to manually change from one level to another, or maybe automate it somehow.

[Anonymous]

Iain Rice's book "Small, Smart and Practical Track Plans" describes what he calls a "cassette", basically a manually removable, straight, enclosed section of track. You could use this to manually change from one level to another, or maybe automate it somehow.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information. I will do some looking in these places and see what I can find. Will keep you posted.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information. I will do some looking in these places and see what I can find. Will keep you posted.

Thanks

[IRONROOSTER]

John Armstrong in "Creative Layout Design" has a drawing for a dehydrated canal lock, which could raise an entire train from one layout level to another. Don't know if anyone ever built it.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

John Armstrong in "Creative Layout Design" has a drawing for a dehydrated canal lock, which could raise an entire train from one layout level to another. Don't know if anyone ever built it.
Enjoy
Paul

[Puckdropper]

I remember reading about one in MR a long time ago... My collection is at home (5 hrs from college), so I can't look through them.

[Puckdropper]

I remember reading about one in MR a long time ago... My collection is at home (5 hrs from college), so I can't look through them.

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Is there such a thing as a train elevator? I think my trains need a lift.

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Is there such a thing as a train elevator? I think my trains need a lift.