Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Loram Rail Grinder to model

3058 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2021
  • 2 posts
Loram Rail Grinder to model
Posted by echohorn3135 on Sunday, September 19, 2021 9:58 AM

Hi, fellow modelers! This hobby is truly awesome and provides rewarding hours of running trains and working models. What I want to know is this, is it possible to have a built replica of the operating Loram Rail Grinder (machine for shaping railroad tracks) on your layout?? This is an interesting piece of equipment, with several track cars that carry out this function? It would be fun to watch it be simulated on the layout.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, September 20, 2021 11:21 AM

echohorn3135
...What I want to know is this, is it possible to have a built replica of the operating Loram Rail Grinder (machine for shaping railroad tracks) on your layout??...

I'd guess that anything is possible, but it's not a project that I'd even attempt.

Here are some photos...

The pictures were taken in 2012, and the rail grinder went past once in operation, then later returned, not grinding rail on the second pass.

It's certainly an impressive piece of equipment.

Wayne

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Monday, September 20, 2021 1:20 PM

There are different versions of them depending on the era.  They are normally HEAVILY weathered from all the grinding stone and steel dust/filings.  They typically operate over a stretch for 3-6 hours over a 25-100 mile stretch of track in a "window".  No other trains operate on that piece track in that period, except the grinder.  In the summer months there will be a section gang or track inspector patrol behind them to put out any fires started by the grinder.   In every town they pass through, anticipate at least one call to the police/fire department/railroad with a report of a "train on fire".

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, September 20, 2021 1:34 PM
  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 12:54 PM

That lends itself to 3D print if one can get scale drawings. 

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Friday, September 24, 2021 10:18 AM

I distinctly remember... or think I do... someone's project to make a rail-grinding train complete with flickering lights for the grinding and pumped smoke effect.  I think this was before the 'sound' era, but reproducing the noises would be easy to do (via the Rapido method if necessary).

Seems to me that the manufacturers of model track equipment, some examples of which are large and complex, might be interested in making at least a compressed version of a rail grinding train...

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!