Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

[sbwhart]

Thanks for your replies Chaps, and your support with all my trials a tribulations I've had along the way.

One reason I chose the Simplex Loco was its size one man with a bit of thought could load it into the back of an estate car, yet it was still large enough to pull a fair few passengers. Completed its a fair weight it beyond me to pick up safely without doing myself an injury, as my old dad use to say:- "that's an Hospital Lift son"

I kept a close eye at how other members at the club handled their loco's and pinched what I thought were the best ideas off them.

First essential bit of equipment is an hydraulic table lift of about 300kg capacity.

I then made a steel carrying frame out of 3/4" box section welded together (this was my first attempt at stick welding)

This is the loco in the frame sitting on the table.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

I can move it around my work shop easily and load it on to a length of dummy track on my bench for maintenance.

The loco is kept in place with it front and rear buffers in holes in the front a rear boards.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

The rear board is held in the frame with bolts so that it can be removed to roll the Loco out.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

The front of the frame has also got a couple of rollers fitted.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

To get it into the back of the car a piece of chip board is laid in the back to give a flat service to roll the frame on, the back of this board had a baton screwed across it for the frame to but up against.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

To load it into the car just trundle the table up to it lift it so that its slightly higher than the back and with the aid of some round wood roll it forward until it tips, onto the rollers on the frame, you can then roll it forward on these rollers until you come up against the baton.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

 Another baton is then slotted across the back of the frame to stop it sliding back.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

And a couple of bungees across the top helps keep every thing secure.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

To unload it at the track, they have an electric lift that was once a Dentist chair of pain, you just back you car up to it adjust to a convenient height and roll the frame out, remove the back board and roll the loco out.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

Her she is sitting in all her glory on the track.

Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

I gave here what I think is a fitting name considering all the problems I had getting her on the track.

GREMLIN



Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco


Stew

[awemawson]

  Extremely nice 

(and rather cunning )

[PekkaNF]

Looks nice. Seems that a lot of though has gone into it.

One thing caught my eye. You might consider something of tie it onto truck of the car better. Does that car has lugs on the for straps? I know one couple that had a load shift on the truck on highway ramp, the car made just a gentle swing and the guy was caught and tried to correct it, the load shifted with a great force and drifted off the road. They miraculously survived, but car was totaled.

I use proper load staps, but I'm very concerned anything heavy on truck of my car. I often use trailer, because it has better load fixing points.

Pekka

[sbwhart]

Thanks for your concern Pekka and for taking the trouble of bringing it to my attention.

I had the self same fault pointed out to be on another forum, so I've ordered some heavy duty ratchet  straps, the car has anchor points inside the cargo bay I can connect to.

Thanks again

Stew

[Stilldrillin]

GREMLIN. Perfect name, Stew!   

After all the  tantrums and tribulations. I hope you both, have happy times together......... 

David D

[vtsteam]

It's a beauty!