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Post by josef on Jan 27, 2020 15:59:53 GMT
Here's a video of some refinery equipment, towers and vessels which make interesting loads. Some towers are larger 150-180 ft tall. This means using 3 or more flat cars to haul. In the 80s I was involved in replacing a 156' tower at a TMA Unit at Joliet, IL. Temporary tracks were laid and 3 cranes removed it from flat cars. A RING Crane along with 3 other cranes put it in place were the old was, (old one was cut and removed in sections). It was a 4 hour job. Here's a pic of the tower being put into place at the plant, also a video showing unusual refinery loads in Canada from a refinery. So if your looking for something different to add to your flat cars. 
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 27, 2020 17:55:17 GMT
Josef, thanks for the video. That's a very interesting train. Unfortunately for me even a compressed version of it wouldn't run on my layout though a layout with broad curves and clearances could run a slightly compressed version. It would be an eye catcher though.
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Post by fabforrest on Jan 27, 2020 19:00:56 GMT
What is a RING crane?
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Post by josef on Jan 27, 2020 19:08:31 GMT
They are huge. It took over 3 weeks to assemble the one we used and calculations on lift, angles, weight at different angles, assists, etc. Here's a video of one we used and also came on a train load. 1st one wasn't as good, here's an exact one we used.
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Post by ptc on Jan 27, 2020 19:54:47 GMT
This sure would make an interesting load for an O-Gauge layout. You would need some really wide curves. Those who have refineries on therio layouts would love one.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2020 2:27:05 GMT
Josef, Those are very interesting videos. The articulated cars are cool. MTH made some great 47' TTX articulated flats (20-98425) and I used them for my CAT loads. They were released in 2004 and I haven't seen anything new since then. The video of the train shows the consist used to move something that large and heavy. The video of that huge crane is way over my head. Interesting work.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2020 2:31:13 GMT
Josef, the first video inspired me. It is a terrific load and that left me no choice but to try to render it. Ordered 3 MTH 47' articulated flats and 3 Menards 60' flats. The job will be building the Refinery Tower, the support base for the tower and then weathering them to appear like junk. I want to make the scene look similar to the video, old retired equipment. Got a good eBay deal on the MTH articulated flats. Brand new in the box and same price as the original in 2004. If you do not mind, I'll keep you updated on this, your thread.   |
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Post by josef on Feb 2, 2020 10:36:44 GMT
Josef, the first video inspired me. It is a terrific load and that left me no choice but to try to render it. Ordered 3 MTH 47' articulated flats and 3 Menards 60' flats. The job will be building the Refinery Tower, the support base for the tower and then weathering them to appear like junk. I want to make the scene look similar to the video, old retired equipment. Got a good eBay deal on the MTH articulated flats. Brand new in the box and same price as the original in 2004. If you do not mind, I'll keep you updated on this, your thread. Yes, please do.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2020 11:03:44 GMT
That is going to make one heck of an addition to your layout Josef. looking forward to the photos.
Gary.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2020 15:21:07 GMT
Thank you, Josef. I am still taking care of my bride and it will not move fast, but it will get done.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2020 18:21:08 GMT
They are huge. It took over 3 weeks to assemble the one we used and calculations on lift, angles, weight at different angles, assists, etc. Here's a video of one we used and also came on a train load. 1st one wasn't as good, here's an exact one we used.
That has to be the biggest crane I've ever seen! WOW!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2020 1:36:44 GMT
Ordered a few things to create the oversized load. 4 articulated flats and 3 flats. Looking to save a little money, I had a 14" Menards flat and thought I would order some more. Looked on their website and saw 11 1/2" flats. Ok, a little cheaper and shorter for the yard to accommodate. They arrived today. After opening I noticed they were very light weight. Put them on the layout and hooked up 4 MTH articulated flats. A couple of interesting discoveries. The 11 1/2" flats have fixed couplers. The coupler draw bar does not swivel on the truck body. The couplers are also askew compared to the MTH articulated flats. Not a good fit. Got them hooked up, added some weight to the platform and gave them a run. Due to the non swiveling drawbar and a heavy load they dragged off the track on O42 curves. This isn't going to work. I picked up the 14" Flat and sure enough it was a better coupler and truck. Put it in the consist added some weight and it ran well. Ordered 2 more from Menards tonight.  In addition several parts for the Refinery tower were ordered from Plastruck. This is a good company with great detail parts. The one problem is they are very slow at delivery and communication. Most companies send out a tracking # and you know exactly when it will be arriving. Not Plastruck. Not until now. I received a call and was told the company was sold and moved to Illinois. The lady whom I spoke to sounded energetic and excited about their ownership. Apologized for the delay and guaranteed delivery next week. I hope they succeed because they are the best at architectural details. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 4:13:58 GMT
Have any of you purchased Menards flatcars for your layout? I am trying to use a 14" Menards flat for this project of building oversized loads.
I noticed the trucks were sparking when going through switches. Not a good problem. What was happening is the truck would slide on the track and hit the power rails in the frog area. This is on both Ross and Gargraves switches, all of which rarely have a shorting spark on my other MTH or Lionel trucks.
My discovery is the wheel sets are 2.5mm narrower then the MTH or Lionel wheel sets. That allows the Menards truck to slide in the curve of the switch and rub the power rail of the switch. 2.5mm is a solid 1/8th inch and that is a lot of movement.
Have you experienced this issue??
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Post by fabforrest on Feb 9, 2020 12:25:42 GMT
I have had no problems with those flats. However, I have not bought one in over a year.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 12:52:21 GMT
I have had no problems with those flats. However, I have not bought one in over a year. Fab, I'll bet that is your military consist. I think you do have a lot of switches. What are your curve diameters? Mine are O42 and that may be the problem for the Menards 14" flat car. My 14" MTH articulated flats, with 16 wheels, go through smoothly.
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