Alternative to PECO Loco Lifts

[St. Simon]

Hi,

 

I'm looking for alternatives to a PECO Loco lift for use with my exhibiton layout.

 

What I need is a way of easily removing trains from the rails on a Cassette so I can move it to the other end of the train, the PECO loco lifts would be perfect if they weren't too wide. I need a method that fits with the sides of the cassettes (approx. 53mm). I could probably build my own, but it is the engineering of the metal 'rails' that fit over the track and allow stuff to run through the lift.

 

Anybody got any suggestions?

 

Simon 

[Bucoops]

Anything here any use?

 

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-mpd-loco-storage/

 

 

[Garry D100]

Or maybe these

 

Intentio Fiddle Yard Cassettes

[St. Simon]

17 hours ago, Bucoops said:

Anything here any use?

 

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-mpd-loco-storage/

 

Hi,

 

Unfortunately, they are also too wide, and when I need 6 of them, £50 is far too expensive, and I only need the actual lift bit rather than the cradle and the foam.

 

16 hours ago, Garry D100 said:

Or maybe these

 

Intentio Fiddle Yard Cassettes

 

I need something that will fit over the existing rails rather than go on the end.

 

Simon

[CloggyDog]

21 hours ago, St. Simon said:

Hi,

 

I'm looking for alternatives to a PECO Loco lift for use with my exhibiton layout.

 

What I need is a way of easily removing trains from the rails on a Cassette so I can move it to the other end of the train, the PECO loco lifts would be perfect if they weren't too wide. I need a method that fits with the sides of the cassettes (approx. 53mm). I could probably build my own, but it is the engineering of the metal 'rails' that fit over the track and allow stuff to run through the lift.

 

Anybody got any suggestions?

 

Simon 

 

Do you mean move the loco from one end of a train to the other? 

 

One commonly used approach is a short or stub cassette (as long as your longest loco) which can attach/align with the main/train cassette.

 

Train runs in, loco ends up on the stub cassette. Uncouple and lift the stub cassette with loco, move the train cassette along a bit to allow the stub cassette to fit at the other end of the train, align and couple to train, away you go. Use small bulldog clips or brass clips to align and electrically connect the cassettes with eath other. 

 

 

[St. Simon]

4 hours ago, CloggyDog said:

 

Do you mean move the loco from one end of a train to the other? 

 

One commonly used approach is a short or stub cassette (as long as your longest loco) which can attach/align with the main/train cassette.

 

Train runs in, loco ends up on the stub cassette. Uncouple and lift the stub cassette with loco, move the train cassette along a bit to allow the stub cassette to fit at the other end of the train, align and couple to train, away you go. Use small bulldog clips or brass clips to align and electrically connect the cassettes with eath other. 

 

 

 

Hi,

 

That would be the best option, but it would mean that I'd have to rebuild my cassettes for a 2nd time to shorten them to allow a loco length cassette, plus I don't want to get into the engineering of aligning three joints together at the moment as I'm having a little difficulty in getting the cassettes aligned to the layout!

 

Simon

[BluenGreyAnorak]

It depends on how much space you have but one solution would be a short loco-length cassette that would allow you to remove the loco from the train before it's on its' own cassette. It's slightly tricky in that you'd then need to move the train cassette out of the way, put the loco back on the layout and then reinstate the train cassette to couple up again. I have this plan for my own cassette-based operation but I do have space to put a full length cassette down out of the way for a moment.

 

Alternatively, solve the metal 'rails' issue by buying a Peco lift and hacking it about to fit in the space that you have.

[BrushType4]

I make the intentio cassettes and I can think of a way of making a cassette that will fit on the rails if you’re interested. 

[DCB]

Thinking outside  the tin, I'm not sure if you need "A Cassette" which will "Fit on the rails"   I wonder is a bespoke lift made for each model or class of model  with sides covered in leather or something not likely to damage the model to keep it straight and a lift fitting under the loco between the rails  Obviously it would only be supported  one end  but a fair chunk of aluminium  or iron will fit on the sleepers and  between code 100 rails  and   could be  bent to an elongated U see pic.The sides would be attached to the top and end,

[St. Simon]

18 hours ago, BrushType4 said:

I make the intentio cassettes and I can think of a way of making a cassette that will fit on the rails if you’re interested. 

 

Hi,

 

That sounds like what I want, I assume it would be powered by the rails?

 

Simon