I have progressed on my GR project to the point that I can begin tracklaying. I anticipated requiring a rack loco to service the proposed timber mill branch and began searching the mail order houses for a 2146/2046 Electric rack loco, but I have not had any luck…they are listed in ads placed by some of the major suppliers in GRM every issue, but they don’t actually have them in stock. Does any one know where one is lurking, new or VGC used ? I also need the rack sections and clips. Once again, not much joy with the retailers. Any lead would be most welcome. I would appreciate a private e-mail to save Forum space in what is a fairly self serving issue.
For the rack railway cogs try Ebay you may be lucky or ekse you will have to wait till stock is available in the near future
Lyco:
Gonna eat up postspace anyway. I’d be interested in hearing more of your proposed rack line to a lumber plot, as I’m wrestling with a problem of impossibly steep grades (on the order of 45 deg) and am considering switchbacks which would require a lot of spadework, so to speak. Did lumber Co’s do rack lines? I know they skidded forever with tracklayers, donkeys, or hung overhead cabling (my Gfather was a tall-timber man–a topper, point of fact–but I never heard of a rack RR). Which means that the whole western region might be covered with 'em and I wouldn’t know. Your question opens up a possible thread.
FWIW, I intend someday to have a rack RR.
Les
Look at this thread: See my replies. I posted several good photos.
Hoofe, thanks for your interest…my real estate is fairly limited and whilst a switchback would be prototypical, I have not got the room for it.I have always been facinated by rack railways and have ridden them in Wales and in Switzerland. Due to cost factors, I would not think a timber company would ever have installed one, but then they say there’s a prototype for everything ! I will need rack to get the trains up from sea level to the mill as the grade will be too great for traction alone.Really interested in the comment on Grandfather…the Pacific North West timber operations in the US amaze me…volume, ingenuity, rail lines,flumes,…facinating stuff.
My mill operation will simply be a short branch with a two track change over yard at the end…empties in, loads of milled timber out with the rudimetary passenger service to keep the loggers wives happy…
But I need the rack loco…
This site may be of interest to you.
Lyctus:
I noticed you’re from down under. If there were but one country I could emigrate to, Australia would be my pick. I’d want somewhere in the outback, though.
Re the rack logging road: go for it! But by all means, send across some pixes! If nothing else, it’ll be unusual. Are you using British designed locos, or someone else’s? Is that sawmill conna actually work? I read on a site where one does, but no details. (I used to haul logs to a mill, so I know how they work, no problem–except doing it in 1:20 scale. The mechanics, not the appearances, I have in mind.)
THe temperatures are finally falling here in River City. It was about 81F. Gonna get hot again.
I have found an LGB 24460 red Furka-Oberalp electric rack loco ! The price is $500.95
Nicholas Smith Trains
Broomall, PA
(610) 353-8585
I remembered seeing it there last week. I called a few minutes ago (27-AUG-07, 6:30 PM), and they still have it.
St. Aubins Station and Watts Train Shop also have the same loco for $479.89
Trainworld has it for $459.99
Hope this helps !
Captain Stryker
That sure is a small loco for a big price.
Yeah, it is kinda pricey, but, they are getting few and far between. I was lucky to have gotten mine off e-bay this past spring.
I also have the matching Schollenbahn passenger cars that go with it.
Captain Stryker
Try this one!
I’ve seen cog systems used (or rather the remains of where they had been used) in Colorado, but these were for “short haul down the mountain” for some of the gold mines. In my case I have a “bridge line” going up to the top of the water falls on the Koi pond, at about 10%. The Bachmann street car does O.K. making the run, but am looking forward to putting in a rack system, IF I can find a cheaper way to do it.
Like to see several cogg GR. Been thinking of one but…the “buts” always get yeah.
Thanks for the research Capt. I am now trying to talk with St Aubin, as my usual supplier,Trainworld actually says that they do not have this loco. I don’t know if St Aubin ship internationally. Trainworld are good at this. For some reason, probably a couple of forms that have to be completed for international parcels, a number of US retailers and mail order houses are reluctant to send stuff overseas.
Hey Hoofe, you’d be welcome Down Under and I could maybe take you for a ride on a 2’ gauge steam loco just 20mins from my house, and you could give me hand to commission the backyard empire…in fact, get packing and come on down…
Well Captain, I waited till the stores opened and gave Nicholas Smith and St Aubin a ring, and lucked right out ! Neither stores have actually got stock. I guess I will have to wait on e-bay to come up with the goods !!
I just called Nick Smith trains and the one they have is the display model sitting up on the shelf. What did they tell you ?
Captain Stryker
Well Captain,after about 4 expensive long distance phone minutes , the nice fella at Nicholas Smith said, no, none in stock ! He said no problem shipping to Oz, but unfortunately they did not have the loco I wanted in stock ??
OK, I’ll have another go !! Thanks for your interest. I’m getting obsessed with getting my hands on one…
lyctus,
I am about pissed at these people! I will ship the part/train to you!!!
I have ordered parts before to another man in Oz and shipped them on and not a single problem!
People should not have this much problem. Only problem I had was emailing him back but I could get his.
Let me know and I will be on the phone (and other things) to these people in the AM!
I’ll go there tomorrow evening and check as it is only a 20 minute ride from here.
Captain Dale