If anyone out there has a Lionel transfer table and have a problem with engines jumping as they exit the table try this fix. Cut a track pin so the end is flat and insert it into the center rail with the flat end outward, so the table just clears it as it moves. I just used this fix on a friends layout as his Williams engines were de-railing going off the table.It seems the rollers were dropping into the gap caused by the origional track clips.Everything is fine now. I am passing this along as I just happened to be in the right spot to see the problem.
Ed
This may sound stupid, but what is a transfer table?
Lee
DITTO[?]
A transfer table is used in place of a turntable for moving engines and cars. A transfer table slides sideways allows one to move engines and cars to different tracks.
Here is a link to info on a postwar Lionel version:
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=287
Thanks for the link, Birds. What a nifty item - I’ve never seen one in ‘real life’ - does anyone have one on their layouts? It would be perfect for trolleys.
[:0]
Awesome. I’ve never seen one, but I want to rework my entire layout plan just to get one. But I guess I’ll be prudent and try and finish one layout first. . .always nice to have something to shoot for though. . .
There is also and extension unit that can add two more track paths. Being able to transfer cars two ways is a real valuable tool. I actually have installed 2 units on my layout, which is by the way still work in progress.
One unit with an extention piece that allows transfer across 4 tracks. These are big units and take up a sizeable footprint, but can work real well it you plan them into your layouts.
I have the one with the extention unit, adjacent to a yard. The right most path allows for a mainline loop to run thru and around the yard without going into the yard. The other 3 paths allow switching of stock into the maintenance yard for a group of accessories…wheel grind and steam clean, the kline car painter and a couple other maintenance items. The path the other way goes into industry…culvert, barrel and again couple of other items. This item allowed me to get cars in and out and still have room all the accessories. I am an accessory nut. A time back, leonard gave me some hints on how to allow the table to operate as a straight thru track for my mainline and its working out fine.
The second unit is part of a steel mill operation i am constructing. The Walthers blast furnace, coke retort and rolling mill. I have started to ba***he HO kits to make them O size and fit in with the coal ramp for a nice industry site. I will run Hot Metal and Slag cars among others thru this operation. So far so good, but i am a ways away from completing.
Pictures will follow when the construction looks presentable.
ralph
Boy, Robert, what a grand website you have - I love the giraffe car video. As I’m looking at this picture, I’m still not sure how this works. Does it roll back to the track in the upper right? or is the active track in front of the little yellow building?
Thanks for the kind words, Doug. It does roll back to the track in the upper right. Here’s another photo that better shows the tracks the Transfer Table services.
