My Lionel book says “about 14 inches.” The distance between my two sidings is 16 inches. I’m looking for a 164 at the right price, but want to cut the track & install now as needed for operation.
What is the best distance between the two outside rails on each side closest to the lumber loader?
Thanks,
wyomingscout
Well, I always space it so my largest engine and longest cars clear the lumber loader. I have a 164 and my 97 coal loader right next to each other. Yeah, I have it about 14 or less than 15 inches between two track pieces. Just make sure the logs will fall into the log cars correctly. And that the cowcatcher of the locos do not hit the green base of the 164. The log loader is loud isnt it? Mine works nice on the layout. Nice thing to have. thanks.
You wouldn’t want to do this with the metal original, but with a modern plastic one I took a table saw to the receiving bin. That let me fit it with about 12" between tracks.
I’ve got plenty of room; 16 inches between parallel sidings. I can cut a full length of straight track between the turnouts on each end of the sidings to whatever length is best. I don’t have the lumber loader, so I can’t fiddle with spacing right now. Maybe “about 14 inches” will work; it’s not rocket science. But I thought the distance from the back of the 164 to the track where it dumps logs back onto the lumber car might be kinda critical. Figured someone had this set up already & could tell me exactly what distance works best.
I want to get the sidings in and my layout up and running ASAP. I will buy the 164 when I find one at a reasonable price.
wyomingscout