NICE IDEA FOR A TEST TRACK IN YOUR SHOP

great idea! definatly saves space.

Looks good.  Thanks for sharing.

Hi Alex, it's a great idea and simple to do as well. This could be used on almost any work bench.

Thank You.

That's great Alex. You should consider yourself a certified genius. 

I very good idea! Available when you need it.  Out of thw way when you don't.   I think I will copy it on my workshop, except with Atlas track.

Hey that's a great idea!

I like how you made it hinged so its out of the way.

Your ideas never cease. Lol!

Mike R

You are so clever.

Hi everyone I thank you all so very much, for your beautiful comments.

I'm glad this will be useful for some of you. 

 

 

Thanks again, Alex

Here is my workbench test track. It was made with 1" x 4" and some hinges. Folds up and out of the way. Sure saves on space and it is up against the wall.

I believe this came from a Jim Barrett article a few years back!

There is another track bumper that gets snapped into place when testing otherwise it may go smash into the wall!

 

 

Great idea!

Thanks Chris for the kind words

 

Mark that's a really really nice fold a way test track, I remember the article that Jim Barrett did on it. Awesome. Thanks for sharing. 

 

Alex

Thats a pretty cool idea   This is my test track

 

Thanks Ben,

 

That's not a test track, that's what I call an EMPIRE, a really beautiful one.

 

Alex

That's a great idea - thanks for sharing!

 

Ben, I don't know how you get along with such a tiny layout

 

--Greg

Hi Greg thanks for your kind comment.

 

I agree with you Greg, I think Ben needs to make the layout larger. LOL

 

 

Thanks, Alex

Engines can drive from the layout right onto the work bench,

.....

Dennis

 

 Ben, that layout looks way different. You guys keep adding stuff. Now with the volume of cars and engines you guys have it may very well be a "test track".

 I think you're just rubbing it in! I'd bragg too if I was a member. After just one visit, I'm still impressed. Now after that comment, you owe it to us to make more videos!!! Wait, I'd better go to the tube site and see if you already did.

Alex, 

 

Sometimes simplest is best. That's a great idea! I think I'll borrow that as well

 

Andy

Dennis, I love that idea, that's what I wanted to do, but wasn't able to.

 

Thanks Andy, I'm glad this idea helped out.

 

Thanks again, Alex

Ben, I just have a quick question, I understand having a big test track in 'YOUR' shop, but where do you put the tools when you are 'WORKING' in the shop?   You guys are doing great, and thanks for this thread too!  Some very clever folks out there!  Russ

The Tools go in the tool room  LOL

 

Not to change the subject, but will somebody tell me how to get my picture posted wihout it looking so squished, or how do you get a picture where when you click on it, it gets larger for better look.

.....

Dennis

Hi Dennis, I'm not that great with this, but I will try to help you out. First I would have to know what method your using to transfer your photo's. Then we can go on from there.

 

Alex

Build a dynamic test stand. Include a parallel track with an operating section.  This set up allows me to test up to full speed including my Centipedes.

 

If you position a mirror behind it you can observe all.

 

During construction.

With F-units.

 

That's what I want to build for my 3rd rail PRR S1!!!.. would like to know where to buy the parts to do mine..

Hi joseywales,

 

First off the test stand I designed and built is maybe neat looking but all utilitarian and not necessarily aesthetically pleasing for a display stand.  I built to fit a work desk and be able to handle any/all my 120 plus powered units and anything else that may come along.  I also take this to shows so that I can power and test stuff.

 

The various materials came form Lowes, Home Depot, Radio Shack and local toy train shop.  I choose rollers made by JAK Tool because of some of their dimensions plus they were willing to do some customization to fit needs of the design.  If I recall all the materials including three or four sets of different rollers cost me $450.00.  Plus I used a Uisaw, thickness planer, drillpress, jointer, and three different routers to achieve what I wanted.  The trickiest was designing and making the 3-rail powered support tracks.

 

There are companies that make good to look at dynamic/roller display stands.  Some at least uses to advertise in OGR.  JAKTool does also make display roller stands. 

 

These are two place you should check out.

 

www.jaktool.com   and   www.collectorschicetrains.com

Alex,  Contact me by email so we don't hijack this thread.

.....

Dennis

Nice test track.  I just dig out a couple of Fastrack 30" sections when I want to test, but that's certainly more convenient.   I keep an old TMCC command base and my recently acquired DCS Commander on the bench connected to test either TMCC or DCS.

 

I may have to steal the mounting idea.

man id wouldve went to collectorschicetrains to have that test stand ,,198.00 is cheaper then 450.00 just for the rollers..can you send me close up on your setup?  might  be able to do one my self..proubley even do the roller setup too..can fin those small roller bearings at Ace hardwear.im on a tight budget and rather use the 200 to put tmcc with cruz in my S1....would love to run my big brut train on the test stand..

That's a very simple yet very effective setup Alex.  Best of both worlds.  Thanks for sharing.  

Hi Guys, Thanks Gunrunner John, and John Korling for your kind words.

 

Thanks, Alex

Let's see a 36-inch long PRR S1 or 35-inch long Big Boy at 120 SMPH on a 30-inch track!  Or even a 46-inch long Centipede.

Note the word "couple".   I use test blocks for running, so as long as it doesn't manage to drive off the bearings, they don't go anywhere.

Nice Don, thanks for sharing.

 

 

Alex

35"long big boy?  boy thats not preportioned wright,,bigboy in real life is 132 feet 9 1/4"long and S1 duplex is 140 feet and 2 1/4"long..

Alex:  Great idea/design.  I may just swipe that one. 

A great idea, definitely worth stealing [of course giving ample credit to Alex the victim]

Thanks John, and Dewey for the kind words.

 

Alex