Roller Test Base

Haven't purchased one, but I have seen one and it really looks like a lot of thought went into it. Looks like a very nice design, very nice looking and it also looks well made.

I do have one of their engine cradles and that is very nice as well. They also have some needle bottles for oiling that are the nicest I have seen. The needle is smaller in diameter than the ones on the bottles the oil comes in.  

The owner had a train store for 30-35 years and I think he worked on perfecting these items for a long time, so he knows something about trains too.

rtr12,

Thanks for the input.  It will help in my decision making.  Did you notice if there was any wobble or sliding of he rollers?

Thanks,

George

Have one from JAK tool nice but very very expensive

indydanny

It's been at least a year and a half since I saw the item, but if I remember correctly I think everything fit and worked pretty well. The rollers were adjustable up and down the rails and that movement seemed without wobble. I didn't notice any wobble side to side. It seems like the roller adjustment up and down the track was locked in by moving the sections of track in between them somehow, but I don't really remember that part too well.

When I ordered my engine cradle, it turned out he lived only a few miles from me at the time (we have since moved, he's quite a bit farther now), so I went and picked up the cradle. While I was there he showed me one of the roller bases. He was demonstrating it, I didn't really get a hands on with it.

I'd suggest calling him, he could give you all the specifics. He might even offer you a satisfaction guarantee, you never know?

rtr12,

Thanks again,

George

None of them are what I would call inexpensive.

Collector's Choice Trains

You are welcome. I will add one more thing. I don't know a lot about trains and just got back into the hobby a couple years ago from a 50 year lapse, so I'm no expert by any means. But, when the time comes that I need one of these things, I will be getting one of the Collectors Choice ones.

I would also say they are far from inexpensive, but for the most part, cheaper than what you have to buy to put on them.  If there is anything in this hobby that isn't expensive, I have yet to discover it! A couple years ago when restarting the hobby, I actually thought I could get up and running with a fairly small, but nice layout for a couple thousand, oh boy was that ever wrong!

George build your own.  I used modified JAK rollers for this dynamic test stand.

Ron

You can get a set of 4 rollers, one with a brass bar for middle rail contact for $40 at York.   Then as someone suggested just build your own test stand. Mine isn't beautiful but it works well.  I used some RealTrax I had, got two inexpensive meters and used pine for the board and masonite for the supports. 

An oldie but a goodie, from way back when.  It gets a lot of use.

Dreamer, I used aluminum angles 1X1X1/8-inches if I recall correctly.

Ron

As Dave shows this will work fine IF you apply speeds restrictions.  With the rollers not being captured a large heavy loco will rock all over the place.  With the captured rollers on my design can run any and all locos at flank speed.

Just a note of caution have done it and got the T-shirt.

Ron

GNK,

You now have me thinking about these things, dagnabbit. If you happen to get one, please post your thoughts of it after you have used it.

Thanks