Auto Rack mobile unloading ramp...

[wm3798]

Does anyone make a kit for one?  Just spent some time on the Train Cat site and didn't see one listed...  Who else might make one?



I can scratch one out if need be...

Lee

[Philip H]

If anyone makes one, its been off the market for a long time . . . Where will this one be employed?

[Mark5]

Lee,

Did they use those things back in 1970?

Mark

[flight2000]

There was a kit made by a guy in California about 6 years ago. Think he called the business Mocalova Model Works.  Doesn't look like a hard structure to bash though.

Brian

[wm3798]

I had previously bashed one, but I ended up making it too small, plus it got sucked into the vortex when the Delmarva Club N Scale Brain Trust hastily removed my auto plant.

I'm working on an article that would require the services of such a beastie, so I'll include a little construction article as a side bar.

And yeah, I'm sure there was something of this type employed in 1970... there were plenty of tri-level auto racks running around by then.  I'll just paint it black or brown or some other OSHA un-friendly color!

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

I remember there was a small facility in Hagerstown which unloaded auto racks but nothing as modern as the one shown.  Wish I had taken a photo of it but it wasn't a train (my loss).  Here's one at Jessup, MD taken last year before being run off.

[Mark5]

Ha! Found a vintage one:


http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/index.php

Another view:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns1197.jpeg

[Bob Bufkin]

Thanks, that looks a lot like the one at Hagerstown.

[up1950s]

http://www.wilsonmdi.com/images/lightbox-gallery/28.jpg

[wm3798]

That should work...it looks pretty "non-denominational" era-wise... Thanks, Richie!
Lee

[Chris333]

Find drawings and send them to Bob.

[stuntman]

Ha! Found a vintage one:


http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/index.php

Another view:

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns1197.jpeg

   Nice 68 Charger!  ;D

[TrainCat2]

YES PLEASE!!

I have plenty of photos, but they won't let me in to take measurements. I really want to produce it.

[wm3798]

Damn the measurements!  Take an MT auto rack and a CMW Ford Fairlane, and eyeball it!  As long as it works on the model and looks right, who's gonna complain?

I know, I know... we will... :

I can scratch build one, probably in an evening or two based on the photos provided above.  Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and jump in feet first.

Lee

[bicknell]

YES PLEASE!!

I have plenty of photos, but they won't let me in to take measurements. I really want to produce it.

http://www.wilsonmdi.com/autoramp.asp

The ramp is constructed of heavy duty 15” structural channel continuously welded and covered with 5 lb. non-slip, self-cleaning grating with support channels under the main traffic area.  The opening is 100” wide for traffic with handrails provided on both sides full length to aid in pedestrian traffic.  The undercarriage is constructed of the same heavy channels and mounted on four rear and two front 10 ply high floatation tires for added stability. The overall length of the unit is 84’ and is designed with a maximum of 4 degrees concave angle change to accommodate the low ground clearance of many new vehicles.

Is that enough to eyeball the rest?