Some Container Port Pics + Need Some Ideas/Suggestions

[Spades]

The crane is still in my office.
[/quote]

Roland

Not to hijack the thread, but are you done with the North Coast/NWP in n scale?

Greg

[u18b]

Here is a container yard run by CSX in Mobile ALA.

30.668562, -88.034620

Enter that in google or Bing maps.

Or this might get it.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/30%C2%B040%2706.8%22N+88%C2%B002%2704.6%22W/@30.668562,-88.03462,301m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

And another run by the Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/30%C2%B041%2737.7%22N+88%C2%B002%2714.7%22W/@30.693807,-88.037428,150m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the links, Ron! I had been looking at various container ports via Google Maps before in hopes to find some that had RR tracks running under the cranes like on my layout. This seems to be rather uncommon but have managed to find a few examples here and there. I see that the dock in your second link has this arrangement, although I have no idea if any gantry cranes load directly onto railcars at any container port.

[James Costello]

although I have no idea if any gantry cranes load directly onto railcars at any container port.

Maersk at Long Beach (Pier J) did during the 90s..... and maybe today although I think they're at a different location now. Pacific Harbour Line pulls loaded cars off the docks today still though so somebody down there does.

[engineshop]

The crane is still in my office.


Roland

Not to hijack the thread, but are you done with the North Coast/NWP in n scale?

Greg

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26997.0

[jnevis]

To look at a really interesting track/pier arraignment, look at the ordnance piers at what was Concord Naval Weapons Station, in Port Chicago CA. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Chicago,+CA+94520/@38.0529402,-122.0161177,2724m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x808567df67bd8ea1:0x4583afce3c7fa0e9

It looks like they've started to build it out as a container facility.

[tehachapifan]

Thanks James and Jnevis! Those are both great examples of what I'm looking for.

[Spades]

Russ

http://www.portofoakland.com/pdf/maritime/2014_PortHandbook_10jun14_v2.pdf  Is a publication put out by the Port Of Oakland. Shows the equipment used, and some great aerials shots of the container yards.

G

[jagged ben]

I would like to find something that will straddle a raised, single track on each side of the crane (flanges on both sided of wheel). I've been looking for something that might work for a few years now but to no avail. Ideally, the wheels would be metal so they can conduct power from the rails to the crane for lighting. The truck enclosure that will be built to house the wheels needs to be no more than about 5mm wide. Ideas? Seems like some small pulleys would work, it's just a matter of finding some the right size.

What came to my mind was the beads that come on guitar strings.  They have a groove around the middle that the string is wrapped around.

http://www.hqslapbass.com/wp-content/uploads/mantain_bass_guitar_strings_regularly.jpg
http://image.dhgate.com/desc_377153010_00.jpg

The ones for standard guitars are probably too small but the the ones for bass guitar might be big enough for you.  I can't even really recall if they are much different in size. 

And, they are mostly made out of brass!  Some do come in funky colors though.  You might have to do a little research to avoid those.

[tehachapifan]

Thanks, guys!

Those guitar beads look just about perfect.

[Erik aka Ngineer]

I am new here and I only just saw this thread. If you need help, I can design either the wheels or the whole bogie in 3D so you can have it printed on Shapeways.
Erik

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the offer, Erik!

If I can find the above bass guitar beads somewhere (without attached strings), the rest of the truck assembly should be relatively easy to build out of styrene.

[nkalanaga]

You can also make your own from brass tubing and sheet.  Find a tube the diameter of the tread, solder a round piece of sheet on each side, and drill a hole.  If you make the wheel from nested tubing, and drill the hole to match the hole in the tubing, it will almost have to be centered.  Solder one side, drill from the other, then solder the second side, and drill it the same way.  The tubing keeps the holes straight.

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the tip! I will keep it in mind if I can't find the guitar beads or something else pre-made that will work.