Some Container Port Pics + Need Some Ideas/Suggestions

[tehachapifan]

The container port area of the layout has remained unfinished for quite a few years now for a couple reasons. First, I still need to finish laying staging area tracks that partially run under the dock and, second, I need to find suitable wheels to go under my container crane so I can plan and install the crane tracks and footings to accommodate them. Here's some pics of the unfinished port scene as it is today...all close ups so you can't see all the clutter!...

Ship superstructure....



Starboard side next to dock. Tracks will be eventually be embedded in pavement...



Shot of scratch-built adjustable gripper...



This guy has been waiting for me to finish the ship and port for a loooong time.....



Here's what I need some help with, which is finding something that will work as wheels at the base of the crane(s) seen here....



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.

[ryan_wilkerson]

For the wheels, maybe look into metal beads? I think I've seen something like that at the craft store.

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ryan. 

I have, on occasion, poked through bead bins in search of one that might work. So far, I haven't found anything that looks good but will continue to look.

If nothing else, I might try to use the sew on snaps that I used for the gripper pulleys. These are a but small and the track would need to be super thin for these to straddle it. Hoping to find something better.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Russ,
I just measured a Fox Valley metal wheel. It is 1.5mm. Could you solder two of them together to give you flanges on both sides? I believe this was the thin tread wheels. Not much of a flange to keep it on the rails but it might work. The wheel does come apart from the axle so you might even be able to cut down the axle to fit two wheels face to face.
-Ryan

[tehachapifan]

Another interesting idea! Might have to ponder that.

I also forgot to mention that the wheels will need to roll on the flange edges, with the track acting as guide rather than a riding surface (make sense?). The reason for this is the crane has to cross over a set of tracks that curve back to the mainline (visible in above pics), where the raised crane track will need to have a gap (the other side will not have the gap and should maintain alignment).

[Lemosteam]

Do you have a pic of them ream deal?  I love these little hunt and find projects!

[Spades]

Russ

Check, https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=11957.0.  Engineshop is still on the forum,  I would love to know what happen with all his n scale equipment.

G

[tehachapifan]

Do you have a pic of them ream deal?  I love these little hunt and find projects!

I've searched for good proto photos for a loooong time and never really found anything of much reference value.

Russ

Check, https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=11957.0.  Engineshop is still on the forum,  I would love to know what happen with all his n scale equipment.

G

Thanks! I am very familiar with Roland's fantastic build thread but I don't recall much about track-able wheels with his.

[John]

this?

[tehachapifan]

This! Been looking for a close-up photo like that for a long time! Now I can design and build the truck assembly. Thanks!

As mentioned my arrangement needs to be a little bit different, in that the track needs to extend above grade and the wheel flanges themselves need to ride at grade level.

[Lemosteam]

Maybe you could use a diamond and cut away one rail leaving one behind for the  for the crane? That way it could remain a level crossing.  Use two, one for each single rail,crossing.

Great pic John, what is the orientation of the wheel to another leg?

Just curious, On its rail oes it run like this;

|_|              |_|
|                    |

Or like this;

|_|              |_|
   |              |

[Spades]

Thanks! I am very familiar with Roland's fantastic build thread but I don't recall much about track-able wheels with his.
[/quote]


Russ 1.) Always look forward to seeing your work.  2.) Are you looking for a grooved tread wheel? Like on a sliding gate? Sorry, I have the IQ and reading comprehension of a coconut husk. In N scale grooved  or conventional flange who would see or notice the difference? If you want a grooved wheel, try chucking an Atlas metal wheel and cutting a groove into the tread. (WAG)?  3.) I saw your postings in Roland's thread.  Page 2 he shows shows the cranes wheels/base simple enough shapes, if you done it.  His trucks are none rolling, but doesn't look that had to add some NWSL wheels to the styrene construction.

G

[jnevis]

My daughter has about a hundred Lego wheel pieces that might be able to be cut down.


 
The yellow hubs is what I'd think might work.
Figure the rail could ride on the grove in the middle and the outside edges could keep it in place and allow it to go over the other trackage.  Dunno, just thinking out loud....

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, guys!

Lemostream-

I would, as you suggest, prefer an embedded track with a diamond across the RR tracks but that seemed more complicated to build, as the diamond would need to be handmade due to the curved RR track. I would still need to find a suitable wheel as a single-flanged wheel might have difficulty staying up on the rail, unless I can build a truck assembly with near-to-zero lateral play in it (no axle between wheels to keep them from slipping inside track). Maybe a wide-tread wheel would help.

Spades-

Yes, I was looking for a grooved wheel but you and Lemostream have me thinking about maybe trying a regular single-flanged wheel again.

Jnevis-

Those Lego hubs look just about right and are a great suggestion! However, I would prefer to use something metal so I can provide power to crane lighting via the track....otherwise I'll need to fabricated some sort of separate power pickup.

[engineshop]

I just found this topic.
My wheels don't turn since I never intended to motorize anything. They have a groove in the middle to keep it on the tracks. I just used Evergreen tubes (3 different ones stacked into each other), put it in a drill chuck, run the drill and cut the groove with a small flat file. That will not work with in a track flat to pavement arrangement.
The whole wheel box is cut out of styrene sheet.
This page has some information about the wheels.
http://usloki.tripod.com/makingofcrane.htm

The crane is still in my office.