engine test stand with rollers

[propmeup1]

I've seen them but have no idea who makes those engine test stands with the drive wheel rollers.  anyone, anyone ?

[drbnc]

DCC Concepts has a nice set, multi scale/gauge. You can google them for info.

[davefoxx]

DCC Concepts has a nice set, multi scale/gauge. You can google them for info.

The DCC Guy has a review on YouTube of DCC Concepts' rollers.

DFF

[jbonkowski]

Bachrus used to make one, but they might be out of business.

There is also one available from Taiwan at www.trains.com.tw (expensive)

Trix used to make one, but no longer. Trix 66721

The DCC concepts one is probably your best bet, even though you have to order from the UK.

Jim

[EspeeGoldenState]

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-rolling-roads/

$114 for the 12 axle isn't too bad I guess.

[davefoxx]

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-rolling-roads/

$114 for the 12 axle isn't too bad I guess.

Unless you have a large steamer or are trying to consist two six-axle locomotives on the stand, you could get by with the six-axle rollers for less.

DFF

[wvgca]

i have a set of bachmann ones [four axle] and  a set of cheapy china ones [six axle]  .. i much prefer the bachmann ones, they are around 89 bucks for four ..

[EspeeGoldenState]

Unless you have a large steamer or are trying to consist two six-axle locomotives on the stand, you could get by with the six-axle rollers for less.

DFF

This true, but sadly I do own a larger steamer in both a Challenger and Big Boy in both HO and N. And I like that these rollers are not just one scale, but multiple. I also have a couple friends with HOn3 and it comes in handly.

Chris

[Mike Madonna]

Bachrus went out od business in 2019. I believe owner wanted to retire, tried to sell but no buyers. Fortunately I grabbed up enough a few years ago (at the Springfield Show) to handle Cab Aheads and smaller steam or diesels.

[Roger Holmes]

As soon as I find mine I will list them in the Trading Post.

[narrowminded]

I am willing to make these, very accurately constructed, if the interest is there.  They would be a little pricey (quick est. $40+/-?) as the bearings (shielded ball bearings) will have to be purchased but that's still not too bad for a very precise device.  Standard set would include eight bearing set blocks for four axles (sixteen bearings) and that could be increased in multiples of two blocks (one axle) as desired.  Even though there are a lot of six axle locos, a set under each end of each truck would probably be all that is needed, meaning four bearing sets should be sufficient for most diesels.  When purchased together each additional axle could be estimated at one quarter of the four axle set (est. $10 ea.). 

The bearing blocks would likely be machined from aluminum bar with the gauging blocks between them 3D printed and then critical dimensions on the prints finish machined as needed for excellent tolerance.  All parts would be very accurately made.  Gauge blocks for different gauges than N would be available finished and ready to use for Z and HO.  I guess other gauges could be furnished too although flange depths should be confirmed before to promise interchangeability. 

Any interest could be sent in a PM and if there's enough, I'll get on it.

[garethashenden]

I had one of the DCC Concepts rollers a while back, I didn't like it. Its fine if you only use one gauge. Set it up, throw out the spare parts, whatever. But if you're changing gauges it isn't that well designed. The screws strip out the holes really easily, then the rollers rock when you set them on the track and the locomotive won't stay in place. If they had used machine screws with captive nuts it would be fine, but they're self tapping or something like that, course and pointy, a really poor design decision.

[randgust]

That's always seemed like a good idea but generally made of unobtanium on a practical basis.    What I usually do is flip anything upside down in a foam cradle, hot-clip to a piece of sectional track with a LOT of ties removed so that I can see gears, etc, through the rails and apply that to the wheels under power.

It has a couple advantages.  With your fingers on the track you can feel vibrations, see wobble from the inside edge of the rails, but most importantly, twist the track so you can see what happens as a mechanism is twisted and curved.

Depends what you want to do.  I can see rollers would certainly help for running in, but I'm not sure they are better than this for diagnostics.

[narrowminded]

I had one of the DCC Concepts rollers a while back, I didn't like it. Its fine if you only use one gauge. Set it up, throw out the spare parts, whatever. But if you're changing gauges it isn't that well designed. The screws strip out the holes really easily, then the rollers rock when you set them on the track and the locomotive won't stay in place. If they had used machine screws with captive nuts it would be fine, but they're self tapping or something like that, course and pointy, a really poor design decision.

Funny that you say that.  Even though I have no actual design completed as I have not yet heard any interest, a cursory look identified several considerations that should be addressed.  I recognized that the stands would have to be narrow with small diameter bearings so that they could fit side by side to align with axles on a typical truck.  It was apparent at a glance that they would be fussy to deal with, keeping them standing, much as your experience demonstrated. 

I had already seen that potential issue without actually having the experience you related, but I was already figuring I would address that issue by providing a hole through each center gauge block for a through rod (1/8" steel?) to be slid through, providing stability to prevent tipping, while still sliding freely to adjust for axle spacing and not add any appreciable cost to the design.  As far as the screws stripping and the device rocking, well... I wouldn't do that.

I would provide a machined feature in the aluminum bearing block face and the insulating gauge block face where they engage, assuring very accurate squareness and alignment side to side, with one tapped screw hole to hold the bearing blocks to the insulating gauge block.  That feature would be chosen as the specific design and fixturing details presented themselves during the actual design stages but I imagine something like a tee slot or maybe a pair of dowels would be used, either way, very accurately machined. 

The bearing blocks would be machined aluminum, not an "as cast" part, again for ultimate precision.  They would also be wider on the face that engages the rail (part of the tipping issue), therefore inherently more stable than the pictured device (in addition to the through rod).  Because the bearing blocks can't be placed on the rail any closer than the bearing diameters allow, the referenced device has the bearing blocks measurably and unnecessarily narrower than the outside edges of the bearing O.D. and aggravates the stability problem identified.  That face would be full width of the bearing O.D. in my design as well as the face engaging the rails machined so less prone to rocking as an "as cast" face might. 

I also would offer dummy blocks for steam engine applications that have pilot and trailing trucks to support.  They won't need to rotate so they don't need bearings and that related cost but they have a different issue that I didn't notice being addressed in the referenced device.  That issue is the different size wheels which will have those wheels settling at a different height when cradled in tread supports with the same spacing as the drivers.  To address that, I envision a straight edge instead of round features (bearings or fixed)  that's height adjustable so it can be set to the same height as the drivers as they settle into their cradled position.  Then, the tender wheels would need something similar but may also have the issue of needing to carry current to the wheels where tender pickup is critical.  Those would need to be metal and when the design is actually laid out it may prove that a single design could serve for tenders, trailing, and lead trucks as needed.  Finally, I imagine they would slide on to the guide rod the same as the bearing blocks.

Bottom line, a final design would address these and anything else that might present itself, and the execution would be precise.  So, if any interest, dial BR-549 and ask for "Junior".

[Simon D.]

There's a prototype for everything: https://www.britishpathe.com/video/railways-test-speed-locos-aka-locos-go-on-test