Do you use a tool or do you just carefully put in on by hand?. Talking specifically about locomotives not wagons etc. I'm just curious what others do even though its a random subject.
By hand, though it's getting harder as the years roll on.
I use a blue Kato re-railer slope, works well especially with Steam locos
By hand for me.
Back in the old days with pizza cutter flanges my hand and eye worked fine. These days with much finer flanges I use a blue Kato rerailer taking care not to put any pressure on wheels with traction tyres.
By hand gently
I do by hand but if exhibitions are anything to go by you hold it firmly by the valve gear with the tender hanging down so the the cardon shaft comes out or the wires come adrift then wonder why it's stopped working and then go on social media to tell everyone how crap the quality of locos are nowadays ;)
I use a Peco railer. Anything without traction tyres gets gently pushed off the railer onto the track, while anything with tyres has the railer gently pulled from under the loco.
Of course, the railer is perfick for all stock, not just locos :)
For locos without bogies or pony trucks I usually manage OK by hand but if they have, especially, a front bogie that will do what it likes I use a Peco rerailer.
If the loco's come out of storage then its box contains a Kato railer fitted with brass strips in the flange groove connected to track pickups so I can just drive it out onto the track.
I am another Kato re-railer user.
A re-railer is a very useful tool if you have one. It doesn't need to be one of the expensive powered ones, just the standard plastic version will do. Don't push the loco down the railer onto the track, instead place the loco on the re-railer and then pull the railer away while holding the loco still (like the old "tablecloth" trick :) ) That way you're not applying strain on drive wheels or traction tyres etc.
As we discussed by PM, I was taught as a very young lad by my Dad how to place a loco on the track by laying all the flanges of one side onto the rail first then tipping over. This is great for locos with many wheels and/or floppy bogies. For a simple shunting 0-6-0 or similar loco it's usually easy to just plonk it on the track.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/139/medium_5885-020224203211.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=139198)
Exactly the same techniques apply to rolling stock too, there's no magic to it :) With a re-railer it's easy to just roll each wagon down the ramp onto the track and coupling it up to form a train.
On balance, I would say I mostly use the "tip it on" method for locos and a re-railer for assembling trains of rolling stock.
I find the Kato re-railer the better option particularly for steam locos with pony truck wheels. With locos fitted with traction tyres I hold the loco so the tyres lift off the re-railer slightly. This is easier with Union Mills as the tyres are one side only, but others, eg Farish WD I just take the weight of the rear wheel slightly BUT CAREFULLY!
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 10:08:45 AManything with tyres has the railer gently pulled from under the loco.
I've seen (and intend to try myself) people applying copper tape to the railers, running down each side and under the front edge, so that locos can be driven off the railer and onto the track.
I am another who puts locos on by hand.
Quote from: stevewalker on February 03, 2024, 04:53:17 PMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 10:08:45 AManything with tyres has the railer gently pulled from under the loco.
I've seen (and intend to try myself) people applying copper tape to the railers, running down each side and under the front edge, so that locos can be driven off the railer and onto the track.
I might give that a go but knowing me I'd turn the controller the wrong way with the inevitable result :doh:
By hand for me. This thread has reminded me I did buy a rerailer some time ago.
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 05:20:31 PMQuote from: stevewalker on February 03, 2024, 04:53:17 PMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 10:08:45 AManything with tyres has the railer gently pulled from under the loco.
I've seen (and intend to try myself) people applying copper tape to the railers, running down each side and under the front edge, so that locos can be driven off the railer and onto the track.
I might give that a go but knowing me I'd turn the controller the wrong way with the inevitable result :doh:
That's what I did for my loco cases - except I used thin brass sheet so I could curl it loosely under the high end of the railer. I found I got more reliable rail contact than wrapping it tightly under the end since I've got a bit of "spring" in the contacts.
I then added sides and an end at the high end, a removable plate closing off the other end and made a lid to go over the whole thing. I've also done some to hold more than one short loco, with a removable divider slotted in between the two.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/119/medium_7182-070222112553.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=119255)
as to having the controller set in the wrong direction, all that's needed is an end stop glued to the high end of the railer.
Quote from: stevewalker on February 03, 2024, 04:53:17 PMI've seen (and intend to try myself) people applying copper tape to the railers, running down each side and under the front edge, so that locos can be driven off the railer and onto the track.
There are a few commercial versons available, but obviously it would probably be cheaper to make your own.
going slightly off topic--is there any reason why locos shouldnt be "parked " on track long term ?
I am Kato re-railer user as well. I have a Peco one but prefer the Kato version.
Quote from: Bigmac on February 03, 2024, 07:02:23 PMgoing slightly off topic--is there any reason why locos shouldnt be "parked " on track long term ?
No technical reason, other than they'll collect dust :) Also I have so many if I had a permanent layout I'd need to change them out for others just so they all get a run :)
I have about 8 Peco re-railers placed around the layout so there's always 1 handy (as long as you remember to put it back). I generally use these although I do find the Dapol mk3 coaches are too long for them and don't just roll off. Same method as others for most locos sliding the re-railer out rather than pushing the loco off.
Quote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 05:20:31 PMQuote from: stevewalker on February 03, 2024, 04:53:17 PMQuote from: Newportnobby on February 03, 2024, 10:08:45 AManything with tyres has the railer gently pulled from under the loco.
I've seen (and intend to try myself) people applying copper tape to the railers, running down each side and under the front edge, so that locos can be driven off the railer and onto the track.
I might give that a go but knowing me I'd turn the controller the wrong way with the inevitable result :doh:
Not a problem for me, as I'm on DCC and forward is forward - at least for steam locos.
I use a re-railer, mainly because I am a hamfisted oaf, and even varifocals don't help with my eyesight when it comes to N, so I'm grateful for anything that makes it easier to get stock onto the track.
Quote from: Trainfish on February 03, 2024, 09:09:04 PMI have about 8 Peco re-railers placed around the layout so there's always 1 handy (as long as you remember to put it back). I generally use these although I do find the Dapol mk3 coaches are too long for them and don't just roll off. Same method as others for most locos sliding the re-railer out rather than pushing the loco off.
Aye, some of my continental stuff overhangs the re-railer too, which is a little frustrating, to say the least!