Proses Programmable Train Elevator

[KiwiAlan]

I spotted Proses' new programmable train elevator for N scale and wondered what other members think of it.

On paper it looks quite attractive – up to 24 trains stored in a relatively small footprint, touchscreen control, programmable positions, and direct connection to the layout.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KHHZrmfUi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

However, it also reminds me a little of the old Nelevator concept. From what I recall, Nelevator generated a lot of interest but ultimately disappeared, with a number of modellers reportedly losing deposits when the business failed.

I'm therefore interested in hearing views from those who have experience with:

• Proses products generally
• The quality and reliability of their engineering
• Customer service and after-sales support
• Whether anyone has seen one of these elevators operating in the flesh

A few questions that come to mind:

• How precise is the track alignment likely to be over time?
• What happens if power is interrupted while the lift is moving?
• Does anyone know what sort of indexing/position feedback system it uses?
• Would you trust it with a collection of expensive N gauge stock?
• Given the Nelevator experience, would you be comfortable placing a deposit on a product like this before there are a reasonable number in service?

I'm not trying to be negative, it's an innovative concept and could be a great space-saving solution, but I'd be keen to hear both positive and cautionary views before considering one.

[ntpntpntp]

As it's not available yet nobody except Proses can answer the specific questions and who knows about long-term reliability?

Proses seem to come up with a lot of products, some seem to be good ideas.  I've not used any of their offerings myself.

[njee20]

I agree with ntp on all counts. At the moment few can answer any of that!

I certainly wouldn't let the failure of Nelevation cloud my opinion of the Proses offering, they're wholly different products. A lot of the Proses products feel like a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, or a solution in search of a problem, but I can see the appeal of this.

[Thorpe Parva]

Appear to be 2 different sizes & available to purchase...

https://proseshobby.com/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=elevator

[njee20]

As I understand it the pre-existing product is a single shelf one - effectively replacing a gradient, as a means of getting a train to a different height, rather than a complete storage system. The new one has the 12 roads and is therefore a proper storage system (and comparator to the Nelevation). I imagine the price will be rather higher than the ~£500 for the current one.

[JulianO]

It does look interesting, but I couldn't find a price anywhere..
The currently available one, which is a lift only, translates to about NZ$ 1500, so the new one is likely to be quite expensive, and is likely to be over the threshold to attract import duty if brought here into New Zealand.

[njee20]

I would expect at least double the existing product price. However if it works well (and that's one that time will tell) then I can definitely see the appeal. An instantaneous fiddle yard is very cool, particularly for space constrained layouts.

I don't know how big Proses are, but they're definitely more established than one bloke in his garage as Nelevation was. I'm not sure I'd rush to be an early adopter, but I'll definitely watch with interest.   

[emjaybee]

From the outside looking in, the Nelevator issue was that they were essentially a tiny cottage industry, unable, or unwilling to upscale production who produced a remarkeable product that proved more popular than they expected. Operational issues of the device didn't help. Maybe they should have paused production, and deposit taking, & ironed out the issues.
I seem to recall communication with customers wasn't great either.

There is most definitely a market for such a device. Proses are at least an established company who, I'd like to think, has enough nouse, financial stability & manpower to achieve where others have failed.

[Brian-1c]

Proses are part of Bachmann.

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/category/model-railway/proses

[njee20]

That I didn't realise. That's very interesting, and would definitely give me more conifdence in trying the train elevator.

[Hightower]

Further update:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1G9fUJuCKH/

[njee20]

Expected price of €1800-€2000, probably much the same in pounds. Given it saves on all of those point motors and points that isn't all that bad. 24 fiddle yard roads, if one assumes you need 48 pairs of points and motors you quickly get up to that spend anyway. Would love to see if someone can make it work with iTrain, then I'd be sorely tempted!