Hi. I would appreciate some advise. I'm considering adding an Intermodal loading, unloading area to my layout. Timeline is present day. What are you using to load and unload containers ? I did some research. Walthers has a hi-jack crane kit available. I saw a 1:150 scale Japanese container forklift by Fujimoto Hobbies. Several companies announced Preliminary work on a Reachstacker and Piggystacker container forklift, available at a future date. What are you using today ? If you could post a photo of your yard, thanks a million ! Thanks in advance for your comments. Keith.
I have two intermodal yards on my layout. One is for TOFC and one is for containers. You can see them using the link to my layout below. I have a Walthers Mi-Jack at each one and will be adding a Reachstacker or Piggystacker container type forklift when money allows.
Ken, thanks for your response. Great layout ! I like what you have done to create the Intermodal facilities. Keith.
wheels of time has a piggy packer coming out too Wheels of Time - Wheels of time :: Historically Accurate Model Trains and Vehicles
Wathers Mi-Jack GHQ Mi-Jack - rare and expensive GHQ 50-001 N Metal Mi-Jack Translift Straddle Crane Kit | eBay Searails has stacker, reacher etc plus a super nice crane $$$$$$ SEARAILS Museum Quality Scale Models Design plans for a crane were in an old issue of Nscale or Nscale RRing Basic Loader - N Scale Heavy Duty 40,000 Pound Fork Lift | eBay theres a few. GL!
Stuff to buy: GHQ Mi-Jack: The best overhead stacker available (white metal kit). Hard to find. N Scale Nevada Piggy Packer: Hard to find, expensive and hard to build but this is currently the best looking TOFC loader out there Showcase Reach Stacker: This is different from the model from Deluxe below. It is a forklift style stacker with no boom. Its a very nice white metal kit if you can find it. Deluxe Innovations Reach Stacker: Will come in kit and RTR form. The kit will feature swing arms for trailer loading. The rapid prototype samples are very good. Wheels of Time Piggy Packer: No photos yet, but WoT stuff is always very good. Stuff to think about: Fujumoto Reach Stacker: Nice model, but at 1/150 its a bit large. Maruka Reach Stacker: Different model than the Fujimoto, but also oversized. Be aware there are some major build quality issues. Tomytec Reach Stacker: Similar model as the Fujimoto and also oversized. Tomytec build quality, details, price and availablility make this the best Japanese option. Walthers Mi-Jack: Its an OK model, and dirt cheap at about $20, but it looks like a garish toy next to the GHQ model. Get only if you don't have $100 to drop on an overhead crane. PD Mash Reach Stacker: This is a Bristish N scale 1/148 model that uses the rear mounted boom. The kit is a bit smaller than the Japenese models and is about perfect for the US. Its a metal kit and can be found on eBay for about $35 shipped. Stuff to avoid: Paula's Hobbies Reach Stacker: This company has gone through many names. You may remember them as Burt Industries. The models are just awful. Avoid like a plauge. Sea Rails Container Cranes: Yuk, this company should give up rapid prototype cast projects. The detail isn't there but tons of flash, thick paint and thatched surfaces are. The wheels are too small and the cranes would obviously tip over if loaded.
I think these are the best on the market today. I also have one of the old I think Showcase Minitures kits and although these two models are slightly larger, they are just fine in my view. I have all three of them in the same scene and they look fine. I don't understand the comment regarding the "major build quality issues". I found no issues with these models.
After seeing some of the Wheels of Time products I plan on waiting for their piggy packer to come out.
I have the TCM FD450 Container Handler. Being that its 1/150 scale only seems to matter on paper. In Person I see no issue (and I'm picky about this kind of stuff) Here are some pics:
I always question when someone complains about a 1:150 or 1:144 model. Surely nobody has the vast experience to say that they look too big (or too little) when the percentage difference is so small. I wonder how many of us could guess the scale if a new model was placed in front of us. I use 1:148, 1:150, 1:144 and 1:160 on my layout and see no problem (and yes I am picky too). Steve E.
Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I will keep this information handy. For an immediate buy, I do like the TCM FD 430 Container Handler and the FCM Reachstacker. Where do you buy these items ? I checked a number of sites. I found the N Scale Intermodal Store in Florida. Anyone used them ? I live in Canada, so I have to be careful of high shipping costs. Thanks in advance for your recommendations. Feel free to pm me. I don't want to break any site rules on discussing retailers ! Thanks and regards, Keith.
N Scale Intermodal Store is where I purchased mine, smooth transaction with no complaints. I also noticed that Deluxe Innovations is distributing them as well.
Remember that Wiseman Model Services had the very nice NSN Piggypacker kits under consideration for revival.
I have used the N Scale Intermodal Store many times with no complaints. Great folks to deal with. Jeff
N Scale Intermodal Store is run by a frequent contributor to Trainboard, Steve C.They are fantastic and always well priced, they are related to his other company, S&R Models and so have been around for some time, so you can have confidence in them, enjoy! Jan