Intermodal cranes, forklifts. What's recommended and available ?

ceiteach1 Apr 19, 2011

  1. ceiteach1

    ceiteach1 TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  2. ken G Price

    ken G Price TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  3. ceiteach1

    ceiteach1 TrainBoard Member

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    Ken, thanks for your response. Great layout ! I like what you have done to create the Intermodal facilities.

    Keith.
     
  4. b-16707

    b-16707 TrainBoard Member

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  5. baldylox

    baldylox TrainBoard Member

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  6. daniel_leavitt2000

    daniel_leavitt2000 TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  7. Glenn Poole

    Glenn Poole TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  8. ken G Price

    ken G Price TrainBoard Member

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    After seeing some of the Wheels of Time products I plan on waiting for their piggy packer to come out.
     
  9. Smike

    Smike TrainBoard Member

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    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:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Steve Ervin

    Steve Ervin TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  11. ceiteach1

    ceiteach1 TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  12. Smike

    Smike TrainBoard Member

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    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.
     
  13. steamghost

    steamghost TrainBoard Member

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    Remember that Wiseman Model Services had the very nice NSN Piggypacker kits under consideration for revival.
     
  14. Jeff B

    Jeff B TrainBoard Member

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    I have used the N Scale Intermodal Store many times with no complaints. Great folks to deal with.
    Jeff
     
  15. jsoflo

    jsoflo TrainBoard Member

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    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
     

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