Micro Engineering Kit Question???

Kisatchie Jul 23, 2022

  1. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

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    I'm thinking about getting the
    Micro Engineering N 55-002 Transworld Truck Terminal Kit

    but I'm not sure if it also serves rail traffic. Does anyone know if I can run a siding up to it? The photo I have of it only shows some trailers at the freight doors on one side.

    Thanks!
     
  2. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    If the rail goes behind the building from the aisle view...no one would know if there are really doors on the back for rail cars anyways.

    If dock doors are the right height for trailers out front one would presume they would also be the right height for rail cars in the back.

    You can find Larger picture of the building here...

    https://web4.hobbylinc.com/u/126278/pic41393-1588304658.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2022
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  3. jwaldo

    jwaldo TrainBoard Member

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    Several companies (Tichy Train Group and Micro Engineering themselves come to mind, and I'm sure there are more) offer separate warehouse doors. If the opposite side of it is flat, adding doors would be a trivial modification.
     
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  4. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry, I don't have that kit, but generally, if there are doors for rail service, the name will have "transfer" in it. Since this one says "truck terminal" I'd feel safe saying no back doors. As noted, you can get doors from a number of sources, and it's generally pretty easy to cut the walls to install them.
     
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  5. cfritschle

    cfritschle TrainBoard Member

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    The Micro Engineering "warehouse sized" buildings do not have pre-cut door openings. The walls are molded recessed lines on the back that one can use to cut out the door openings. If the kit does not come with enough doors for what you are trying to build, extra doors are available.

    https://www.walthers.com/doors-warehouse-overhead

    I do have several Micro Engineering building kits, but not the Transworld Truck Terminal. The track would probably have to lowered, or the truck parking raised a bit to have a level pass through for a transfer of freight.

    Carter
     
  6. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    One could always use a 'dock plate' to load/unload a freight cars out back just like they use a 'dock plate' to load/unload freight trucks on the street side of a freight house...JMO.

    https://copperloy.com/dock-equipment/loading-dock-plate/rail-dock-plates/

    or even electric ones...

     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2022
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  7. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    We have some of those style dock plates in a couple of our warehouse, both electric (like the video) and manual. Those are made to be mounted in a pit in the concrete on a warehouse floor. The ones I've seen for outside look more like a mini version of the ramps used to load auto racks and are pretty nerve racking if your on a fork lift. :eek:

    Back to the ME building. That kit has been around a really long time. Like 40 years long. I had one on my first layout. It only had doors on one side at that time. Guessing that is still the case. However, it would be pretty easy to add railcar doors on the back side or like someone else mentioned, if you can't see the back, then its all left to the imagination. :) Either way, it's a neat little kit. You would probably enjoy it.
     
  8. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    I suspect that the kit walls are scored for door openings on both sides and if not it is an easy job to make some. And then as others have pointed out doors are available. As pointed out in the photo by

    The building is on a raised foundation so rear boxcar loading and unloading should not be an issue. If you are using Unitrack I would go with a section or two of Atlas track which will lower the track.
     
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  9. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I did just that for my freight handling district. :)(y)(y)
    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
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  10. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    WE had the short ones you just slide out the door and into the trailer. I am sure they work for rail cars as well.

    https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/2/0/7/0/9/webimg/418744994_o.jpg

    Easy peazy. (y)
     
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  11. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yep used those too :) We had some for railcars just like that one but a little bigger. It's the longer ones from the ground up that get me. I don't miss my loading and unloading days.
     
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  12. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yup. Ground up ramps with a forklift are definitely not for the faint of heart. They could NEVER get me to do it. They tried...but failed LOL. :eek::censored:
     
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  13. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I only watched it being done and then found something else to deal with. :whistle:
     
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