In picking up a steam locomotive, you have to consider not only delicate parts and the weight but also that it is draging the tender. I would try to move it along with a firm grip on the cylinders until it was at a point where I can reach it and safely remove it from the platform. Otherwise would get up on the platform, clearing what was necessary first, and retrieve the engine. I would not trust one of these devises to hold a heavy engine at arms length as Ilifted the engine from the back of the layout.
And yes I do have a gripper and yes I have used quite a few times.
