Arduk Testbench

I use a Lionel 5C topped by a roller test stand.  Use both regularly as I repair/service for two shops.

I remember seeing the Arduk and Sun Lines units in the old Yellow Hall at York.  Came close to buying one but got the 5C in the interim.

I also have a roller set that Arduk produced a few years after I bought the test bench.

Approximately how much does an Arduk Test Bench in good working order cost?

Over $1000 for Arduk Test Benches.

Lionels are often even more money.

This one seller wants $1600 or best offer.

Wow.  I bought it from Arduk for $550 at their display in York.  The list price was $600.  

In a back issue of OGR, I believe there was an article on how to build one for yourself. for over $1000.00 IT makes it worthwhile to build one yourself.

Any idea what issue of OGR that article was in?  That would surely be an interesting project! 

And at those prices, if one could streamline the build process and parts acquisition a little, it might just provide someone some extra train funding? OTOH, maybe not worth all the effort required, but who knows?    

Hello all,

This is my first post on the forum. Finally found in the OGR digital library the article on building an O gauge test set. The four page article is in run 148 - August 1996. When the article was first written, I started to collect all the needed materials and of course before building it, the OGR issue got packed away somewhere.  

Thanks for the article info! Definitely an interesting article. And thanks to the new OGR online archives, I now have the article saved for future reference!

Personally, they are not worth buying in my opinion, unless you want one for display. Two feet of track is not enough to see how a loco with track around curves and with a loaded train.

Some track, a transformer, some jumper wires and some rollers are really all you need. And that list takes up much less bench space.

It's just my opinion, but I value it highly.

No interest in buying one to actually use, I'm only interested in how it was made, parts used, wiring diagrams, etc.

RoyBoy posted:

Personally, they are not worth buying in my opinion, unless you want one for display. Two feet of track is not enough to see how a loco with track around curves and with a loaded train.

Some track, a transformer, some jumper wires and some rollers are really all you need. And that list takes up much less bench space.

It's just my opinion, but I value it highly.

My test bench has four loops and scenery 😁  I gave up on using a test track , even when it was "right there; no walk". The loops are the real test anyhow.

As long as track runs close to the transformer I'm good 😉  ..though two lines being down for maintenance is the norm.

I haven't had any trains that actually required rollers to run upright/stationary so a cradle and running jump clips is my norm for any stationary motor running.

I loved Gramps Lionel stand for the "mad scientist" look, but it wasn't used often and spent most of it's life under or at the rear of the bench.

My first electric project from scratch was a muti-tester (lights vs meters) and they (test equip) tend to be quite easy to build once you have a parts list done.

I already have tons of bench meters and power supplies, so what I really needed was a test track.  I made mine.

It allows for testing 3-rail or 2-rail by switching the power at the left side.  Each track section has a power switch and an indicator light.  The offset allows me to test locomotives on the rollers with the wireless tether connected to the tender on the raised section of track.  I also added a control track to test couplers and operating cars.  This is also very portable, and I can remove it easily from the bench when it's not in use.

Hi John, you wouldn't happen to have a parts list along with suppliers for your home made test track?

Any help would be great!

Mike, I don't really have a parts list.  I just grabbed some scrap wood and left over Fastrack and started hacking.

I'd suggest starting a new thread on making a test track and I can post a few pictures.  You can also get other ideas from folks that have built them.

Totally agree build your own!  Initially I purchased a couple of sets of JAK Rollers.  Tried these using MTH RealTrax since the rail profile had a wide flat top.  I quickly found that this was not stable enough to run my Premier Pennsy S2 and UP Big Boy at near flank speed.  So I designed and built these. NO problem at full flank speed of 120 SMPH. Also have meters but normally use my extra Z-4000. The longer one includes a second track to test operating functions on rolling stock.

On the initial long one can run any and all steam engines including C&O M1, N&W "Jawn Henry"and AA E=units also Pennsy AA Centipedes.

Also built a smaller test stand.

Also fitted them to a carrying case so can take them to shows to run anything I have for sale and test run engines for others.

Ron

Nice looking test stands.  I never feel the need to run a locomotive flat out on the rollers.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Nice looking test stands.  I never feel the need to run a locomotive flat out on the rollers.

When I buy a new engine first make sure all screws, bolts, and nuts are tight.  Then lubricate  it.  Then test run it for about a half an hour or so in both direction at all speeds starting at 5-SMPH up to flank.  Then bring it down to as slow as it will run.

Does everything but how it will do on curves.  And curves real do mean something.  After we built a new layout at local train shop toke my Big Boy over to test the O72 loop.  Ran on the straight away but stopped on the curve.  At home pulled the boiler.  Found that the main pin on the connector was not soldered in place.  And all the other pins had lousy solder joints.  Now the funny thing is like normal when I purchased the Big Boy there ran it on the old layout for hours and also later.

Ron

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mike, I don't really have a parts list.  I just grabbed some scrap wood and left over Fastrack and started hacking.

I'd suggest starting a new thread on making a test track and I can post a few pictures.  You can also get other ideas from folks that have built them.

Hi John, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I was more interested in where you got the rollers from? As they look like they have power hook ups in the center.

Thanks again!