Cradle for Train Repairs

I use the Bowser cradle.  They sent it free with a trolley purchase several years ago.

https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/bow/bow24.htm

Perfect. I will look for something like that at the next show.

Collectors Choice train shop out of Overland Park KS has a great foam caddy.

Paul

I got a foam cradle last Christmas, it's helpful to free up my hands... when removing the screws that secure the shell in place.

My cradle looks like the version Drew posted, here.

Prior to getting a cradle, I either rested a locomotive on my leg or held it with one hand, resting on a towel. Obviously, it's harder to work using only one hand...

NOTE: If the locomotive I am working on has winged sun visors, there is the potential for a visor to break off, when the locomotive is placed upside down, in the cradle.

* Be careful with the downward pressure being placed on the locomotive. *

Once the shell has been removed, I don't see a cradle being of much use.

lowen

That Bowser cradle is listed as out of stock, due date unknown.    I'm looking for one of these too.

I use an old computer stand lined with bubble wrap and paper towels.  OK so far.

Make sure you get the #24 Foam Cradle for O model, #22 & #23 are for HO and N scale.

They are currently available on Amazon and Ebay.

Jim

I have two of these.  One stays by the layout and one by the test stand/work area.  The two can be put end to end, for larger steam locomotives.

Just to let you know one is big enough to hold a Williams E7 diesel...only the cab hangs over the end.

I just fold up one or two old, clean, short napped towels. The weight of the engine makes a cradle. I have yet to have an engine roll over on me.

I have a cradle that I purchased quite a few years ago. I think I use it once every few years.

I have one that looks like the ones above except it doesn't have the middle piece. I use it every time I service a loco or rolling stock. The only problem I have with it is it just looks like a piece of packing foam and when my kids were in the basement doing their 4-H craft work it almost go used for something it wasn't intended to be! 

I use both the O gauge and large-scale blue foam cradles, manufacturer unknown. I purchased these at a local shop in Charlotte, NC in the 1990's.

I do line my cradles with a white kitchen garbage bag to avoid any interaction between the foam and the paint finish on my engines. Any lubricant spills also do not stain the foam cradle.

i made my own from plywood and soft foam (auto roof/headliner backing) works awsome. 

Same here, made mine out of pine 1x 6s and lined it with foam.  Works great.

I made two of my own out of old miter boxes.  Just line them with foam.

.....

Dennis

I've used an old bath towel, folded over several times, for years.  It certainly isn't high tech, but the price is right and it makes it easy to rotate the position of the engine.

Curt

Same here, I fold up a couple of bath towles and it has worked fine for years now.  Bill B.

Those crazy shaped foam pillows for your head to rest in and support your neck.  Looks like a "Fat short U".  Covered with cloth so no interaction.

I have always had good luck with a wooden miter box lined with a folded up cloth towel. Works great and the price is right.

Rod