Lionel Transfer Table

Earnie,

 

Here are some shots of mine. It was featured in OGR Magazine in June/July 2009. I made my own extensions from Gargraves rails so that I could put sidings on 3 1/2" centers.

 

It all operates using DCS.

 

I like the idea of a transfer table so much that I built my own from scratch. I added one additional useful feature: If a train approaches the table and the transfer track is not at the mainline, it is automatically switched back to the mainline before the train reaches that point.

Earnie, I think I have had almost every Lionel accessory made. Two for me were the best. The transfer table and the electric crane. Before I went for a scale layout I had both on a layout. I had two extension with my table and loved it. Worked well every time. Don

It sure looks cool.

WOW....I'm really glad I asked advice about the xfer table. I've been thinking about either that or a turntable and am very glad to see how the xfer looks actually set up with locos on it esp with personal modifications. Sensational job Barry...looks really cool. About how much space is the whole thing taking...including the space for the spurs with the parked locos? It looks really nifty!

Earnie,

About how much space is the whole thing taking...including the space for the spurs with the parked locos?

It was originally 4' X 5' and was later extended to 5' X 5' to accommodate longer engines.

 

I'd post the OGR magazine article I wrote, however, that might infringe OGR's copyright.

Barry......I was so impressed by yours, I just made arrangements to purchase one myself....your a great salesman with great photos...thank you....Earnie

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

Earnie,

 

The idea fro using the Gargraves rails upon which to move the table came out of a conversation with Jim Barrett. The DCS operation was my own implementation.

 

The only caveats are that the Gargraves rails need to be cleaned occasionally and that the base under the rails must be relatively flat.

Barry...thanks ...a(probably obvious) question.....How does the movement "know" when to stop moving so that the xfer table rails are aligned with the spurs or is it something that the operator just has to control himself? Seems it would be rather tedious to control?  Regarding the rails....could not sections of a standard tubular O-gauge straight track be used also....particularly rails from longer straight sections?.....just the work of attaching/aligning them to the layout table top?

Earnie,

How does the movement "know" when to stop moving so that the xfer table rails are aligned with the spurs or is it something that the operator just has to control himself? Seems it would be rather tedious to control?

It's an "eyeball calibration".  

 

There's a "nudge" feature that allows table movement in very, very small increments. It's really not tedious at all.

Regarding the rails....could not sections of a standard tubular O-gauge straight track be used also....particularly rails from longer straight sections?

Yes, they could. However, I like the lower profile of Gargraves track, as well as the close-spaced wooden ties.

Pictures from the old layout:

 

 

 

Peter

 

 

 

From the new layout.....not operable yet......

 

Peter