I will likely be without a layout for another year or so (except for modular running). I got the idea for roller bases. These are the 3 brands on the market. Anyone have any thoughts?

JAK Co





Protech




Aristocraft




Thanks in advance...I suspect there won't be many opinions...I may just go with the JAK Co ones...they have the best pic!

Peter

Dennis had posted this thread on the tinplate forum:

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve...=866101742#866101742

I thought the Jak Running Base was a pretty cool idea. I would like to make something similiar to this so that I can take one of my engines to the office!

Jim

Thanks, Jim...I only rarely check out thast venue...Much appreciated!



My idea is to mount a 40" straight on a piece of decent wood, wire it and excercise my engines.

Peter

JAK makes a superb running base. I have 4 of them and they are the best. They are well made and attractive and will provide years of operation with no problems. These bases are built to last!

jeb

Ok...For us newbies...

What are these used for exactly?

The way I'll use them is like this:
1. I don't have a permanent layout.
2. I want to run my engines and play with their electronics.
3. I'll put the stationary rollers on a 40" straight. Wire the track and run the engines(putting the wheels on the bases like the F3 above). The bases pick up the track power.
4. The engine goes nowhere because it "spins its wheels" on the roller bases.

They allow you to run your engines but in a stationary position. Power runs thru the rollers.

Since you are the Putnam Division and want to EVENTUALLY run your trains do the following.
First buy two books.
'The old Put..' by Joe Schiavone, published in 2007
'The Putnam Division' by Gallo & Kramer published in 1989

Read them toroughly and plan your layout.
1)Pick out which stops you will model out of the following:
155th street, High Bridge, Morris Heights, University Heights,KingsBridge,Lincoln, Dunwoodie, Bryn Mawr park, Nepperhan, Gray Oaks, Mt. Hope, Ardsley, Elmsford, Tarrytown Heights, Pocantico Hills, Briarcliff Manor, Millwood, Croton Lake, Yorktown Heights, Amalwalk Granite Springs, Baldwin Place, Mahopac, Carmel, Tilly Foster and Putnam Junction!
2)Run a single track against a long wall.
3)Get an RS-1,2 or 3 or a GP9 with tiger stripes, a few freight cars and run them up , manually switch engine and caboose and run them back.

Do this rather than getting rollers!!!

Putnam Division I have a collectors choice roller base and because the engine sets at track level - like a display base - I thought it was the best. They advertise in the model train mag. Look at their web site and judge for your self.
http://www.collectorschoicetra...m/rollertestunit.htm

I think they are a great idea. I found at Wholesale Trains, they stock the Protech sets for 59.95 for a set of 4. That's $40 cheaper than what I could see for the Jak model.
I've ordered two sets.

Thanks for all the replies.

Hugh, I've had Joe's book since last Fall and I've owned the Gallo book since the early 90's. I've driven and explored much of the lower Put's territory. I hope to do more some day.

I've seen another one, probably here that has the wheels almost down on the track. If I was going to buy one, that's the one i'd buy because of it's realism.

I have been very happy with my JAK rollers.

I have the Protech set. Relatively cheap and do a good job for testing and repair. They are not very stable and wouldn't consider for a display. Steamers do look good on them as you can see the wheel and side rod action. Diesels look static even when running.

Collectors Choice -- top quality and realistic looking.

I have the Jak Tools Dynamic Running Base and it has served me quite well.

I haven't seen anyone mention how useful they are to someone who does repairs and maintenance? They are also great if you are weathering as to get an even coverage on your wheels with an airbrush. It is also a great way to troubleshoot a malfunctioning engine. This is definetely on my need to have list as I am planning a pull out work shelf under the layout.

quote:

Originally posted by stevin:
I haven't seen anyone mention how useful they are to someone who does repairs and maintenance? ...

That's why I bought my set. Used it once or twice a few years ago.
It's easier to keep a couple of very small blocks of wood on the work bench to
put under the front and rear of a steamer or the middle of a diesel.
Either way you have to hook test leads to something so no convenience there either.