Logging skeleton chains

In large scale (commonly known as 'G') it has been done with steel jewelry chain and very small rare earth magnets

Skeleton Log Cars

Actually, on the common skeleton log cars, the chain doesn’t go over the logs, the logs are just held on by gravity. The chain goes under the logs and is used to release the log bunks when it is time to unload. I have several of the Kadee (HO) log car kits and the instructions explain how this works.

Twitches

Dear Peter,

Struggling to find any example pics, and my log-loads are currently stashed "somewhere in the warehouse",
but for tensioning log-chains, I follow the (early 1900s geared-steam NG) prototype in both HO and O,
and use lengths of scale 4x4 stripwood as "twitches".

IE
- anchor both ends of the chain reasonably tightly
(however suits the situation)
- insert your 4x4 twitch in between the log and the chain, on the top centreline of the log
- twist the 4x4, so that the chain is wrapped around it til it's "taut enough" for the task
- anchor one (or both) free-ends of the twitch with a track spike

= job done...

NB that in my case, I tend to glue any "chock blocks" which stabilise the log on the bunk to the log,
and anchor the chain ends to these Blocks. This allows the entire log+blocks+chain to be easily and simply lifted clear of the car (commonly a "log bogie" or disconnect), for "loaded<> MT<> loaded" state conversion.

Between the "chock blocks" and a pair of headless PECO SL14 trackpins,
inserted in the bottom of the log-load to match tiny holes in the log bunks,
these "removable loads" are held simply/only by gravity, and are utterly reliable under exhibition conditions...

I hope this helps...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Prof, great idea there with the twitch.......

..........and a great video to boot.  I wish I had chock blocks to remove, making it easy to have loaded and unloaded cars easily, but mine are the type with the rails on them to accommodate a Barnhart loader.  For that reason I had to devise a method to undo the chains.  After trying a few methods I came up with one that works.  Not sure if the prototype used it but it works for me.  I anchor the chain on one side of the car and on the other I attach a ring big enough for the chain to fit through.  I pull the chain tight and shove a track spike though a link and it contacts both sides of the ring and holds it tight.  To remove the logs, pull out the spike.  If I find myself removing and replacing the logs a lot I will glue them together to make it easier...

Thanks for the reply!

Peter

Log Cars

Peter, certainly some interesting securement options to consider.

On cars with stake pockets I let the chain hang in the pocket to make it look like it was hooked there.

        On cars with out stake pockets, I have the chain go all the way around the log load.

All loads are removable. Blocks glued to the bottom of the load keep it on the car.

I used A-Line chain and Precision Design load binders.  I ran liquid cement for plastic down the chain & let it set up to stiffen the chain. The chains are attached to the logs with liquid cement. Overall, a really fun project!

@Jerry......wow.......

......you certainly did a wonderful job there and have given me some good ideas of alternate methods of securing the logs. My method is fine for loaded cars and removing the loose logs but reattaching them, not so much!

Im guessing yours are HO scale.  Do you know if they make load binders in O scale?

Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.  

Peter

Binders

The binders are part of the PDC product line that I sold to Prawn Designs. I don't think he has released them yet, but contact Bob at Prawn Designs and he'll hook you up. I'm sure he can scale them up to O for you.

http://prawndesigns.com/
/> https://www.facebook.com/PrawnDesigns/
/> https://www.etsy.com/shop/prawndesigns

Cheers!

Hey thanks for that, Bill......

....appreciate your help,

Peter

Thank You.....

Thank you Peter....yes, I am in Ho. Looks like Bill has you headed for what you need....Thanks Bill!