THE DECKER LOG LOADER
© pierreparis
The TRS2004 Models and the Kuid
table
How to install the scenery and the
industry versions in the surveyor
How to use the industry
interactive version
How to use of the loco version
DESCRIPTION
(Source: www.steaminthewoods.com with the authorization of Marc Reusser)
(Excerpted from a Clyde Iron Works equipment catalog)
”The Decker machine is another type of self- propelling loader, of which we
are the exclusive manufacturers. Like the McGiffert
loader, it travels upon the same track over which the logging cars pass, and
permits the logging cars to run through it. In the Decker device, however, the
cars run over the loader trucks instead of under them, as in the McGiffert construction.
The body of the Decker loader is a sort of two story car. The lower deck is
open at each end, and is of such
width as to permit the passage of empty cars. The upper deck,
upon which are mounted the engine and hoisting mechanism, is supported upon
standards or posts, which rest upon the bolsters. A portable track is
secured to the lower deck; this track is provided with hinged end sections, which
may be lowered to the main track, and thus form a
continuous railway through the machine.
CONSTRUCTION
Body Frame - The frame of the Decker loader, which is subject to enormous
strains incident to the handling of heavy logs, is constructed entirely of
structural steel. The body bolsters which sustain the entire weight of the
superstructure, are composed of three ten-inch I beams,
plated above and below, to form a solid girder. From the ends of the body
bolsters, at each corner of the frame, standards extend upward. These are each
composed of three six-inch I beams. Cross girders composed of I beams and
plates are secured between each pair of standards at a sufficient height to
accommodate the empty cars.
The deck beams which support the engine and boiler and the floor of the
machine, are riveted to the underside of the cross girders, thus reducing the
height of the upper deck. The sides of the frame are built up of channels set
flush with the inside of the corner standards. This leaves sufficient space for
the sprocket chains and other connections on the side, without extending them
beyond the outside line of the standards.
A thorough system of bracing is used throughout and all parts are hot riveted
together.
The trucks are of the standard four-wheel type, and aside from the wheels, are
of steel. The truck bolsters are hung low to reduce the height of the machine.
M. C. B. journals, journal boxes, brasses and wedges are provided. Standard
24-inch double plate car wheels are used unless otherwise specified. When,
however, the machine is to be operated on a defective track, we prefer a wheel
with a five inch tread and 1 5-8 inch flange. For use on wood rail, we furnish
wheels with 6 inch tread and 2 1-2 inch flange.
The portable tracks are made of heavy, standard section rail thoroughly
trussed. The inclined sections are provided with forged steel points, which are
flexibly connected, so as to adjust themselves to the ball of the rail, and
afford a smooth surface for the car wheels. The approaches are elevated by
means of cables, operated by the engine. When the track is in fair condition,
it is not necessary to raise them in making short moves.
Steel water tanks of sufficient capacity for a day's run are secured under the
portable track, and between the trucks. The low position of
these tanks serve to steady the machine.
For propelling the machine, an extension shaft is connected with the engine by
means of a steel clutch. This shaft drives a second shaft, journaled
upon the lower deck beneath the portable track, the connecting chain running
down the side of the frame between the forward and rear standards. This latter
shaft is connected by sprockets and sprocket chains with the truck axles at
each end of the loader, thus making all of the wheels drivers. As the engine
has sufficient power to slip the wheels upon dry rails, the traction efficiency
is high, enabling the loader not only to handle heavy loads, but to climb
exceedingly heavy grades.
A friction brake wheel is mounted on the lower propeller shaft. . This brake is
operated by a lever located upon the upper deck of the machine within easy
reach of the engineer.
The boom of the Decker loader is of the rigid A-shaped type. This boom is
secured in heavy castings, bolted to the forward cross girder of the frame. It
is held at the proper elevation by means of guy cables, which extend back to
the rear corners of the frame. The boom band at the peak of the boom, the
loading and skidding blocks and other boom attachments, are similar to those
which are used on the McGiffert loader.
ENGINE AND BOILER
Power is furnished by a double horizontal cylinder, two-drum hoisting engine,
specially designed to withstand the strains incident to the handling of logs,
and the propelling of the machine itself. All gears are of cast steel and the
drums are bronze bushed. Each drum works independently, and is operated by
means of "V" friction. The drums are also provided with steel
ratchets. The engine bed is of one solid, casting made to also afford a base
for the boiler, so that all piping, shafts and gearing are firmly held in
proper place, thus maintaining tight steam joints and a perfect alignment of
the working parts. All levers are within easy reach of the engineer. From one
point he is thus enabled to readily and quickly control all the movements of
the machine.
The boiler is double riveted and is licensed to carry 125 pounds steam
pressure. A triple riveted boiler can be furnished where conditions are such as
to require higher pressure.
As the Decker loader rests always upon its trucks, it may be used for loading
at any point along the track where loaded cars may be handled. It is immaterial
whether the machine stands upon a trestle or a fill, as the required foundation
is always present. It needs no blocking or other special provision for its
support. The Decker is particularly adapted for operating on light steel or
wood rails, as its weight is well distributed. It is used very extensively
under these conditions and has given the highest satisfaction. The fact that
the Decker machine at no time rests upon the empty cars permits it to be used
without detriment in connection with cars of light construction. The Decker
machine is designed for either standard or narrow gauge track.
OPERATION
The train of empty cars is backed through the machine, preparatory to loading,
either by the road engine or by means of a spotting line. The spotting line is
then secured at the rear of as many cars as are to be loaded at one point, and
these cars are then drawn through by means of the spotting line and brought
successively into position under the boom to receive their loads. Where short
moves only are to be made, the machine may be moved without elevating the
inclined sections of the portable track, and even without removing the cars
that may be resting upon the portable track. Where the logs are scattered along
the track in such a position that they may be loaded upon cars without moving
the train, the cars may be held in a fixed position and the machine backed
under the train, moving from car to car as required.
For loading, either end hooks or tongs may be used. Where the logs are skidded
parallel with the track the end hooks are usually preferable. The Decker
machine may be provided with skidding line, and other necessary skidding
attachments. When so equipped it serves admirably as a combination machine.
[Typical operation consists of] The logs are skidded into the track by means of
the skidding line, the skidding tongs being secured to the end of the log. It
is drawn in until its forward end is over the car. The tongs are then shifted
to the center and the log swung into position. The same cable is ordinarily
used both for loading and skidding. The shifting of the tongs for the loading
requires but a moment. When there are no cars at hand the logs are piled up
along the track.
The facility with which the Decker may be used under the most difficult
conditions has made it a most popular machine for mountain logging. While a few
teams are usually found desirable for bunching the logs, in several operations
a single Decker is supplying the full requirements of the mill without other
logging means of any sort.”
THE TRS2004
MODELS AND THE KUID TABLE
Three models were made for TRS2004: a scenery,
an industry interactive and a loco. Each model exists in two versions: one for
the standard gauge and one for the 3 ft narrow gauge. There is a pack for each
version. Some assets are common to several versions. You will need also some
external assets from Slugsmasher
(Rich Blake), Elvenor and narrowgauge
(P.Pardoe-Matthews). Thanks to us for their
contributions.
The industry version is compatible with the Multi Log
(M-Log) system that Rich Blake is developing. It controls all the AI trains
trying to pass through the loader (see below ‘How to use the industry
interactive model). Keep in mind that the scenery model doesn’t
carry out this control. So the AI train can pass through
the scenery loader in a non realistic way.
There is no spotting line operation. The log cars must
be shoved back by a locomotive until the loader, and then pulled down to be
loaded.
You will found the scenery and the industry models
under USA/logging and the loco models under US/logging.
KUID TABLES
Scenery and Industry model:
|
Kind |
Name |
KUID2 |
Pack
Decker log loader SG as scenery |
Pack
Decker log loader NG3 as scenery |
Pack
Decker log loader SG industry |
Pack
Decker log loader NG3 industry |
|
Mocrossing |
Decker_log_loader_NG3_scenery |
86528:38004:0 |
|
X |
|
|
|
Mocrossing |
Decker_log_loader_SG_scenery |
86528:38006:0 |
X |
|
|
|
|
Industry |
Decker_NG3_industry |
86528:38010:0 |
|
|
|
X |
|
Industry |
Decker_SG_industry |
86528:38012:0 |
|
|
X |
|
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_bogey_NG
3 |
86528:38100:0 |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_bogey_SG |
86528:38102:0 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_incline_track_NG
3 |
86528:38103:0 |
|
X |
|
X |
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_incline_track_SG |
86528:38105:0 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_transmission |
86528:38106:0 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_loading_line |
86528:38107:0 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_steam_engine |
86528:38109:0 |
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_character |
86528:38110:0 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
Mesh |
Dll_scenery_character2 |
86528:38111:0 |
|
|
X |
X |
Dependencies:
|
Model |
Kind |
Name |
KUID/KUID2 |
Author |
|
Industry |
Product |
32ft_logset |
86661:9440302 |
Slugsmasher |
|
Industry |
Product |
40ft_logset |
86661:9440303 |
Slugsmasher |
|
Industry |
Product |
16ft_logset |
86661:9440304 |
Slugsmasher |
|
Scenery and
industry |
Track |
MAN6 Invisible Track |
63290:38102 |
Elvenor |
|
Industry |
Texture |
Mlog_icon |
86661:9000100:1 |
Slugsmasher |
Loco model:
|
Kind |
Name |
KUID2 |
Pack
Decker log loader SG as loco |
Pack
Decker log loader NG3 as loco |
|
Traincar |
Decker_log_loader_NG3_loco |
86528:38007:0 |
|
X |
|
Traincar |
Decker_log_loader_SG_loco |
86528:38009:0 |
X |
|
|
Bogey |
Dll_loco_bogey_NG3 |
86528:38200:0 |
|
X |
|
Bogey |
Dll_loco_bogey_SG |
86528:38202:0 |
X |
|
|
Bogey |
Dll_trans_bogey |
86528:38203:0 |
X |
X |
|
Bogey |
Dll_steam_engine_bogey |
86528:38204:0 |
X |
X |
|
Pants |
Dll_loco_track_NG
3 |
86528:38300:0 |
|
X |
|
Pants |
Dll_loco_track_SG |
86528:38302:0 |
X |
|
|
Traincar |
Dll_reach_bar |
86528:38400:0 |
X |
X |
|
Traincar |
Dll_reach_bar_automatic |
86528:38401:0 |
X |
X |
Dependencies:
|
Kind |
Name |
KUID/KUID2 |
Author |
|
Engine |
Climax Engine File |
44700:51003 |
narrowgauge |
|
Enginesound |
Climax Steam Sounds |
44700:53003 |
narrowgauge |
|
Hornsound |
Climax Whistle |
44700:54003 |
narrowgauge |
HOW TO INSTALL
THE SCENERY AND THE INDUSTRY VERSIONS IN THE SURVEYOR
Place the Decker log loader
Connect a piece of track at
each spline point of the Decker Log Loader
Place a new track near the log
loader
Move this track without
connect it (shift key down while moving it) under the log loader
The cars will use the upper
track (the track that pass through the loader) and not the lower track
HOW TO USE THE
INDUSTRY INTERACTIVE VERSION
This version controls the AI trains whatever there destinations and
there schedules.
When the AI train comes to the back of the Decker, it is stopped and a
message is displayed in the radio message box. The user must cancel the current
driver command. The same when the train comes to the front of the Decker with
the loco first.
When the train comes to the front of the loader with the cars first (the
loco shoves the empties cars towards the front of the loader), the industry
script drives the train thought the loader until the loco is just in front of
it, then reverse the direction of the train and proceed to the loading of each
car.
The user must insert a turnaround procedure, if required, in the
schedule of the driver, to make so that the loco shoves the empties toward the
front of the loader.
The manual driven trains are managed as usual, without any control. Each
car is loaded if stopped under the boom of the Decker.
The products used (M-Log compatible)
|
Name |
KUID/KUID2 |
Author |
|
32ft_logset |
86661:9440302 |
Slugsmasher |
|
40ft_logset |
86661:9440303 |
Slugsmasher |
|
16ft_logset |
86661:9440304 |
Slugsmasher |
|
Logs |
-3:10001 |
Auran |
The cars to be used
|
Gauge |
Product
used compatible with the industry Decker log loader |
Name |
KUID/KUID2 |
Author |
|
NG 36 |
32ft_logset |
36ga |
86661:15039 |
Slugsmasher |
|
Standard |
40ft_logset |
SG Skeleton 42ft TRS |
86661:15047:1 |
Slugsmasher |
|
NG 36 |
32ft_logset |
36ga Skeleton 22ft Mich-Cal |
86661:15430:2 |
Slugsmasher |
|
NG 3 |
All sizes of M-Logs and Auran
Logs |
36ga Skeleton 42ft PCF |
86661:15049:1 |
Slugsmasher |
|
NG 3 |
32ft_logset |
36ga Skeleton 36ft D&C |
86661:15048:1 |
Slugsmasher |
HOW TO USE THE LOCO VERSION
The loco version has no interior.
Use the pantograph button to raise up and down the inclines tracks.
Use the reach bar to connect cars and to use the Decker log loader as a
locomotive for pulling or shoving a log cars train. The standard reach bar is
usually used with the NG cars listed above and the automatic with the standard
gauge cars.
