Overhead crane build

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I thought I might as well put this build project in here, and not fill up the WPF thread.

I’ve wanted an OH crane for my transload/team track area since I built the lay out.

I’ve collected a few kits, along with the Walthers versions, but I didn’t want a crane that needed permanent towers or columns for support. I wanted something “mobile”.

I found many ideas on Google Images, and decided to get to work.

I decide on a truss type structure, and used this Con Cor kit as a starting point.

Others have put this kit out, like AHM, and IHC. This is the picture on the box.

Notice the supports on the right side, is only a single leg. I needed more.

I scratched built two new legs for the right side, and rebuilt the base rails to accept wheels. Semi trailer wheels fit the situation nicely.

I’ll skip many dull pictures of getting things to fit, and jump right to the crane standing on it’s own wheels.

Now I can start the many,many detail parts I’ll need to put this crane together. I built the power unit, a motor, with a generator, to operate the hoist itself, and a pump to provide the hydrostatic power need for power to move the crane.

The generator is on the right side, and the oil pump and cooler on the left.

I used styrene and grills from Plano to put this together.

By the way, that’s my main man, Bob. He needs new boots, so he ha

2

That’s neat…

BTW where is Bob’s hard hat ?

3

Bob doesn’t need a hard hat. He’s been around since this build from the late 80’s and 90’s,

He’s been my main crew. I gave him new boots this morning, he now stands on his own, no hard hat, but steel toe safety boots. [swg]

Mike.

4

Mike, I likes it. Great looking crane and nice scenes too!

Thanks and regards, Peter

5

Awesome job Mike! That looks great.

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Especially good job on the enclosure for the diesel power plant. I just wish it was Onan Green instead of Caterpillar Yellow.

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-Kevin

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6

Very impressive Mike. I know you put a lot of hours in on that build. Nice work!

TF

7

Very nice! You’ve done a great job.

8

Thanks to all! [:D]

Mike.

9

Very nicely-done, Mike! [tup][tup]

Wayne

10

Hey Mike, great job.

I like these start-to-finish photo sequences. [Y]

Robert

11

Thank you Wayne, and Robert.

I only wanted to show the pictures with actual progress being made. There a few more boring pictures of getting things to fit I left out.

Here’s one I did forget, making a more realistic and working hoist from the parts

from the fake hoist from the kit, and some styrene.

The hook and sheeve assembly I used is from an Athearn wrecking crane, it’s actuall metal, and the sheeve inside works.

I can turn the wheel on the end, and raise and lower the line.

Mike.

12

That’s a useful option to have, especially for photos. When I built mine, almost 50 years ago, I used sheaves from the ship modelling section of my LHS, and never thought about making it pose-able, let alone operational…

Wayne

13

You did an excellent job on that Mike! [Y] [Y] [Y]

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

14

Thanks Frank! and a thank you to all that respnded. [:D]

I didn’t think my piping and conduit work would hold up to the macro lens, so I didn’t even go there. [swg]

More practice coming on the next project.

Mike.

15

Yeah, but You’ll know it’s there and Your efforts will be seen in person…he he! Take the plunge. Plus seeing Your skills, makes Me think I could use a hand with three more ship builds. [:-^]

One is getting close to completion…If no one minds…a couple of pic’s:

Ready for paint:

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

BTW: Putting this flag on was a Big challenge…it’s a double sided decal:

16

Three more ships? You have some projects ahead! That build is looking great.

I don’t think anyone minds when you show your work, Frank, and it doesn’t matter if it’s your bridges, your trucks, or the ships!

I’ve jumped right back in, and back to a project I started a couple of years ago, reserecting a MILW. transfer caboose, current home is the East Troy Electric RR.

The ETERR took off all the ladders and walkway across the top, I’ll be restoring all of that on my model. It is a complete scratch build, as I don’t have a caboose chassis that is even close.

I’m keeping a picture diary. I’ll be doing the railings using what I’ve learned from your fence and gate project. Trying the solder past for the first time.

Anyway, great work on the ship!

Mike.

17

Hi Mike,

Your crane is really well done! I think you are being too critical of yourself over the details.

Thanks for sharing.

Dave

18

Thanks Dave. Well, this is the first serious attempt at piping and conduit, and after viewing a couple of shots I took in macro mode, I decided to wait until I develop more skill. [:|]

Their is actually a generator visible through the screen on the power plant. It’s the same red color as the air cleaner that sticks out.

Hopefully next build.

Thanks again Dave, much appriciated.

Mike.

19

How does ‘waiting’ develop more skill? ‘Doing’ develops skill! Messing up really develops your skills!![swg][(-D][(-D] (Okay, making the same mistake two or three times in a row does get a little tedious!)

Photos are a great way of learning. Back in my early retail days the Sears catalog guys used black and white photos to proof colour shots. Every defect showed up much more clearly. I’m not sure if the same method is used today.

Dave

20

I get what your saying Dave, and by waiting, I don’t mean I’m sitting on my thumbs, just hoping I can get better.

I’m already up to my rear in another project, and will be doing brake work, and railings, and more projects next in line, as I get towards the end of my “modeling season”.

When macro images of what I have built pass my smell test, they’ll be presented for yours.

I’ll look through what images I took of the crane project, and see if I can come up with a couple that might be …presentable? [(-D]

Detailed photos of scratch building is a getting to be a tough act to follow in here, with the likes of you, Frank, Rich, Rick, the guy who builds steam locos (forgot his name), along with many others.

Thanks for the comments Dave !

Mike.