Railway Crane

This weekend I started a new project. I had two incomplete LGB-ToyTrain crane cars that gave more than enough parts to make one complete.
Although I do like the look of the cranecar it's still a bit to much of an american logging crane for me so I have to "Europe-a-nize" it a bit. Therefore the wooden crane-arm had to go for sure because these are not very prototypal for European cranes.
The crane had also to be a bit bigger and preferable with 3 axles to give it a heavier look.

Some pictures

Taking it apart:






And re-spray it (just ordinary primer in a rattle-can from the DIY store):






The mid section in the chassis is removed with use of a Dremel (safety-glasses are not a luxury with this job!)






The third axle holder (from another old LGB car with coupler cutted off) fits in nicely. It can move from side to side a bit so sharp R1 curves are no problem.





Sideview:





Keeping it in place:






Testride on the track. As planned, no problems in the R1 curves!!!




And this is how far as I could get. Starting to build a new crane arm, using the original one as base:




Hopefully, if time permits, more pictures soon!

Paul

Grey....did not think of that, I should re-paint mine. It appears that mine is also missing the black box that goes on the back of the cab.

Great work Paul! Gives me ideas for mine. My crane I tow behind this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51032247@N00/4314904934/sizes/l/in/photostream/

It is the LGB "Christmas" truck that the previous owner re-painted. Nice, as the Christmas one is the only one with a plough. Santa has been re-painted too, now he looks like a motorcycle rider!

Spule 4 wrote:

Grey....did not think of that, I should re-paint mine. It appears that mine is also missing the black box that goes on the back of the cab.

Great work Paul! Gives me ideas for mine. My crane I tow behind this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51032247@N00/4314904934/sizes/l/in/photostream/

It is the LGB "Christmas" truck that the previous owner re-painted. Nice, as the Christmas one is the only one with a plough. Santa has been re-painted too, now he looks like a motorcycle rider!

Having just spent the weekend moving my daughter's furniture to a new apartment in Waco TX, where it was 102 DegF, i can really appreciate the snow in the photo. Looks mighty good.

Thanks.
Looking for some inspiration I've found a very nice and detailed conversion for LGB Toytrain by
Dave Ayers; see Railroad, Wreck and MOW cranes (Scroll down to bottom of page). I like his gear work and gonna try that myself.

Garret, the box on the back is the fake "counter-weight" that comes with the original car. It fits/hooks in 2 slots on the back of the crane (see example).
Since I used 2 (incomplete) cranes I've got a free spare one left over for you if you want.

Bill, I always choose 102 DegF above snow... but only if you don't have to haul furniture!

And... Mea Culpa!!!
I just realized I did not gave a warning to Laurent that I just sprayed over a yellow model in a different color again... And that after I specifically promised to warn the next time after respraying the Brekina VW Railcar
Sorry Laurent!!! I hope it was not that big of a shock... (than again, it was more orange than yellow...)

Yes, the weight. If you can spare it, let me know. Maybe I have a spare part lurking that needs to go to Holland?

I still have ideas for my little crane. Probably part of a small works or log-train.

I like the 6 wheel conversion Paul, a great idea nad you made it look/sound so easy

I did some work on the crane arm. No pic's however... Just glued strips of styrene along the arm to give it some steel truss look. Used some leftover tank wheels from a 1:35 plastic military kit as wheels for the cable.
I have to make some side skirts for the wheels form styrene.

If I only had some more time to work undisturbed...

Garrett; you've got a mail!

Patrick, it is actually pretty easy to do. The hardest part was to dare to start and put the Dremel in the beautiful LGB underside to cut the plastic out... But I'm happy I did it!