Large Scale Central

A Freelance Crane

General Discussion
#1

Cranes are such a big item in the world of railroad, most everything was big and heavy.
Many shortline RR needed something to lift the heavy things, so most of them just grabbed a couple guys and said this is what we need, can you build it for us.
In my buisness I am the go to guy, so I design and build things that others can’t.
So I do this in the hobby, I design and build what is not on the market.
I love a variety of cranes, because there were so many different types of cranes, I designed on that will work for the ground as well as a flat car.
I cut this out of acrylic glued it together, painted with rattle can paint.
The drums to raise and lower the boom and the tongs turn so different positions are capable
for different positions. The base rotates, to position for different jobs.

Boom Down

Swivel base, extra rollers on the boom side

Bolts to bolt to either the concrete on the ground or a flat car

Cable drums, they work to move the boom up and down

also to move the tongs

Top of post where the two pulleys are located

Now comes mounting it to a flat car

Dennis

#2

There it is. That looks great as I expected.

#3

Looks great. The other thread should be deleted.

#4

That is a cool looking crane, good job.

I have 2 from USAT and one from LGB in my collection. It is a shame that no one makes a 250 tonner for G. I have been thinking about building one for years but I need my ability to catch up with my imagination. LOL

Your crane would be right at home on a loading dock or flat car. Cool.

#5

I was thinking a loading dock myself or a saw mill or… it has a great feel that could go in a lot of places.

#6

I appreciate your compliments

Dennis

#7

Joe Zullo said:

Looks great. The other thread should be deleted.

What other thread ?

Either way nice work as always Mr. Rayon !

#8

Looks good!

#9

Great looking crane, Dennis. The weathering really brings it to life. Did I read correctly that you cut it out of acrylic? What did you use to cut it with?

#10

David Russell said:

Joe Zullo said:

Looks great. The other thread should be deleted.

What other thread ?

Either way nice work as always Mr. Rayon !

This one…http://largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25271/a-freelance-crane

#11

Thanks for the compliments

It is cut with a laser

and yes I wished they would delete the other post, I have no idea how that happened, I tried, could not figure it out

Thanks

Dennis

#12

Nice job. I like that turntable. Mount that on some kind of traveling rig and put a set of rails on your flat car. Then you can move the crane back and forth on the flat car. (Just an idea, of course.)

#13

Building on John’s idea, how about incorporating a small steam donkey like the BM one onto a compact platform and having it “run” the crane. Then put the platform on rails, on a flat car and use it like a Barnhart loader…lots of possibilities

Jerry

#14

John and Jerry those are great ideas, that is the neat thing about these forums how they breed ideas

Thanks

Dennis