Questions about Cranes

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diburning

diburning

AlcoHaulic
I just bought my first crane and I have a few questions about their prototypical use.

I bought a Walthers American Crane for Norfolk Southern. (HO, non-powered)

In modern practice, are cranes hooked up to flat cars or gondolas to rest the hook/boom on or at least use as a spacer for the boom? Does Norfolk Southern prototypically do one or the other?

My second question is, is the Walthers American Crane easy to build?
 
The hardest part about putting a crane together is getting all the lifting strings lined up & in the correct pulleys. I've built 6.
 
I would guess, not really having built one (to be honest) that the Tichy kit is going to be the most challenging, but I did build the Athearn kit and it was not difficult. I agree with Larry, it takes some learning to deal effectively with the darning thread they provide for the cables, and you have to follow the directions for routing carefully.

If I were to urge you to work out a fix as you build, it would be with the spools for the various cables. In the Athearn kit, they provide next-to-useless bent blade metal tab springs that are meant to provide friction on the ends of the spools, but mine didn't come close. So, keeping the boom at a certain height, and arranging the hooks is a pain where the sun don't shine. They each depend on the cable thread being tight and offering support. Instead, the spools spin as the light weights of those plastic devices bear down under gravity.

Crandell
 


Judging by the photos I Googled up, NS prefers flatcars.

BTW, some roads no longer have their own cranes. Instead, they prefer to call in one of the companies that specialize in railroad construction work and wreck handling.
 
Selector said:
I would guess, not really having built one (to be honest) that the Tichy kit is going to be the most challenging, but I did build the Athearn kit and it was not difficult. I agree with Larry, it takes some learning to deal effectively with the darning thread they provide for the cables, and you have to follow the directions for routing carefully.



Crandell
Click to expand...

I found the Tichy kit more so about putting a lot of parts together than challenging because all the parts all fit together so perfectly and snug. I didn't have to clean out any holes, trim, or force fit anything. I'd love to build another one!
 
I worked with a crane before and it used a flatcar at the end of the day. When it was being stored overnight it had to be tied down and the corners jacked up tight against the frame to keep it from swiveling out onto the main track.
When working we pulled one or two gondolas loading scrap steel along the line with a magnet and had to keep track of what length of rail was being loaded as well as the weight per yard in order to not overload the cars.
Funny, I still haven't scanned the photos all this time, maybe a god evening project this week?
As for the Walthers crane, rigging the lines and adding the stirrups were challenging but doable.
 
diburning said:
I just bought my first crane and I have a few questions about their prototypical use.

I bought a Walthers American Crane for Norfolk Southern. (HO, non-powered)

In modern practice, are cranes hooked up to flat cars or gondolas to rest the hook/boom on or at least use as a spacer for the boom? Does Norfolk Southern prototypically do one or the other?

My second question is, is the Walthers American Crane easy to build?
Click to expand...

Usually accompanied by a boom/equipment car made from flatcars, but sometimes gondolas or other rebuilt cars. Whatever is used will often be specifically modified or outfitted for use with for use with the crane or hoist, or if it's lifting or laying ties/rails/etc. it may just accompany

Some examples:
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=ac10211_2&o=ac
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=ac10215_3&o=ac
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=bcol6401&o=bcol
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn50442&o=cn
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn50483&o=cn
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp414212&o=cprail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp414214&o=cprail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cr31188&o=conrail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=hbry50004&o=hbry
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=hbry58116&o=hbry
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?o=rlk&i=rlk300002_5
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cv4313&o=cv
 
It looks like the new Walther's cranes (that I posted previously) can have a decoder in it for DCC operation. Anybody know which decoder works for these?
 
cv_acr said:
Usually accompanied by a boom/equipment car made from flatcars, but sometimes gondolas or other rebuilt cars. Whatever is used will often be specifically modified or outfitted for use with for use with the crane or hoist, or if it's lifting or laying ties/rails/etc. it may just accompany

Some examples:
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=ac10211_2&o=ac
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=ac10215_3&o=ac
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=bcol6401&o=bcol
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn50442&o=cn
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cn50483&o=cn
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp414212&o=cprail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp414214&o=cprail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cr31188&o=conrail
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=hbry50004&o=hbry
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=hbry58116&o=hbry
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?o=rlk&i=rlk300002_5
http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cv4313&o=cv
Click to expand...

Very useful images, thank you.
 


Motley said:
I just read on page 2 of the Walthers flyer they are releasing new operating cranes. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-41951
Click to expand...

They all operate. Walthers released the powered (motorized, self-propelled) cranes in the past. They have really evil gearing. The new run is a re-release. They didn't do one for NS. (Mine is from one of the older runs)

There IS room in the cab for an N or Z scale decoder, but there aren't any lights or lenses for lights on the crane.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
zoegraf said:
I found the Tichy kit more so about putting a lot of parts together than challenging because all the parts all fit together so perfectly and snug. I didn't have to clean out any holes, trim, or force fit anything. I'd love to build another one!
Click to expand...

Did you ever build the Boom Car from Tichy (4022) that goes with this crane? This model looks great Zoegraf. The canvas drape you added is a nice touch too. All you need now is some CN decals for it. I have been eyeing this crane for awhile now and after seeing how yours turned out, I think I might place my order.

View attachment 23154
 
NWCanuck said:
Did you ever build the Boom Car from Tichy (4022) that goes with this crane? This model looks great Zoegraf. The canvas drape you added is a nice touch too. All you need now is some CN decals for it. I have been eyeing this crane for awhile now and after seeing how yours turned out, I think I might place my order.

View attachment 23154
Click to expand...

Thanks!
I can't recall why I didn't get the boom car, probably didn't think it would be prototypical or the hobby shop just didn't have it.
I use this flat car as a stand in for now. A friend of mine made it out of a Athearn flat car and I added the boards.
Did CN have that type of crane? And what type of decals should I put on it?
My kit was a Gould Company Kit, which came in black plastic. Bill Gould and his employee were master craftsmen. I learned that their moulds were cut from oversized patterns using a pantograph.
I have a layout that depicts 1956 and am starting a new one that depicts 1974. I'm tempted to get another crane; this way I'll have one from both eras. I'll use the one I have now to represent one restored by a historical society for my 1974 layout.
 
A helpful hint: When using thread on building a crane, first melt some (canning) paraffin in a pan sitting in boiling water. Drop your spool of cotton thread into it and let it soak-up the paraffin. Now it is easier to run through and to pulleys, etc. Also, it will smooth out straight and stay that way when you have a very light hook or bucket on the end. ;) :)
 
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