Crane Locomotives

spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
Beauty is of course in the eyes of the beholder! ;)

Seriously though it is not a pretty loco, but I don't care! :) I seem to be drawn to these sorts of mechanical underdogs. Anyway it's just a possibility at the moment. I need to try and work out dimensions for wheels and valve gear to see if it's feasible. At least I won't be butchering a ready-to-run model for this project.

Mike
 
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Richard Gawler

Richard Gawler

Western Thunderer
A mate has suggested my own model crane tank now needs a crew to finish it off. I don't suppose we have any clues as to what they might have been in the 1890s or 1900s?

Thinking about the loco working on a private siding within a foundry, I can imagine a driver/fireman and a crane operator, or a driver/crane operater and a fireman, or simply one operator on the loco while a second man assessed and approved the lift.

I don't want to ask a question where there is no definitive answer so I suppose really I want to know is whether to put one or two figures on the footplate.
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
In John Woodhams' recent book on Crane Locomotives there is mention of a proposed crane locomotive based on the Adams B4. Apparently orders for three such engines were placed, but subsequently cancelled. Hmm, Dapol have released their O-scale B4. I think you can guess where this is headed! :eek:

So, after having my model converted to Scaleseven (thanks Col for carrying this out so quickly :thumbs:) I began the task of dismantling/conversion.

Just to remind myself what the Dapol model looked like before deconstruction.
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And now some deconstruction pics!
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Mike
 
Richard Gawler

Richard Gawler

Western Thunderer
Please Mike, while the model is in bits, could you post a pic of the underneath of the footplate casting?

I have had an idea - build a scale chassis for a B4; and use the Dapol monoblock under a tram.
 
34091 Weymouth

34091 Weymouth

Western Thunderer
spikey faz said:
Next up is a Doxford Crane Tank. Based on plans the proprietor of Backwoods Miniatures kindly provided me with. The valve-gear almost defeated me and even now is a somewhat simplified version of the real thing.
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Mike
Click to expand...

That Mike is a absolute beauty, a real interesting loco & I believe most if not all of them are preserved to some extent.

I wish someone would do another kit for one of these. I've absolutely no use for one whatsoever but I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Si
 
adrian

adrian

Flying Squad
spikey faz said:
In John Woodhams' recent book on Crane Locomotives there is mention of a proposed crane locomotive based on the Adams B4. Apparently orders for three such engines were placed, but subsequently cancelled. Hmm, Dapol have released their O-scale B4. I think you can guess where this is headed! :eek:
Click to expand...
This is what I love about this forum. :thumbs: People are prepared to take a perfectly good RTR model out of the box and elevate it to something unexpected. I wonder if they ran a sweepstake at Dapol as to how long it would be before someone decided to have a go at kitbashing the B4 in such a way. Love to see this develop.
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
34091 Weymouth said:
That Mike is a absolute beauty, a real interesting loco & I believe most if not all of them are preserved to some extent.

I wish someone would do another kit for one of these. I've absolutely no use for one whatsoever but I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Si
Click to expand...
I really struggled with the valve gear on my model (which of course is scratchbuilt to 7mm/1ft). If you ever manage to track down the Backwoods Miniatures kit, I'd love to see how you get on with that valve gear in 4mm/1ft! ;) Anyone up for making a 2mm/1ft version?

Mike
 
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34091 Weymouth

34091 Weymouth

Western Thunderer
spikey faz said:
I really struggled with the valve gear on my model (which of course is scratchbuilt to 7mm/1ft). If you ever manage to track down the Backwoods Miniatures kit, I'd love to see how you get on with that valve gear in 4mm/1ft! ;) Anyone up for making a 2mm/1ft version?

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike I had a Backwoods kit buts it's actually HO scale apparently. I never got round to building it as a friend wanted one & I was put off by the scale difference.

The Backwoods kit had simplified valvegear from what a remember. Its a shame that range didn't see the light of day again.
When I spoke to Pete some years ago he said the range was going to be sold to someone awaiting a payment from a insurance company. I guess that never materialised before he moved to Spain.

Si
 
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