spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I have been thinking about this. I am hoping just the one driven axle will be sufficient as I'm not great at the engineering side of things! Maybe some sort of hidden chain-drive would be easier to install.
Mike
Crane Locomotives
- Thread starter spikey faz
- Start date
Mike
Giles
Western Thunderer
This looks decidedly standard gauge to me - so you've got about 28mm between flanges which is loads of room! I would have thought the easiest is to have your primary drive to one side, and then opposed bevel gears, a bit like.... (this is EM with a 3v gearmotor - the primary drive can be whatever....)
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
In theory this would probably work, but the pulley size is bigger than the wheels I intend using. But definitely something I may come back to on future projects. It would be handy if they indicated the length of the belt to give an idea of suitability.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
If I could introduce a small element of vertical movement in one axle (compensation for my iffy track) without the gears going out of mesh, then this is a good possibility.
I'd be interested to know where you sourced the motor and gears.
Thanks
Mike
Giles
Western Thunderer
1:1 Precision Bevel Gear 0.4M 12T 1MM Transmission Right Angle Rotation Gear - AliExpress 13
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Mini Bevel Gear 1:1 0.4M 20T 2/3mm 90 Degree Angle Equal Conical Spur Gears 20 Teeth Copper Precision
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Micro Planetary Gear Motor 6mm DC 3V 120RPM 1-4 Stage Coreless Gearbox DIY | eBay UK
Output speed: 6420±120RPM. Output speed: 1200±120RPM. Output speed: 242±120RPM. Most are installed on stepper motors and se rvo motors to reduce RPM, increase torque and match inertia. Project Type: Geared Motor.
www.ebay.co.uk
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Thank you Giles.1:1 Precision Bevel Gear 0.4M 12T 1MM Transmission Right Angle Rotation Gear - AliExpress 13
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Mini Bevel Gear 1:1 0.4M 20T 2/3mm 90 Degree Angle Equal Conical Spur Gears 20 Teeth Copper Precision
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Micro Planetary Gear Motor 6mm DC 3V 120RPM 1-4 Stage Coreless Gearbox DIY | eBay UK
Output speed: 6420±120RPM. Output speed: 1200±120RPM. Output speed: 242±120RPM. Most are installed on stepper motors and se rvo motors to reduce RPM, increase torque and match inertia. Project Type: Geared Motor.www.ebay.co.uk
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
A few more parts added. The control lever/pedal assembly was particularly fiddly to solder up!
The roof assembly just plugs into the boiler.
Another High Level motor/gearbox. I've ordered some smaller wheels as I think it might look a bit better.
Mike
The roof assembly just plugs into the boiler.
Another High Level motor/gearbox. I've ordered some smaller wheels as I think it might look a bit better.
Mike
I'm enjoying this build! This might be of interest. This crane is preserved at the Prestongrange mining museum in East Lothian. In the mid 80s, when this photo wastaken, it was still operational, gently pottering around the site on open days. Note the regulator, high up infront of the boiler with the long curved handle dropping down.
Best regards from Stockholm, George!
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Cheers George!
I'm probably going to add some sheeting to my model to box the rear half in. Partly to provide some weather protection to the crane crew, but mainly to hide my dubious modelling!
I'm intrigued by the East Lothian prototype you've referred to as it appears to have double-flanged wheels! I would guess it would run into a spot of bother in negotiating any form of pointwork!
I had initially planned to model my crane chassis as per your picture with the wheels outside of the chassis frames. But, I need to hide the motor and pickups, so mine will be gaining outside frames.
All the best
Mike
Hi Mike
I think that the photo might be a bit misleading! The Prestonpans crane does infact run on a regular outside framed 4 wheel chassis as in yours and Giles' models. The double flanged wheels are slightly smaller than the regular wheels and are mounted on extended axles. I would speculate that in areas the crane is used alot there will be an additional set of rails, slightly raised, outside the 4'8½" to provide a wider and more stable base. As I say speculation, I've never seen either a description or photos of such an operation.
Best regards from Sweden, George!
I think that the photo might be a bit misleading! The Prestonpans crane does infact run on a regular outside framed 4 wheel chassis as in yours and Giles' models. The double flanged wheels are slightly smaller than the regular wheels and are mounted on extended axles. I would speculate that in areas the crane is used alot there will be an additional set of rails, slightly raised, outside the 4'8½" to provide a wider and more stable base. As I say speculation, I've never seen either a description or photos of such an operation.
Best regards from Sweden, George!
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
An yes! I've looked more closely at your picture and I can now see the other set of wheels. Makes sense now.
Mike
Mike
PhilH
Western Thunderer
This photo of the Whitaker Bros. crane taken at Lady Victoria Colliery (now the site of the Prestongrange Museum) in 1972 shows the rail wheels a bit more clearly, also the rather slack driving chain !
Another view showing the jib
Grafton crane at Blaenavon in 1970 - note brakewheel
Another Grafton at Polkemmet Colliery in 1979 - with shed
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Brilliant!
The last picture of the corrugated iron clad crane is particularly inspirational. I may have to track down some 7mm/1ft corrugated iron.Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I've built up the base/pivot for the crane and added the buffer beams.
Smaller wheels arrived yesterday and fitted.
Next stage will be to cut out and add the outer mainframes.
Mike
Smaller wheels arrived yesterday and fitted.
Next stage will be to cut out and add the outer mainframes.
Mike
Last edited:
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Mainframes now in place. They rather conveniently hide the pickups that I've temporarily blue-tacked in place.
It all runs well, especially considering it's only 2 wheel drive. Both axles are free to move up and down independently of each other and this definitely aids pick up and running.
Top speed is snails pace!
Mike
It all runs well, especially considering it's only 2 wheel drive. Both axles are free to move up and down independently of each other and this definitely aids pick up and running.
Top speed is snails pace!
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
After my initial success at achieving a functioning chassis, I found it was slightly light on its feet. This meant it was derailing occasionally. Considering the wheels are intended for 16.5mm gauge track I wasn't too surprised. Experimenting with some temporary weights improved matters, so I set about adding some lead. Lots of it!
All seemed fine but then it started derailing again, but on just one turnout. I tried adding more weight inside the boiler, but this just unbalanced the whole thing. After some head-scratching I finally realised that the wheels had shifted inwards slightly on both axles!
Once I'd regauged them it runs great. Just as well as I was prepared to get more radical with additional weight...
Mike
All seemed fine but then it started derailing again, but on just one turnout. I tried adding more weight inside the boiler, but this just unbalanced the whole thing. After some head-scratching I finally realised that the wheels had shifted inwards slightly on both axles!
Once I'd regauged them it runs great. Just as well as I was prepared to get more radical with additional weight...Mike