Detailing an LGB Matra crane

[pugwash]

No Minimans, the one you photographed was the prototype for this

 

[pugwash]

And again in another thread somebody made a spelling mistook and said they had a Manta crane

 

[steve parberry]

Ah yes 1-1 set track coming to a railway near you!!
In response to the grant rail crane!

 

[Philbahn]

Come on Mel get some morework done on it. I'm waiting to go further with mine.:admire:

 

[Gizzy]

Come on Mel get some morework done on it. I'm waiting to go further with mine.:admire:

You'll have to wait until after this weekend Phil?

Mel's gone to visit his daughter in the big smokey city, so I guess he'll come back home looking a little weathered himself....

 

[yb281]

Come on Mel get some morework done on it. I'm waiting to go further with mine.:admire:

You'll have to wait until after this weekend Phil?

Mel's gone to visit his daughter in the big smokey city, so I guess he'll come back home looking a little weathered himself....

Not THAT big a smokey city Giz, only Southampton. Still big enough for a country boy loik me though .


Back home tomorrow night Phil. Got a bit of a busy start to the week, MIL's having a wet-room done ala Nodog, but I'll see if I can get the old airbrush fired up sometime. Still drooling over that wagon of yours with the Hi-Ab on the back BTW :admire:.

 

[Gizzy]

Mel's gone to visit his daughter in the big smokey city, so I guess he'll come back home looking a little weathered himself....

Not THAT big a smokey city Giz, only Southampton. Still big enough for a country boy loik me though .


Back home tomorrow night Phil. Got a bit of a busy start to the week, MIL's having a wet-room done ala Nodog, but I'll see if I can get the old airbrush fired up sometime. Still drooling over that wagon of yours with the Hi-Ab on the back BTW :admire:.

Southampton counts as a big smokey city Mel;

something to do with those ships' funnels....

 

[pugwash]

You'll have to wait until after this weekend Phil?
Mel's gone to visit his daughter in the big smokey city, so I guess he'll come back home looking a little weathered himself....

Gives time for the paint to dry on all of ours

 

[pugwash]

Mel, I see the sense of the tool truck you bought but a crane usually has a (short flat) match truck otherwise its working radius would be seriously limited. Not that I'm suggesting you spend more money and come up with another wonderfully detailed wagon, oh no.
Here is my admittedly pathetic effort which obviously needs colouring in:

and while we're here, my MOW train which is a 'tribute train' to one you did some while back:

So now you see why I'm interested in an airbrush and your techniques!

 

[yb281]

Mel, I see the sense of the tool truck you bought but a crane usually has a (short flat) match truck otherwise its working radius would be seriously limited. Not that I'm suggesting you spend more money and come up with another wonderfully detailed wagon, oh no.
Here is my admittedly pathetic effort which obviously needs colouring in:
and while we're here, my MOW train which is a 'tribute train' to one you did some while back:
So now you see why I'm interested in an airbrush and your techniques!

Cheers Ian. Nice models.

I have been in discussion with Gizzy about the possibilty of adding a match truck. The problem I've got is the limited length of my sidings at the moment (soon to be put right with a bit of luck).

I thought that match trucks were usually added to cranes to cope with the over-hang of the jib? Have I got that wrong?

 

[pugwash]

Worked both ways, one for the jib and for the big boys one behind for the counterweight (and the kettle) to stop the crane bumping into things like locos, wagons, people, the usual roadside junk. Imagine that in front of and behind the crane were box vans, the working radius of the crane would be severely hampered, put a flat car there and it can practically spin 360°. See on mine there should be one in front of the crane to stop it whacking the loco but I have the same length problem ( ) and for some reason if I put the match truck in front it uncouples from the crane. So, good ol' rule 8 strikes again.
I seem to remember on an old Hornby OO crane I had the match truck had a support for the jib whereas on the Matra it is supported by the tool chests, so probably LGB rule 8 too.
I was actually going to sell my crane train 'til you started this! :crying:
So come on, what's next?

 

[Steve]

Ian is this the one you refer to

 

[pugwash]

Ian is this the one you refer to

No, it was smaller and more simple (bit like me) and probably older too. Google time I reckon
Come to think of it, this is so long ago it was probably Tri-ang.
Ah, it was this one but mine had a match truck so possibly someone else added that. Nearly all my OO was 'pre-owned'. Come to think of it, so is my G.

 

[Gizzy]

Mel, I see the sense of the tool truck you bought but a crane usually has a (short flat) match truck otherwise its working radius would be seriously limited. Not that I'm suggesting you spend more money and come up with another wonderfully detailed wagon, oh no.
Here is my admittedly pathetic effort which obviously needs colouring in:
and while we're here, my MOW train which is a 'tribute train' to one you did some while back:
So now you see why I'm interested in an airbrush and your techniques!

Cheers Ian. Nice models.

I have been in discussion with Gizzy about the possibilty of adding a match truck. The problem I've got is the limited length of my sidings at the moment (soon to be put right with a bit of luck).

I thought that match trucks were usually added to cranes to cope with the over-hang of the jib? Have I got that wrong?

That, and also to take the extra weight I believe, which is the reason most rail cranes have several axles.

Modern cranes like the Kirow currently working on Notwork Rail (see Ed's post #20 of this 8 axle vehicle), have an integral counterweight at the rear which can be moved out hydraulically further from the pivot to counter the load being lifted.

I now use a yellow stake wagon as a match truck for my Matra Crane, following the purchase of a similar black vehicle on this forum, but I was at one point considering using a shortie HLW flat wagon to do the same job, but I've yet to find a yellow that matches the LGB colour.

I also have 3 yellow DR/DB 3 plank wagons and a yellow Kof Diesel (with flashing lights) as part of my maintenance consist. Zmate would be proud of me....

 

[yb281]

OK Ian, gotcha now. I've got the big version of the Tri-ang crane somewhere in da loft. Now I come to think of it, I detailed that one too.

What comes next? Well the tool van has been rubbed down and is about to get a coat of primer. Next job on the crane (hopefully this week) is to detail the control panel. Then it'll be back to painting the tool van, before both the van and crane get weathered. Weathering both at the same time not only saves time, but means they should have a similar appearance.

Think I might need to get a new can of propellent.

 

[Gizzy]

Think I might need to get a new can of propellent.

It's going to be a self propellent crane? :thinking:

 

[pugwash]

Ah, sweet memories.
Yellow, yellow, yellow....you've started it now, Gizzy. Mind you this could be the colour match you were after

 

[Chris]

The british version of the self contained crane looks like this, no match wagon as everything contained within the length of the wagon. Tools vans are used to carry packing for the out riggers, oil and spare parts and the lifting tackle (slings, shackles, different hooks).

 

[Gizzy]

Ah, sweet memories.
Yellow, yellow, yellow....you've started it now, Gizzy. Mind you this could be the colour match you were after

If only it came in a tin Puggy!

Hang on, it does?

Looking for an aerosol match if anyone can help please....

 

[pugwash]

That's done it, it's going to take Mel ages to super-detail, paint and mark up the Matra to look like that!
Mel, how much for the tool box truck you no longer need?