LGB Matra Crane Fabrication On LGB Flatcar

Imagination Station Kids

Imagination Station Kids On Track
Country flag
Hello again,
My foster and adopted children asked me to build a crane that was larger than the LGB 4042 and that would resemble American crane equipment.
The flatcar is an older style than we wanted but it works I guess.
I thought this was a great idea until I started looking at the cost of cranes, not to mention the cost of parts to build one which was even more expensive.
My 14 year old came up with an idea to use our LGB 4042 and simply extend it on a standard LGB 4 axle flatcar. I told him that was a fantastic idea but that would mean cutting up the current 2 axle crane we had.
We really didn't have the equipment to do this but I started envisioning how it would look in different fashions and determined that getting a few extra tools would not only help this project but could prove very useful in the future, so that is exactly what we did.
We also looked through all of our 40 boxes of parts and found many detail parts.
After disassembling the 2 axle crane, using an actual carpet knife to score the plastic and snap it, trim and even out edges, drill holes in the flatcar to mount the crane and tool box area separate with screws from underneath and add details and a more prototypical hook, the crane started looking really nice. The only problem was the fit on the flatcar wasn't straight and took a couple days to get it right and firm. The boys put parts together to form a smokestack resembling a stack that would come from a generator on one end where they wanted it in the box area but later we couldn't find a generator part that would fit in the box area where the doors are.
We included electrical plugs, stakes, venting, a strobe light, ladder, walkway grating, metal wheels, Aristocraft couplers, short extention for the boom, stacks, chains, brass handrails, flammable signs and a brake wheel. We still must find a small generator and under carriage black fuel tanks that will fit.
We think the project came out kinda nice but would be closer to perfect if the other parts get added in the future, if we can find them.
16 hours and 4 days later, this is the final result and everyone here wanted folks to see it, so here it is! Not a full custom build but unique!!
Ken M.

Imagination Station Kids On Track Model Railroad And Train Safety Program

Included is a photo of what the original looked like.
 

Attachments

  • 20250315_015125.jpg
    20250315_015125.jpg
    397.8 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015013.jpg
    20250315_015013.jpg
    366.7 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_014033.jpg
    20250315_014033.jpg
    359.7 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_014147.jpg
    20250315_014147.jpg
    312.9 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_014309.jpg
    20250315_014309.jpg
    328.7 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015229.jpg
    20250315_015229.jpg
    322.1 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015211.jpg
    20250315_015211.jpg
    349.9 KB · Views: 0
  • $_57.jpeg
    $_57.jpeg
    114.8 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015730.jpg
    20250315_015730.jpg
    344 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015648.jpg
    20250315_015648.jpg
    328.1 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_015540.jpg
    20250315_015540.jpg
    171.1 KB · Views: 0
  • 20250315_014511.jpg
    20250315_014511.jpg
    271.4 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
Did you look at the various cranes from Playmobil? These are 1/24 scale I believe and come in kits...lots of bashing parts here.
 
Back
Top