Lets see your Command Crane scenes

 I just purchased one too.

I have one I'm going to be setting up a Transformer pick  on my layout soon.

Like taking a delivery of a new Transformer. 

Good luck, John 

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

Looking at the layout I just came up with a really good idea for my crane car! 

When the boss's deuce got a flat, the crew got busy in a big way.

Bruce

How close to scale dimensions are these?

Not a permanent scene, but a vignette I set up for a few photos.

Tom 

Richard Gonzales posted:

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

 

 

Richard,

I had the same problem with my crane hitting the Z1000 machines.  A couple of quick modifications solved the problem.  First, I bent the spring 90 degrees, even with the top of the housing.  Then I removed the screw closest to the rail and CAREFULLY countersunk the hole.  I replaced the pan head screw with a like size flat head screw that sits flush with the top of the housing.  ALL low hanging cars and locomotives now clear the switch machines without any problems.

Tom

Here's a few pics of my  SP derick crane re-railing  tank car,  Enjoy.

Tom Densel posted:

Richard Gonzales posted:

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

 

 

Richard,

I had the same problem with my crane hitting the Z1000 machines.  A couple of quick modifications solved the problem.  First, I bent the spring 90 degrees, even with the top of the housing.  Then I removed the screw closest to the rail and CAREFULLY countersunk the hole.  I replaced the pan head screw with a like size flat head screw that sits flush with the top of the housing.  ALL low hanging cars and locomotives now clear the switch machines without any problems.

Tom

Tom,

Two questions:

1 how did you bend the spring?

2. Where did you get the correct fitting flat head screws?

 Thanks,

Richard

At the 6:30 mark in this video, a work crew deals with a washout requiring a crane/boom car to provide an essential role.

Woodshire Bill posted:

At the 6:30 mark in this video, a work crew deals with a washout requiring a crane/boom car to provide an essential role.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, love the outdoor natural scenes...have you more videos?

Richard Gonzales posted:

Tom Densel posted:

Richard Gonzales posted:

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

 

 

Richard,

I had the same problem with my crane hitting the Z1000 machines.  A couple of quick modifications solved the problem.  First, I bent the spring 90 degrees, even with the top of the housing.  Then I removed the screw closest to the rail and CAREFULLY countersunk the hole.  I replaced the pan head screw with a like size flat head screw that sits flush with the top of the housing.  ALL low hanging cars and locomotives now clear the switch machines without any problems.

Tom

Tom,

Two questions:

1 how did you bend the spring?  I removed the spring from the motor and throw bar and used a pair of needle nose pliers to bend it.  I just eyeballed the location of the bend.

2. Where did you get the correct fitting flat head screws?  The screws are 1/2" x#4 flat head wood screws I picked up at the local hardware.  The key is to countersink the motor housing so that the screw sets flush when tightened.  As the plastic is fairly thin, great care must be taken so you don't make the hole too large.

 Thanks,

Richard

Woodshire Bill, really enjoyed the trip on the Zephyr.  Your outdoor layout is truly amazing and you video quality is top notch.

Hudson heading to the virtual and real repair shop. 

Pete

I was considering adding a crane to my temporary Christmas layout which has a lot of operating accessories.  I was considering using something like the toy crane linked here: http://www.toysrus.com/product...mp;parentPage=search

If I was going to stay within the realm of Lionel/MTH, what would be my options for a crane (any type, on rails or not) that a kid could operate by pressing buttons?

Thanks

Everyone in our club owns one. Shot this video several years ago. 

https://youtu.be/Q6QctPxC0To

One humorous aspect of these boom/crane cars relates to the sequencing of the movement with the audio.  The operator is always taking action before the supervisor gives the orders.  It reminds me of the stories my uncle used to tell me when he was a steam shovel operator during the 1950s.  In the winter it was so cold and on sweltering days in summer it was so hot that the supervisor would disappear for long periods at a time.  When he would finally show up, he would always commend my uncle on the "good job" he had done.  That's a good way for a boss to inoculate himself from his own prodigal ways.   

This same uncle always gave me a nice accessory for my Lionel train set at Christmas.  Until one year he gave me a model airplane with an operating engine and the world started to change.   My last Christmas with him, he gave me a Pickett slide rule and an engineering drafting kit.  It would be 41 years before I would own another train.  I always think of him when I run trains or lower the boom.   

I've had several inquiries as to whether there are any more videos of the outdoor railroad.  Actually I have a Vimeo hosted website that has many more videos and photos of the Woodshire RR as well as videos of other model layouts from around the country, and some movies of real trains: 

http://www.railsforfun.com

PALALLIN,

In answer to your question about scale dimensions, I have heard and read of many two rail operators changing these over to two rail because of the scale correctness and operating/details.  Naturally, they can always be detailed more, along with weathering.  I have seen pics of some that are very outstanding when weathered and more detailed.  I enjoy mine and it works in great on my layout used in concert with the MTH "Amarillo" derrick and my U.P. / Santa Fe work trains.  In my younger days I operated many type of cranes, lift cranes, hydraulic, conventional, tower, gantry, etc. up to 300 ton capacity.  Just never had opportunity to work any on the rail road, that would have been great to do.  A lot different from construction, petro-chemical plant maintenance and on rigs in the oil field.

Jesse     TCA

Thanks for that answer!  Details don't concern me as much as size/proportions.

Richard Gonzales posted:

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

 

 

Yep, same issue here. That is the only downside to this car. I like the ideas on this thread about setting up a permanent side track to stage a good scene for the crane car. 

Tom Densel posted:

Richard Gonzales posted:

Tom Densel posted:

Richard Gonzales posted:

I guess I need to set up a scene with my NYC TMCC crane car. I discovered to my dismay last year that the TMCC crane car's  low center portion of the frame hits the spring on the Z1000 switch machine.

With 50+ Z1000 switch machines on the layout the TMCC crane sits unused in my MOW yard

Richard

 

 

Richard,

I had the same problem with my crane hitting the Z1000 machines.  A couple of quick modifications solved the problem.  First, I bent the spring 90 degrees, even with the top of the housing.  Then I removed the screw closest to the rail and CAREFULLY countersunk the hole.  I replaced the pan head screw with a like size flat head screw that sits flush with the top of the housing.  ALL low hanging cars and locomotives now clear the switch machines without any problems.

Tom

Tom,

Two questions:

1 how did you bend the spring?  I removed the spring from the motor and throw bar and used a pair of needle nose pliers to bend it.  I just eyeballed the location of the bend.

2. Where did you get the correct fitting flat head screws?  The screws are 1/2" x#4 flat head wood screws I picked up at the local hardware.  The key is to countersink the motor housing so that the screw sets flush when tightened.  As the plastic is fairly thin, great care must be taken so you don't make the hole too large.

 Thanks,

Richard

 Thanks for the tips Tom!!

Thanks Tom!

I guess it would be too much to ask the folks at Z Stuff to provide the screws and the modified springs.

The Lionel S2 Electrics have the same problem with the Z1000 switch machines.

Richard.