I was excited for the new MTL tie crane UP gondola set. But when I got it, I wasn't really happy with the tie crane that came with it. So I found some pics on the net and decided to make my own Jimbo tie crane. 3 different interchangeable boom positions. Crane can slide back and forth on the straddling chassis. Also comes with claws open and claws closed and a magnet. Deck details include a slew motor, Kohlar (or Buda) power plant with pump and generator on a chassis, transformer for the magnet, brake formed rear fuel and hydraulic tanks, operator seat, cab and optional cab roof mounted air conditioner. I made set of used ties to go into the gondola (shown) and also have a set of new ties not printed yet. I have bundles of used ties (shown) and bundles of new ties not printed yet. I made the tie load short to also fit Marklin's gondola car version. Final version will fill the MTL gondola and have a mark on the back to show where to trim to fit the shorter Marklin gondola car. The exhaust pipe went flying across my workshop never to be seen again. I used a piece solder to replace it. So the kit version will have a better looking exhaust pipe. Made a few tweaks in the model. But you should be able to buy the tie crane by itself or with a set of old ties or a set of new ties once I get and build the final versions.
Thanks for the upgrade, Jon. I'll be replacing the tie loads too. Let's us know when it is available. Jim
very nice . i never thought about one of these on my layout. but now i am. thank you for the great pics
So I guess it is not necessary to purchase the Micro Trains Z Scale 994 01 260 Union Pacific Tie Loader 3-Pack for use with your crane and ties, or is it? I am not going with Marklin so it would be either MTL or AZL or another gondola. But let me know if a particular pair of gondolas would be necessary to fit your crane and tie loads. Which ones are the Reading ones pictured? I do prefer AZL or the others that come with metal wheels...
This looks great! I will get one of these. I was disappointed with the MTL crane, although I did not yet see a real picture of it. Verstuurd vanaf mijn ANE-LX1 met Tapatalk
I found a pair of those MTL Reading RR Gondolas on Z Scale Hobo's site so I'll be able to use them with this crane, I really like that combo. Right now the heavily weathered cars in the MTL set would look pretty out of place with my shiny clean trains...
Hate to say it, but I'd rather go this route! Just get HED's version of this, some cheap Ebay gondolas, and make your own custom. I don't like to take business away from M-T, but I'd be easier to customize your own for your own railroad. Might have to get me one of these and some Milwaukee Road gondolas
Glad you like it everybody! Got the final versions out to shapeways a few days ago and hope to get them next week. Once I assemble them to make sure everything works, I'll have them up for sale in my Shapeways store as a kit. So probably about two weeks or so. If all works out, you will be able to buy the tie crane by itself or with a set of 3 used tie loads with several track side bundles of ties. There will also be a set with new tie loads in 3x5 bundles and several track side bundle loads. Unfortunately the kits with the loads will probably be on the pricey side because of the volume of material used. To answer a few questions about the railroad ties, it fits MTL gondolas. AZL rolling stock unfortunately is to new for my railroad. So I dont have any. I know it will be to short for the 60 ft modern gondolas. Could be cut down to fit the waffle gondolas that would fit into my railroad. But not sure about width. Worst case you might have to sand the sides a bit to fit. There is a mark on the back of the used tie load that tells you where to cut down to size to fit in the shorter Marklin USA prototype gondola cars. These are the directions I made up for the model. Some small parts but I added a lot of clearance for paint and primmer filler. So it goes together pretty easy. Just keep an eye out for the smaller parts on the parts tree when you open up the kit. Good chance they might be floating around in the bag. So be very careful when taking parts out for the first time. Also look for small parts falling out of the bag when you take the parts tree out of the shipping bubble warp bag. -Jon
Fantastic, Jon! I can't wait to get one. I have absolutely no use for it but it is so cool looking it has to be in the yard. I'm thinking a mini scene with the Behnke track laying crane as a static mini-diorama. I have already changed out the ties with my own handmade loads. The MTL crane will probably end up in the scrap yard or maintenance area. BTW. It looks like the crane rides right on the gondola edge. So the ties should not be stacked higher than that? I may have to remove a row of ties. What other colors have you seen these painted in beside yellow? Thanks for all your efforts to help us all improve our existing, less-than-prototypical, rolling stock. I have about a dozen Marklin tank cars ready to join revenue service. Jim
Dang Jon, your offerings just keep getting better and better!! This should be an easy kit even for us novices! Cool the way you made it with different boom positions, claws, and even the ties! Outstanding!! Let us know the second it's on the market, cause I'm already looking for some M-T Milwaukee Road gondolas!
A few more better shots I took this weekend. I also turned the marklin fishbelly gondola car into a straight side gondola. I think it looks a lot better. Tie crane fits on it well too.
Jon, THANKS for saving that P.O.S. injection nightmare. Its the same print type as Outland Models. Super brittle and not thermally stable (when left in the mail box on just a 60F/15C day !!! The weathered gondolas are fine, its the Crane that just says NO ! Plus, it said it was prep'd to paint so I tried a section of the supports with Tamiya paint --> NO. That rattle can Testor --> NO. Soapy water then prior paints --> NO ! I'll be watching for yours, so can get it in a perfect spot in the back of my Engine Service area. See pix (where heavyweight car is).
Thank you Jeff and glad you like it! I thought I was just going to make a new cab for it but nothing about it seemed worth saving or reworking.... Work is getting in the way of having fun with z scale stuff as there is a big conference in my industry next week. I'm also in the middle of major computer software upgrades with my business. But hopefully I'll have kits ready to sell in a few weeks.
Finally got the final tie crane kits assembled and painted. Everything works as it should! You can find links to the kits here on the Trainboard swap page: https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/jimbo-tie-crane-kits.130663/ There are 3 different kits. Each kit will come with 3 different boom configurations that are interchangeable. It also comes with two open hydraulic claws and two closed hydraulic claws that are also interchangeable. Pretty happy with how the final kits came out. No missing or loose parts but do take care when pulling out parts tree from bubble wrap for the first time. Also look for small loose parts in the bubble wrap bag. I did not really like how this yellow came out on these models. So I might sell the two models I painted in this yellow on E-bay at some point. You will be able to buy just the tie crane as a kit. You can buy the kit with 3 loads of new ties along with separate bundles of new ties. You can also buy the kit with 3 loads of used ties along with separate used tie bundles. Thanks, -Jon
