Arnold Rapido Crane

[keeper]

Hello,

I have one of these Arnold cranes http://www.modellbahn-spur-n.de/mgdetail.php?nr=12502 and I thought about converting it to this one: http://www.missabe.com/cms/gallery/v/Prototype/non-revenue-equipment/wx7.html.

I think it is a good starting point but I'm not sure about the boom car, is it a 50' flat car or maybe shorter?
What do you think?

Thomas

[Brakie]

Thomas,By looking at a 50' flat car and comparing the photos I'm pretty confident the boom car is a 50 footer.

[Dave Schneider]

Now that is a good looking crane! My mom was from the Iron Range so I have always had some interest in the DM&IR. The Arrowhead paint scheme was really classy, and is well executed on the crane. I look forward to seeing some photos of the project.

Best wishes, Dave

[Ian MacMillan]

My mother was from the Iron Range product destination (Duluth) so I took have a small spot for the DM&IR.

I'd actually start with the Bachmann Crane & Boom car. Its closer to the Missabe one pictured ang they run about $15 online.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-N-46611-Operating-Crane-and-Boom-Car-UP-p/bac-46611.htm

[keeper]

Yes, the Bachmann crane is closer to the original, but MB Klein wants $34 for shipping to Germany. 
I would get it here in Germany for 26 EURO ($34) - this is crazy, isn't it - and mine is collecting dust, so I thought to convert it.

This is my crane now (minus the boom car, which is a two axle flat car).



I really like Duluth. We once stayed there in a hotel directly at the bridge, wonderful!
And yes, I like the DM&IR and the LS&I, my favorite railroads amongst some others...

Thomas

[Bob Bufkin]

Since we are on this subject, how have you changed out those old Rapido couplers?  Which ones are you all using?

[Ian MacMillan]

Yes, the Bachmann crane is closer to the original, but MB Klein wants $34 for shipping to Germany. 

Oops, sorry Tom, didn't know you were in Germany.

[keeper]

Oops, sorry Tom, didn't know you were in Germany.

Sure, no problem. 

[jnevis]

Since we are on this subject, how have you changed out those old Rapido couplers?  Which ones are you all using?

I use MT 1015s on mine.  I didn't attempt to modify much and it runs fairly well.

[PGE-N°2]

Just for reference, the Arnold crane is billed as a 75-Ton Crane: a fairly 'light' crane all things being equal.

The Bachmann crane compares with a listed capacity of 250-Tons: very much closer to the Industrial Brownhoist type of heavy lifter many well known railroads relied on.

[Nato]

                      Along time ago I posted here photos of various era Union Pacific Wrecking Derricks  some usuing the Rapido Crane (look in old post archives). The Micro Trains (MT) "Buckeye Trucks" should work as  they are the same type of truck under the Rapido Crane. I agree if you want body mount couplers than use MT 1015 couplers. Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.

[keeper]

Just for reference, the Arnold crane is billed as a 75-Ton Crane: a fairly 'light' crane all things being equal.

The Bachmann crane compares with a listed capacity of 250-Tons: very much closer to the Industrial Brownhoist type of heavy lifter many well known railroads relied on.

Maybe it's because the Arnold crane was advertised as steam crane... 

[Mike C]

OK lets see if I can post a pic.....Mike
 Bachmann crane with boom modified to lower further, and body lowered to the frame.

[peteski]

Yes, the Bachmann crane is closer to the original, but MB Klein wants $34 for shipping to Germany. 
I would get it here in Germany for 26 EURO ($34) - this is crazy, isn't it - and mine is collecting dust, so I thought to convert it.

Thomas

Thomas,
I'm in US. I suppose that I could buy it for you then ship it to your address but I suspect that the shipping from MBK to my house then from me to you would probably be close to $34 anyways.   Think about it though: with the current Euro-to-US$ exchange rate, even with $34 shipping you are getting a heck of a deal!

I remember when Euro was first introduced and at that time 1 Euro was worth about $0.50US!  The exchange rate was very favorable to Americans. It was at that time I bought lots of European prototype N scale models (Fleishchmann, Aronold, Minitrix, etc.) from German online retailers for extremely low price!  Those were the days!  Not anymore....

[keeper]

@ Mike: The lowered crane looks good.

@ peteski: Thanks for your offer. So what would MBK charge you, about $7? You would have to pay maybe $15? So that would be $12 less for shipping. Hmmm....

But I couldn't resist and already started working on my crane. I cut off the buffers from the body and the couplers from the trucks. There is now enough space for body mounting MTL couplers. But I'm not sure if I should use the 1015 or 1016 coupler.

Thomas