Detailing an LGB Matra crane

[yb281]

I recently bought an LGB Matra crane from IanS. It was part of the collection from Ian's mate in Cyprus who is sadly no longer with us.

It's a really nice (working) model, but there were a couple of parts of the model that I thought looked a bit toy like. Also, those opening lockers were just crying to be kitted out ..........

 

[yb281]

......... so I started with the lockers. The interiors were painted light grey. I made fittings and shelves from scrap pieces of stripwood, coffee stirrers and garden wire.

This side has rope slings (garden string), chains (Back2Bay6), a box of shackles (kindly made by Fred - Dragon), a spare churn of fuel and a tool box (both from Perfect World Scenics).

On the other side we have hand tools (Perfect World), another crate of tools (Fred), cans of oil and hydraulic fluid (Back2Bay6), and chocks & blocks cut from stripwood.

 

[yb281]

One of the parts of the model that looked a bit toy like was the way the hook was tied to a single "rope" coming from the end of the jib.

Luckily, plenty of "rope" is provided and I was able to rig a double pulley block to the hook giving a 4 to 1 advantage. I also made a loop of garden wire which fitted into a hole drilled in the top of the buffer shank. The hook was attached to this loop via a shackle when the crane is in the travelling position.

Both the pulley and the shackle came from http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/ < Link To www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk in Tintagel (good service).

With hindsight, I would have bought a slightly larger pulley.

 

[yb281]

The chequerplate decking was painted silver. This not only looks better IMO, but also breaks up all that yellow (sorry Zman ).

 

[yb281]

Finally, some pics posed with my weathered track cleaner.

The permanent way brakevan that I recently converted from a Bachmann caboose brings up the rear.

I've still got a couple of things to tackle. I want to make the operators control panel look a bit better and maybe a light weathering too.

 

[Gizzy]

Looks better already, but it'll be even better once it's weathered Mel....

 

[Philbahn]

Given me inspiration to do mine. Knowing you it won't stop there Mel

 

[Madman]

Very nice!

 

[Dave Hub]

Mel that looks great, Makes a nice works train. I agree with the need for weathering the yellow is a little on the bright side.

 

[pugwash]

You just know it needs a match truck...
and one of these for the crew to brew up in

 

[stevedenver]

what a super job youve done!


its true how some details, a bit of paint to bring out molded details and attention can change a toy- like piece into something plausible

going to give mine some thought too

you may have started something here

 

[Steve]

looks Brilliant Mel, agree with Gizzy though far to clean

 

[Richie]

Nice work Mel

 

[yb281]

Thanks for all the kind words guys.

Pug, I am keeping a look-out for a suitable donor to make a tool/mess van .

 

[Clive Elesmore]

Very good, I have two of them which I was going to get rid of. You have changed my mind.

thank you for the inspiration.

Clive

 

[Bram]

Well done Mel, you have been a busy lad, thanks also for the link it's very interesting.

Will you be bringing it on the 13th?

 

[Gizzy]

Has anyone seen ever seen the prototype for this model?

I've tried Googling for it, but I'm wondering if the real thing actually exists?

 

[minimans]

Kn

Has anyone seen ever seen the prototype for this model?

I've tried Googling for it, but I'm wondering if the real thing actually exists?

knowing LGB's penchant for the rubber ruler perhaps it was this...................................................

 

[mmts]

Kn

Has anyone seen ever seen the prototype for this model?

I've tried Googling for it, but I'm wondering if the real thing actually exists?

knowing LGB's penchant for the rubber ruler perhaps it was this...................................................

or even this one

but i doubt it

 

[Madman]

Kn

Has anyone seen ever seen the prototype for this model?

I've tried Googling for it, but I'm wondering if the real thing actually exists?

knowing LGB's penchant for the rubber ruler perhaps it was this...................................................

Where was that rubber rule when I needed to convince the architects I was correct?