Jump to content
 

Hornby Dublo breakdown crane


Recommended Posts

The best thing is to look at pictures of the real thing.

There three excellent books on steam breakdown cranes. One by John S Brownlie the other two (A two volume opus) by Peter Tatlow.

 

There are a small number of steam breakdown cranes in preservation.

 

Gordon A

Link to post
Share on other sites

On mine, bought new 50 years ago, I chopped off the winding handles as they foul on sub 50 mm track centres and replaced them with gear wheels from a clock which retained the play value when my son was small, actually enhance it as the handles are so fiddly.   Also used ships rigging from Cheltenham Model Centre instead of the green rope.   A 

Mine is dirty black but now realise cranes were generally kept clean so repaint into lined black is planned.

 

I guess someone will convert one to DCC with slewing, jib and winding motors?  No?   Though not.   Maybe radio control with the receiver and power pack in a permanently coupled Ks GWR 40 ' brake? 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

There was an article describing a project conducted to motorize all the movements on a detailed HD crane in the August 2001 issue of Railway Modeller.

 

It was operated using a dedicated control box on a wander lead but the author, Tony James, stated that he would have attempted digital control via four Zero One chips but for the cost. Todays multi-function chips would probably make it much easier.

 

Well worth locating a copy before you start, I'd think as the mechanical aspects are covered quite thoroughly.

 

John

Edited by Dunsignalling
Link to post
Share on other sites

Does it bear any resemblance to a prototype?

 

I believe it is based on a Cowans Sheldon design, but rather short in the jib (in order to negoiate 15" radius curves).

 

 

http://www.bdca.org.uk/gallery/index.php/Miscellaneous-Images/CS-45T-Diagram

 

And an ex-pat

 

http://www.phantasrail.com/Iran/23%20DL%20Tehranu.jpg

Edited by Il Grifone
Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe it is based on a Cowans Sheldon design, but rather short in the jib (in order to negoiate 15" radius curves).

 

 

http://www.bdca.org.uk/gallery/index.php/Miscellaneous-Images/CS-45T-Diagram

 

And an ex-pat

 

http://www.phantasrail.com/Iran/23%20DL%20Tehranu.jpg

Looking at the model and the photo's and plans it seems to me it the runner wagon as well as the jib that's a bit shorter by about a cm or so but I cant see it being much more than that and as others have said its such a beautiful model especially considering its age and being metal has a lovely tactile feel about you can easily forgive the slightly shorter jib.

 

   I've had two at various times but as there out side my modeling period have sold them though I keep getting drawn back to them and would have another one in an instance. Hmm I'm off to ebay to see whats about

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

If you are looking for a truly prototypical crane can I suggest you have a look at "Wild Boar Models" website.A 3D printed model, very easy to build and after painting and weathering really looks superb. It's also the model that Bachmann are threatening to release but don't hold your breath on that one. Our model runs on the "Horfield" exhibition layout and never fails to attract favourable comments.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Looking at the model and the photo's and plans it seems to me it the runner wagon as well as the jib that's a bit shorter by about a cm or so but I cant see it being much more than that and as others have said its such a beautiful model especially considering its age and being metal has a lovely tactile feel about you can easily forgive the slightly shorter jib.

 

   I've had two at various times but as there out side my modeling period have sold them though I keep getting drawn back to them and would have another one in an instance. Hmm I'm off to ebay to see whats about

 

The runner wagon is the Dublo low sided wagon with a casting for the jib rest riveted on and a red finish. This might have been a secondary reason for the short jib, but they could have used the double bolster wagon instead. Removing the bolster castings would have enabled the release of a plate wagon.

 

The crane tends to be rather expensive these days (it never was cheap!) and a decent example will probably cost around £30 - more if boxed and complete. The jacks are usually missing (and expensive) but are not required for a detailed example of course. I paid only £3 for my crane unit, but all the other bits raised the total price considerably.

 

EDIT

There's a faded example on eBay at the moment for £22.99 BIN - fine for detailing.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Dublo-4620-Breakdown-crane-FREEPOST-/222278080689?hash=item33c0ce58b1:g:lTUAAOSwYIxX~LVzhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Dublo-4620-Breakdown-crane-FREEPOST-/222278080689?hash=item33c0ce58b1:g:lTUAAOSwYIxX~LVz

 

and this one which is obviously an abandoned detailing project.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-Dublo-Breakdown-Crane-with-parts-to-make-the-correct-Hook-Rigging-Assy-/112189042955?hash=item1a1efcf10b:g:cAcAAOSwx2dYCQC5

 

There was also a packing van available as an optional extra, but, as a BR standard van, unlikely I would have thought.

Edited by Il Grifone
Link to post
Share on other sites

Work done so far stripped back to bare metal and primed,removing the paint improves the detail as the rivets show up better(see jib photo),holes filled on crane body and teeth on main drive gears filed out

 

 

 

 

post-27699-0-40811400-1478769704_thumb.jpgpost-27699-0-37244800-1478769733_thumb.jpgpost-27699-0-64009600-1478769809_thumb.jpgpost-27699-0-63629500-1478769848_thumb.jpg

Edited by oldchap58
  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Il Grifone I assume that this would be the Hornby dublo 21t bolster wagon not the bogie bolster wagon?To mod it you would need to remove the bolsters and I assume also the sides so that you would have a flat deck?There are a couple on ebay that are cheap it might be worth a shot!

Edited by oldchap58
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

If you are looking for a truly prototypical crane can I suggest you have a look at "Wild Boar Models" website.A 3D printed model, very easy to build and after painting and weathering really looks superb. It's also the model that Bachmann are threatening to release but don't hold your breath on that one. Our model runs on the "Horfield" exhibition layout and never fails to attract favourable comments.

Do you have a pic?

 

Rgds.........Mike

Link to post
Share on other sites

Il Grifone I assume that this would be the Hornby dublo 21t bolster wagon not the bogie bolster wagon?To mod it you would need to remove the bolsters and I assume also the sides so that you would have a flat deck?There are a couple on ebay that are cheap it might be worth a shot!

 

Hi oldchap58,

 

The 21T double bolster is indeed the one I meant. Ideally the bolsters should be removed*, but they could be passed off as packing left on the wagon and the sides are quite low so could stay. The stakes can be eliminated without great difficulty. The main problem is that the solebars are too far apart and level with the sides. It might be easier to use the underframe from one of the other LWB vehicles and scratch build a body. Of course the wagon supplied by Hornby is fine for the jib as is. It is rather lacking in detail however (it was not one of the better Dublo wagons!).

 

The real thing is here on Paul's invaluable site.

 

http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brdoublebolster

 

* This could be tricky - the Dublo alloy is tough - and as the bolsters are hollow might leave holes in the floor.

 

David

Edited by Il Grifone
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...