Where can I get a Railway Breakdown Crane? (Answered)

[mca0004]

As the title says.

I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get my hands on a railway crane? I'd like to be able to create a breakdown train consist with the crimson Stove R I've got on order.

Whether it's a kit, ready to run or shapeways print doesn't really matter to me, I'd just like to know where to get one.

And don't worry moderators, this isn't a request to buy one from a forum member. I know I'd need to use the Wanted section of the N'porium for that.

UPDATE
I have purchased one of Osbournes' ready to run cranes, and it should be with me in a few weeks (if it isn't lost due to Australian Post being the literal worst).

[martyn]

Osborn's models;


https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ocww-aln100--ready-to-run-gwr-ransomes--rapier-crane-43811-p.asp

https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ocww-aln102--ready-to-run-45t-br-red-ransomes--rapier-crane-47322-p.asp

There are two versions, i think; also there used to be a cast one by Skytrex, but i don't know if any one else took over the tooling.

Martyn

[Bob G]

Currently I believe there is only one UK crane on the market.

https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ocww-aln100--ready-to-run-gwr-ransomes--rapier-crane-43811-p.asp

https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ocww-aln102--ready-to-run-45t-br-red-ransomes--rapier-crane-47322-p.asp

The GWR version is 1940-48.
The BR red version is late 1960s onwards.
There was also a BR black version 1948-68 (approx dates) which ran on the Southern but they may have sold out.

Worth asking Osborns what they can do for you.

You do not want to go the whitemetal kit route. They are so heavy you won't be able to move them.

HTH
Bob (NGS Helpline)

EDIT - Martyn beat me to it by seconds but since the facts are identical, I'd say you have your answer!

[Bigmac]

these often come up on ebay--cheap and cheerful

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284745246421?hash=item424c23a6d5:g:XrIAAOSwyi1iSv7-

and

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284741190708?hash=item424be5c434:g:alwAAOSwolphWJdf

[Bealman]

There's a yellow thing I seem to remember from the nineties - Ibertan?

[chrism]

these often come up on ebay--cheap and cheerful
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284741190708?hash=item424be5c434:g:alwAAOSwolphWJdf

and make a fairly decent basis for a bit of butchery;
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=43692.msg670976#msg670976

[ntpntpntp]

You are rather limited when it comes to UK cranes. Osborns or the old Skytrex kit?

There are a few Continental crane models out there, most of the major manufacturers have offered one at some point.  For example Fleischmann, Roco, Minitrix (same as Roco), Ibertren, Arnold, Kibri (kit). I don't believe any of them look very British in nature so it depends how realistic you want it to be?

Top to bottom: Roco, Arnold, Ibertren, Fleischmann.  Not showing their match-trucks in this photo - if you buy second hand make sure they come with the match truck!

[Paddy]

Hi @mca0004

You can view my own crane journey here...

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=11342.765

Thought it might give you food for thought.

Kind regards

Paddy

[Phoenix]

What an interesting thread Paddy 

You have done a fabulous job there 

I can only add my name to the list suggesting Osbornes, but also let you know I have one 







The detail is excellent. It is a lovely model, which I bought as I have early memories of my Dad's layout in the loft, where he had a Hornby (I think  ) one made of a very very heavy lump of iron 

The Osbornes one will run on radius one curves, but is happier on radius two 

Osbornes can be difficult to get hold of, so if you don't hear from them, it's worth mentioning here. Mike and Maurice look in, and are very helpful when they get your message 

All best wishes

Kevin

[ntpntpntp]

@Phoenix   Yes I remember having a Hornby Dublo crane very similar to the Osborns model. 

https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Breakdown_Crane_(Hornby_Dublo_4620)

[Paddy]

What an interesting thread Paddy 

You have done a fabulous job there 

I can only add my name to the list suggesting Osbornes, but also let you know I have one 







The detail is excellent. It is a lovely model, which I bought as I have early memories of my Dad's layout in the loft, where he had a Hornby (I think  ) one made of a very very heavy lump of iron 

The Osbornes one will run on radius one curves, but is happier on radius two 

Osbornes can be difficult to get hold of, so if you don't hear from them, it's worth mentioning here. Mike and Maurice look in, and are very helpful when they get your message 

All best wishes

Kevin

Thanks Kevin, I appreciate your kind words. Creating my crane was a labour of love (not sure that is the right word though!). The Osborn Models crane looks fantastic and if I did not have mine then I would be tempted.

Also, I love the old Hornby Dublo model. What an amazing "toy" from simpler age.

Kind regards

Paddy

[mca0004]

Thank you all for suggesting Osbornes, I'm happy to say I've got a BR Black crane on the way!

I'll keep you updated for when it arrives.

[Bob G]

That's great news.
Enjoy it.

Oh and you can run it with black or red breakdown coaches/vans, as the cranes were the last to get repainted in the 60s.
You may be able to get a Breakdown crane Red Stove R secondhand or a Dapol Red ex fish van, but the staff running brake van might have to be a repainted red or black early Farish Suburban brake end coach.

Bob

[PennineWagons]

I run my Osborn's BR black crane with one of the Farish departmental black Stanier BGs. Looks good IMHO. (Yeah, yeah, I know the coach has ELECTRIFICATION lettered on the side. I just imagine it's been recently reassigned to the breakdown crane unit and hasn't had the lettering repainted yet. You can't read it from the other end of the loft anyway.)
PW

[mca0004]

Oh and you can run it with black or red breakdown coaches/vans, as the cranes were the last to get repainted in the 60s.
You may be able to get a Breakdown crane Red Stove R secondhand or a Dapol Red ex fish van, but the staff running brake van might have to be a repainted red or black early Farish Suburban brake end coach.

I've luckly have an old Graham Farish LMS Suburban coach I don't mind repainting, I just need to know; what colour it should be? I know it's supposed to be red, but what type of red?

I also already have a Crimson Stove R on the way, so that's sorted, and I can get some peco van kits. I just need to know that red.