[goedel]

Having seen the huge Heljan container-terminal-o-matic on several websites and mentioned on the forums here I wonder if something more modest can be achieved in N gauge? Perhaps by using crane kits from a small obscure manufacturer? A quick google search suggests not, but then search engines are all about searching and not actually finding information! Can anyone recommend an existing N gauge container-terminal-featuring layout on the Internet with pictures?

There seems to be a choice of two gantry cranes:

Vollmer N 7905 Container-Crane (they've painted it so it looks like it's made of wood...!)

and the Minitrix 11124 Start Set contains a similar one in kit form: (is it the Vollmer one?! In which case there is no choice!)

Does anyone make container wagons for the UK model scene? I know that Minitrix, Roco and Fleischmann do some European ones...

Thanks,
Goedel

 

[goedel]

Thanks for the info Ian.

Here are some pictures of the Brawa crane mentioned, curtesy of a Google trawl - the Brawa N container-terminal-o-matic 5000 (item no. 1151 but it's not mentioned on the Brawa website and dates from a few years ago I think?)

I suppose that they've had to squeeze all the machinery underneath, but if you model with a solid baseboard it may be difficult to incorporate...unless you cut a large hole. Does anyone know if it is possible to get just the crane without all the underfloor heating machinery?

Having recently read CeeDeeI's forum topic on cardboard construction (well worth reading unless you're into Z scale) I'm strongly tempted to make one out of card, since it's a large structure for 1:160 scale and also quite a simple design. Details and the lifting apparatus could be bashed from the Vollmer kit already mentioned above. Heljan watch out!

Goedel

 

[goedel]

Rendering is fun. I decided to model the ÖBB/RCA container terminal I plan to add to my N gauge layout and wanted to include a big mobile gantry crane (based on the real ones made by Künz) as mentioned in previous posts. I made a crude real Lego model first, liked the way it turned out and decided to remake it in virtual Lego on my computer. After a few hours of work it looks like this in POV-Ray and will definitely be added to my layout plan soon, and to my layout in real life eventually!! Yes, that blue container really is hovering in mid air under the gantry...

I hope this inspires others to model containers, they really can be fun!

Goedel

 

[goedel]

QUOTE (RFT @ 2 Apr 2007, 15:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>have you got a link for that container design?
I can put it online if you would like it but I've cheated and overlapped the pieces significantly so you couldn't actually build them. In fact I normally overlap the pieces to get a better effect. I'd have to work in a totally different way if I wanted to build anything I designed!

I've added some 40' containers and a lengthened waggon design to accomodate them since some of these will be available from Minitrix in the big Alpine Freight Set 15645 to be released this year:

See also Minitrix 15245:

Both are 20 waggon sets!

Goedel

 

[goedel]

QUOTE (idd15 @ 22 Mar 2007, 10:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Amazingly I did keep the article on Divorce Lane and even more amazingly managed to find it!

The working gantry crane was built from a Brawa kit and did have its legs lengthend to accomodate the large 1:148 containers from C-Rail. The containers themselves were also modified with a thin strip of plastikard along the top edge to enable the gripper arms to get a good hold.

The layout is really good and packs an awful lot into 30 inches x 30 inches.

Have just found a picture of Divorce Lane on the net:

There are lots more pictures at (see if you can spot the HUPAC waggon that looks a little out of place under a Freightliner crane!):
http://www.calmm.8m.com/photo.html

I came up with a plan for my terminal, but I think it's too ambitious regarding the number of containers required!! Unless of course I can find some very finely corrugated cardboard and produce them in batches...

The red rectangle is supposed to be a huge gantry crane, inspired by the picture below:

Goedel

 

[goedel]

I deleted the pictures of my 3-D terminal design from the server by accident (however they were big PNG files and guzzling space/bandwidth so no loss!), but here is the latest version as a JPG with added trailers and other assorted improvements...enjoy!

More pictures (inc. the missing two above, now as JPGs) and more details are on my website (Eurofima Prima!). The more I design the better the whole idea seems, and since Roco/Minitrix make the wagons, Herpa make the trucks and the crane itself will be scratchbuilt and cannibalise the Vollmer crane above, it will be a definite on my layout...eventually!

Goedel