what era's does this model fit with? from the picture i found on n scale supply, the service cars are wood, but i was more concerned with the crane itself. i can re-work the cars to be the right era (current), but wasn't sure what time frame the crane itself fit with. thanks!
The crane is of one that is steam powered. Nice model for the 30s, 40 up through maybe early 1960. Very early 60s
http://www.tichytraingroup.com/index.php?page=view_category.php&category=Freight+Car+Kits&offset=0 You can order direct.
I have built one of these sets. It was a lot of fun. I still need to haul it out and decal it. I would say the crane would be best for 30s through 50s. They were probably most scrapped in the 60s. There's a very similar full-size crane at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon. I will see if I can find a picture.
I have this MOW set and love it. My layout is set in 1962 and I figure these work great as relics, if nothing else--and maybe even still being used by a small branchline. Plus, as visitors to Chama know, stuff like this can be found looking well-maintained on tourist lines, if for nothing more than show.
This is kind of an outdated photo on Espee Railfan... http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/spmw/wreckers/7020b_spmw-crane-byron_bostwick.jpg This one is now at Antique Powerland and it's been repainted and restored a bit. It appears to be in very nice shape.
I've been toying with getting one too. Probably leave the cars as is, and have the crane rusting away on a siding. I'm in the process of cleaning up and modifying a Roco crane that I picked up yesterday. I'm actually more interested in the Tichy Rotary Plow though, realizing it's going to be a HUGE undertaking to turn it into a SP Rotary.
For the snowplow, did you see Randall Gustafson's article in one of the more recent issues (July? August?) Rail Model Crafstman? He turned his into a Santa Fe plow and made it actually rotate, too. Adam
Back to the original: I found this pick wandering through RailPictures FEC Brownhoist from 2003 MA&PA RR from 1989 Adam: I saw it and I'm studying it. The SP unit from Roseville.
Is the Maryland & Pennsylvania one a steam crane? I seem to remember they had a steam crane at a really late date.
