Well here is two versions of Ohio cranes that will be offered in my Shapeways store as soon as I make directions. Elevated cab and standard cab version. Most RR's that buy Ohio cranes used the standard cab verion. At least one exception I know of is UP, as they have (had) several high cab versions. Most high cab versions will be found for loading cars and or pick and carry on industrial sites/facilities. This diesel electric locomotive crane design was first introduced in the late 1950's under the Wellman name. I believe Ohio eventually bought the design or license to build it sometime in the 1960's. But I could be wrong about those dates. Regardless, many of these cranes are still used today. Ohio still exists (Under the name IPS Cranes) and refurbishes old ones. They will even build you a brand new one. So this crane is good for any layout, 1950's to present day. This wont be an easy one to build. Like the wreck crane, Ill make a video on how to assemble it. Also like the wreck crane, I urge you to watch it before you buy it to make sure your OK with what is at hand. If you can thread a needle, the rigging wont be so hard. You dont have to add the grab rails on the carbody. But you will have to fill in the holes if you dont use the them. You can leave out the foot rails to. As I stated in the idler car post, I leave making instructions for the last thing to do as its the pain in the butt part for me. These instructions will take a bit to do. So this will probably be at least two weeks if not more till I find the time. Brass carbody will be available as seen in the idler car video. Its not cheap but I would argue well worth it if you plan on running the crane. It really makes for a nice and heavy car with low center of gravity with very short truck spacing. Brass bucket both open and closed along with brass hooks and a brass magnet (as seen in pics bellow) will also be available separately. Again, not cheap for part size but adds nice weight to the hoist line to keep it taut. You have to buy (Z Scale Monster) and add chain to the magnet. This is a series of 6 cranes I just did. Eventually they will all be used on the layout as static models and not running on the tracks. These are all industrial purpose paint schemes to be used for loading scrap to sand to gravel to coal. I did the carbody, trucks and upper works all one color paint schemes. As these all might be second paint new jobs where its easier, faster and cheaper for the crane owner to paint it all one color.
Congratulation on making it a kit, I am 7 years too late on my side.... For not having been able to resolve the cables bending issues. Glad someone was able to create such a kit. So much time wasted on creating the manual,
Wow! Ben, that is beautifully done instructions and model! Before you hang it up, Have you tried this thread? https://www.superiorthreads.com/thread?cat=192 It bends really well around tight corners (z scale pulleys). You'd still probably need some weight. The brass buckets I'll be putting up on shapeways might be enough. The brass magnet and hook will definitely keep things taut, especially when you add the chains. Right now I cant rotate any of the cranes without them tipping over. Especially the cranes with the magnets. Plus I dont have the tag lines on yet. That will add some more chain and more weight.
Yep! Had tried almost all available #100 threads available, Asian Silk, polyester, cotton, you name it! I never was able to keep a strait line with tension, my structure was not solid enough. But hey! Even with all the wires flying around, it won first place back in 2012 I was really happy with it then. So your design should do the trick.