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I am adding a gantry crane with an electromagnet to my layout.  I'm planning on gluing a steel washer inside some plastic 35mm film canisters to use as cargo loads, the thought being if the canister falls on the track it won't short anything out.  What other suggestions do folks have for interesting "safe" cargo? 

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I've been collecting this and that for gondola loads for years.  Little broken gears, steel balls, small springs, pre-war wheels.  If you've got kids, finding little ferrous things makes a great game.  You'll forget about it but the next time you junk something they'll be on the lookout. 

 

Nathan

(some of the stuff is admittedly too big)

 

Scrap steel

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Funny, I never really thought about it to the extent you guys have.  I always just sliced up some cruddy old O27 straight track and ties (i.e., the kind that's pretty much given away under tables at train shows).

 

As far as shorting anything out, I would never have the siding powered while the crane was working.  If I needed to move a new gondola into place, I shut off the crane, move the train, and resume loading.

 

As a visual, however, I like the idea of a nice clot of miscellaneous junk, so maybe I'll look for different things next time we go to the local demolition and salvage store where we shop for items for old home restoration...a bunch of old gears from a clock restorer might be cool too.

Originally Posted by Pontiac787:

I am adding a gantry crane with an electromagnet to my layout.  I'm planning on gluing a steel washer inside some plastic 35mm film canisters to use as cargo loads, the thought being if the canister falls on the track it won't short anything out.  What other suggestions do folks have for interesting "safe" cargo? 

Don't put them inside - I tried that and the magnet isn't strong enough.  I did glue a washer to the OUTSIDE of film canisters and then painted them and added some signage:

 

 I also did what Rob showed - I picked up some dirt cheap and glued a washer to the top.  You can see them in the 2nd photo

 

Both work really well.

 

= walt

 

PICT0619

 

PICT0620

 

 

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Last edited by walt rapp
Originally Posted by RJR:

Do you remember where the mods were published?

Ralph, there are two basic techniques. David and I used a lead screw, basically a length of threaded rod with a nut attached to the crane driven by a gear motor at one end.  Others have used an endless chain drive. A motor with sprocket is located in a shack and an idler sprocket is located at the other end of the run. The links are fixed to the crane legs. You can find other videos on Youtube if you search on Lionel Gantry Crane.

 

Pete

Originally Posted by Jim Brenner:

There are some really good ideas here. I have a gantry crane that I didn't think I could use on the Beer Line, but after seeing these posts, I think I can adapt the wooden barrel idea. Also, I have to ask: is that a Legacy crane or did you motorize it somehow?

 

Thanks.

Beer bottle caps work too.  

 

RE: magnet strength, try to find a magnet from a American Flyer crane, they are sronger.

Last edited by John23

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