Freight Yard Derricks (and Forklifts!): recommendations on where to get them?

Crow River Products makes a kit for a crane like that.  I built one of these kits for my layout.  It went together very well, there is very little flashing on the castings.

https://www.crowriverproducts....29qji8ujinb9tatgk1q4

I found this one from Tichy Train Group.

Bob

Bob, I have a few of those kits.  Did you buy the .010 and .020 wire they indicate in the instructions or did the kits go together well without them?

@EmpireBuilderDave posted:

Bob, I have a few of those kits.  Did you buy the .010 and .020 wire they indicate in the instructions or did the kits go together well without them?

I didn't use any wire. The parts are small but it went together well. Threading the chain through the pulleys and attaching it at both ends was the only tricky part.

Bob

Thank you!  I'll not be afraid to put one together now - it seemed like the wire was overkill.  I'm sure putting these tiny pieces together will be fiddly at best...

A Google search for "1/48 scale models forklift" turns up two different styles of forklift from the 1940-60 time period.  They're available from at least two different sellers.

The forklift included with the Lionel 6-12862 Operating Oil Drum Loader loosely resembles a 1940s Crosley forklift.

This forklift is from Woodland Scenic.

Lehigh Valley makes this very similar white metal and wood motorized crane kit in S scale.  I just made the door to the shack bigger and it scales well to O scale.  It is a little more challenging than the Tichy kit.

Here is the link to the product.  The Lehigh Valley line has been produced by K&P Brick and Building Co. for many years.

Bob

I did see the Woodland Scenics one, which seemed like a better deal since it also comes with a plethora of other figures and details, so I will have to keep my eye out for it. Feels like there ought to be more than two options out there!

There is a fairly common TomyTec Komatsu forklift out there, but it is from the 1970s (both model and prototype!), in S scale (or as the labels put it 1/56 = S).

I have an Arttista #9001 forklift at one of my freight docks.

https://www.trainz.com/cdn/sho...6b9.jpg?v=1614700750