How to restring a Lionel 810 Derrick Crane Car'

I restored one of these a few years ago.  If I recall correctly the string goes from the winding drum out over the pulley at the tip of the boom.  Slip the string under the pulley of the hook assembly and tie the string off on the boom.  I don’t recall exactly where on the boom but it should come up just behind the pulley at the tip.  The weight of the metal hook is enough to lower the hook when you unwind the drum, provided your string isn’t too stiff.

Danr, thanks.  What kind of string did you use?   Heavy Black thread?

The string should ideally be either hemp or cotton cord (not twine).

Here is the 219S string for the 810 Derrick.

Larry

I don’t recall exactly what I used but, I would go with Larry’s recommendation.  It looks like a cotton cord as Uberstationmeister suggested.

Would black fishing line work? Would need to use a thicker type.

@Joe K posted:

Would black fishing line work? Would need to use a thicker type.

It might but you would need a something around 3/32” to simulate a correct size cable.  You also need a line that has no memory, hence the cotton cord.

Danr, you r so right!  I love the "line with no memory" part.  You are so right!

Picture is worth a thousand words.  BTW, the cord you see is the original from lionel. That's the type to use and it's not necessary to use a long length.  Note in the boom picture that the knotted end stays inside the boom.

Thanks.