TMCC Crane and Boom cars

Not that its much different, but I own one of the TMCC cranes from several years ago.

 

IMO its arguably, one of, if not the best train item Lionel has ever come up with.

 

 

Coolest thing ever.  I like cranes and these operate just like the real deal.  Really fun to play with.  And the sounds are great too.  Only thing missing are the hand signals.

Hey Rick, can you use it to actually pick up and rerail cars? Can it pick up other loads?

 

Does anyone have a video of this in action? I like the car (a lot) but $$$ with the accompanying tenders. Probably $650 after discounts for both?

 

Once again, always thought it would be fun to own one. I'm very surprised MTH has not made a competitive offering. Maybe someday....

 

Paul

I think the TMCC cranes are totally cool, with very smooth and realistic operating characteristics.  There have been reports in the past where some people had alignment problems with the rigging but overall they seem to work pretty well.  I would imagine the Legacy versions would be the same.

Yes, its a fairly heavy diecast crane. There are steam and diesel versions. They have synchronized crewtalk, which IMO is neater/ more fun for the crane than a locomotive. It can be turned off.  

 

I don't personally have any videos there are several on youtube.  Lionel TMCC crane

 

It picks up anything you can get a hook on.  Booms up and down.  Has two hooks.  I've rigged containers with fishing Fireline so I can pick up loads off gondolas and vice versa.  If you like cranes, this model is the bomb. 

Your Crane Car was designed to hoist objects when properly supported by the outrigger
supports from a stationary position. When the boom is raised to its highest point, the main
hook is capable of hoisting about 19 oz (1-1/5 lb) and the auxiliary hook is capable of hoisting
about 14 oz (7/8 lb). When the boom is lowered to its lowest point, the main hook is capable of
lifting about 12 oz (3/4 lb) and the auxiliary hook is capable of lifting about 7 oz (7/16 lb).
Avoid lifting heavier objects to prevent damage to the Crane Car.
Operating the Crane C

 

 

William,

 

Based on your signature, am I to assume that there's people out there that think trains are less fun when they're functional? 

I just love mine, I was surprised at how well that they preform. One time I was able to latch onto and raise a die-cast tender off of the layout, this was from the crane operating from a bridge about 18" above the accident.

 

I also have no videos of them operating.

 

I really like the CSX one that was before I went to need page to see the Bethlehem Steel crane. Also I then saw the MOW, which I have the 1st MOW they made and the Chessie. So now I have to make a decision on the Bethlehem Steel or the CSX or maybe both.

 

DT&I for me.  I completely missed it the first time through the catalog.  

One of the best Lionel products, a lot of fun. I have the NYC crane and boom car, very entertaining'

Fred

Hi Korling -I can't answer your question.  I think when I came up with that, I was looking to build layouts for dough.  Meaning, trains are more fun when they are running on a layout, not sitting in boxes in a closet.  And I stand by that.  Trains are more fun functioning, and nothing functions as coolly as the TMCC crane.  The only thing you can't do what a real crane can do, is boom down while raising the hoist or vice versa.  You can do either while swinging, which is cool.  I was a Union Laborer for a bit back in my feckled youth.  I worked with a crane operator all day giving signals, picking up and setting all kinds of loads on and off flat beds and whatever else in heavy construction.  That is why I love cranes and this is one of the coolest operating models there is. And I stand by that.

I totally agree; I wouldn't part with mine!  You won't be sorry.

Rick,

Thank you for the video link of the RR cranes.

They're great!

Ralph

Just another  for the crane/boom set. I have the BN set .. it has worked flawlessly. The most fun out-of-the-box accessory ... we've had a lot of fun with it.

 

For Christmas layouts, I placed a Santa and toys in a plastic USArmy Willys jeep I built (with a mounted .50cal, lol), and had it "stuck" on the tracks. My work train comes to save Santa and Christmas. (I think I got the idea from a YouTube)

 

As a DT&I fan, I guess it would be hard for you to pass this up.  Expensive, though.

 

 

So much fun that I own 2!!

 

Very fun to operate and it's also an item that both my son's ask for a lot to come out on the layout.   

I have the older CP crane car... it really is nice piece and a pile of fun. Wasn't able to snag the boom car at the time or since (they seem to be hard to find). Thinking about picking up one of the legacy boom cars so CP's not on her own ... I can live with the different line. Might even plunge for a set.

 

Really good to see these back in the catalog.... one of the most interesting items I have on the layout.

I had all of the Crane Car and Boom Car Sets, after letting folks on the Forum know they were available, I was able to sell 8 out of the 10 Sets....the reason for selling, I ran out of room...THEY ARE REALLY NEAT AND THE SOUNDS FUN TO LISTEN TO...I think these were the most creative Action Car Set Lionel has ever Produced...I like watching the Boom go Up and Down and All Around, and Control of the Hooks...It's a WOW.

I have the NYC crane and Boom car. I have not used it very much. I have heard many bad stories about the problems involved with re stringing the crane.

 

Here are a few pictures of a MOW train I am working on.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

No question, one of the all time best items made for O scale/O gauge. It's fun, reliable, a huge crowd pleaser, etc. Turn it on, hand your Cab-1 over to a kid and just try and get it back!!! My four year old can't get enough of it.

I have the BN from a few years ago, but I'm probably going to order the MOW one this time.

 

Don't delay. Order today!!!

To the original posters question the answer is, Yes, I'm very happy with them (Santa Fe set) and I would add, that I believe these would have been a "Vision" product if introduced in today’s catalog.

 

I have never heard of a rigging problem, but I can see that would be a nightmare if one needs to do that type of repair.

 

In my own case, the outriggers deploy, but sometimes they do not "stick" when pushed in. That for me is not a big deal, as I really don't use that feature very much.

 

Reliability wise, we almost always have a set running during the Midwest Division TCA events, which is probably 6 or 7 times a year.

 

The other thing I would add is that the addition of the cab2 has made the set easier to use.

 

Charlie

Great operating item. I have two complete crane set ups(crane & crane tender sound car). One is the UP diesel version and the other is the steam NYC version. I wound up picking up a second crane once my two kids were arguing who was going to run the crane on the layout. They are a great fun for the kids, me too.  The cable rigging on the boom is fine as long as you don't turn them over without tension on the hooks. I made that mistake ONCE, not thinking when I was looking to install KD couplers on the crane. It took me at least an hour to figure out how the cabling was strung on all those pulleys. 

They are fun, but fragile. Not really for kids to play with, but fun for them to watch.

The only frustrating thing are the support beams do not want to stay retracted.

They are tough to run around the layout with out taking out scenery and things.

I have mine in a siding working on moving railroad parts.

Wish I had or was able to get the PRR Set, now have to decide between the MOW and the Bethlehem Steel Sets.....

These are certainly one of the cooler TMCC accessories.   As other have mentioned, it's not very "kid friendly".

 

They are great! I ended up with two of them (long story); a diesel  (ATSF) and a steamer (BN), and I like both. (Pictures below)

 

As Rick said, there are many YouTube videos of the crane in action. Make sure to watch Mike Reagan's video on setting them up. He describes every feature, but does not have the crew talk turned on (?!).

 

You'll enjoy it!

 

Alex

As everyone has stated a blast to play with. Here is my BN version in action.

Did somebody say Boom?

 

I have seen lots of trains come and go.

I have seen accessories up the Wazoo (and that is not a river)

 

The crane and boom are the best I have ever seen.

What fun to operate (not play with).

We have real wrecks on the Munoz Lines.

Nobody's playin' here.

We're real railroad men.

 

What's that, Sweetheart?

It's your railroad . . . yes, I knew that.

I can be let go?

Aww, c'mon.

I was only joking.

I meant real railroad women and men.

Women and men, Sweetheart.

Not just men.

OK, I'm usually in the MTH camp and most of you know it.

However:

I bought a TMCC command set because I got the Steam MOW crane set.

This is without exception the favorite item of every child.

Add screw eyes to a pile of junk and they will load and unload cars all day.

 

If you don't have one, you are missing out.

Lionel hit a home run with this one.

Two questions:

 

1. Can you turn off just the "dialog"? If so can you vary the volume of the other sounds? (does that count as two questions?)

 

2. (or 3.) Is the dialog different on the steam and diesel models respectfully?

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

As far as the TMCC version is concerned:

 

Yes dialogue can be turned off, there is a volume pot on the boom car to adjust the overall volume there are not independent levels.

 

I'm not sure about  any difference in dialogue. All of the dialogue pertains to crane operation, i.e. " lets get to work","raise the load", "swing it left", "lower the boom", etc, as opposed to referencing crane power type.

 

The dialogue for the cranes seems a bit more realistic/ less cheesy than the crewtalk for locos.

Crane dialogue is more like construction site"man to man" foreman to operator verbal instructions.

 

Crane "crewtalk" is not random, it responds accordingly, based on the movement/ action that you choose.

Yo have the option of turning off the dialog and just getting the sounds. I have the UP set and the Santa Fe set and hands down the coolest train I own. I would be hard pressed to get rid of them

I think that there are some of these units on the "FOR SALE" part of this forum.

Thank you Matt and Rick.

I have a WTB for the Chessie Crane & Tender. I like the idea of having an area visiting kids (certainly not me) can play with the crane loading and unloading materials.

 

Paul

Some time ago this was posted...

TMCC crane car bucket

 

It is a neat way to add more fun to the crane.  NGZ also makes 1:50 scale clam shell buckets.  There is a guy on eBay that sell realistic chains and straps for cranes, under the heading evot.

I have the PRR crane but with the Burlington Northern tender.
Was going to do a re-paint  but would prefer the steam sounds.
Anyone interested in a tender swap?
Will not let go of the crane.
Concur with most. Best bang for the buck in terms of coolness and fun.
Kids get to play with two clam buckets, magnetic and hook.
Plus an assortment of manual K-line, Lionel and Marx.
No one touches dad's  TMCC crane under penalty of banishment from the train room.
Lol. But serious.

I have the pennslavania version no boom car wish I had that.  Mine is broken I think the motor board is bad.  Not sure though since the status lights work on the motor board.  The outriggers and couplers work so I know it getting commands.  Has anyone had this problem.  I can get a new board from lionel.

I've seen these, and they are pretty cool. If Big L ever offers a Boston and Maine version, I'm in.