Lionel 6-18410 PRR Burro Crane
According to Greenbergs Lionel Price Guide this model was first issued in 1990. New MSRP was $110.
This Lionel model is similar to the prototype model 30 or 40 Burro crane first manufactured by Cullen-Friestedt Company.
Prototype Burro Crane
A "Burro" crane is a small four-wheel mobile lifting crane with a very small lifting capacity, designed to lift railroad ties and railroad rails as part of track maintenance. As early as 1907, the Cullen-Friestedt Company, Chicago, Illinois entered the track maintenance business with four-wheeled cranes designed to operate on rails. Starting with their Model 15 Burro Crane, the Cullen-Friestedt company's Burro Crane became the "Pack Animal of the Industry". Although there may have been other models during the past century, the Burro Crane progressed at least from Model 15 to 20, 30, 40 and 50. Additional information indicates that the Burro brand is now owned and supported by Badger Equipment Company. The Badger line includes its "specialized earthmoving, railroad, and material handling equipment, parts, and other products marketed under the Badger, Little Giant, Burro-CF, Cullen Friestedt, Western Cullen, and Burro brand names.
"The easiest way to tell a Model 30 from a 40 are the pulleys on the cab. Model 30's have pulleys that sit vertically above the cab. Model 40's have horizontal pulleys on a short hinged boom in front of the cab."
Model Operation:
The Lionel model has several operational features. It may be powered in forward or reverse direction (the Burro direction is set using a lever on the cab) and can be coupled to an additional car or two. The Boom can be raised or lowered using a manually operated knob on the model. The position of the hook (raised or lowered) can be operated by a separate lever on the cab. The position of the cab can be rotated ccw or cw using a third lever. A trackside mounted actuator may be used to automatically reverse the direction of the Burro.
Note: See YouTube for a video of the Lionel Burro operation.
