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I'd like one of those overhead cranes that you find at steel mills where the carrier runs on two overhead rails with the magnetic boom underneath. Add TMCC and that would be way cool.

 

Down in Claymont DE there is one at the steel mill just off Route 13. One of these days I'm going to stop and ask permission to photograph it.

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Originally Posted by falconservice:

What is needed is a Gantry Crane with a Claw that can grab the Steel Coil Covers and Steel Coils off the gondolas. The Gantry Cranes roll on rails that are mounted on support beams measuring about 50' O Scale height over the tracks.  Remotely operated claw and crane picks up steel coils. 

 

Andrew

There used to be a static version in HO but I don't think anyone ever made on in O. It should be fairly simple to construct just two overhead rails and a couple of support columns in metal to provide power to the rails. A motorized unit should be fairly simple to design. It would be nice to be able to have both a magnetic pickup as well as a type of hook and clamshell.

A redo of the 3656 Cattle Car/Ramp with improvements upon the cantankerous nature of the original.  The new edition could even feature an appropriate sound chip....for cows that moooooo, pigs that oink, and sheep that are baaaaaaaaaad.   

 

Maybe a scaled-down car/engine washer, too.  The original, done several years ago, had too big of a footprint for my tastes.  But a smaller 3-brusheroo...sides and top...with a smoke-generator (water-mist) and maybe a flashing LED or two on top to add pizazz, would help us passenger train guys keep the top management and marketing staff happy.

 

Then... if you're up to the challenge, Lionel/MTH...there's always a simulation accessory of the infamous backhoe that hoists itself up on top of a hopper car or gondola to empty the contents.  I tried to find a good attachable video, but it's not my strong suit.  Most of you have probably seen the real thing...now fairly commonplace in the heavy equipment repertoire.  But, wouldn't that be a hoot??

 

Oh well, you asked....

 

KD

How about a "Smart" 21st Century Diesel Maintenance Facility Building?


Technology and Innovations have always caught my eye. That said, I would suggest that Lionel produce a "Smart" 21st Century Diesel Maintenance Facility Building.   

 
Legacy features:

1. Open and close the doors with Cab-1 or Cab-2.
2. Turn exterior and interior lights on or off with Cab-1 or Cab-2.
3. Enter Id’s into Legacy Cab-2 what Diesel or Steam locomotives are assigned to their scheduled maintenance and have announcements from the Maintenance Facility or Roundhouse when the engines need to be serviced. “Engine 1988 Scheduled Maintenance today track one”, kind of like a Locomotive Maintenance Management System. The Service check could be programmed for 30, 60 or 90 days. This would make for a great reminder to look your engines over for traction tire issues, lubricate gears, check for loose wires, and a general maintenance check just like the real deal. If you wanted to service all your engines in 1 session, then you could enter a code that would make an announcement of all your engine ids one at a time every 5 or 10 minutes until you have acknowledge the engine has been serviced. At the end of the day you could enter a code that would check all the engines in inventory that have been serviced and announce “All engines serviced next scheduled maintenance in 30 days”.


The Maintenance Facility could even make announcements for staging your Diesel or Steam locomotives for sand, water and fueling. “Engine 1982 Track two clear for fueling”.  A two stall modern building would look fantastic. A roundhouse would be colossal! 

 
Regards,

Swafford

Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:

Definitely a O guage OPERATING Acessory of the Walthers HO:

Overhead Crane found in Many Railyards and HEavy industry applications

 

Walthers 250 Ton Crane:

 

a SCALE Mijack with METAL gears and robust Drive train to lift SCALE containers and TOFC equipment:

The first photo is very similar to the crane at the Claymont DE steel mill. I'd love to see that made in O.

I always thought a gate at a diamond would be neat. It could be operated automatically by solenoid or a slow motion machine. A brakeman would be attached to one end and look like he is lining the gate for his route to allow the train through. It would have to have some sort of detection system to tell the brakeman whether or not the gate needs to be moved. 

 

Dan   

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