UNITED KINGDOM

Model: "Unequal Legs" Block-setting Crane

Modeller: Ian Mordue, Durham City

Notes: The model is based on a standard Stothart and Pitt Titan steam crane from the latter part of the 19th century, which was initially scheduled to go to Gibraltar, but which, after significant alteration was installed on the pier at South Shields in the NE of England in 1899. It remained there undertaking pier building and repair activities until 1975, when it was removed (it did not operate much during the last 15 years of its life.) In order to fit on the pier its legs were altered so that one set of wheels rode along the top of the sea wall.

THE PROTOTYPE

An archive photo of the actual crane on site appears below.

THE MODEL

GENERAL VIEW OF THE COMPLETE MODEL

The model is at about 1/35 scale and is 4 feet long. Within the limitations of the space in the model, adherence to the prototype has been followed. It has a two speed hoisting drum and all motions of the crane are controlled from a single position on the model. It weighs around 20 kilos and is powered by a single geared motor concealed in the back of the jib. Extensive use has been made of Narrow Strips to reflect the scale of the original (well over 400 are used throughout the model). Travelling is through 8 driven wheels (as per the original) with all eight drives coming down the inside of the model and all driven by an output coming from the motor through the centre of the bearing. All the travelling wheels are sprung to absorb fluctuations in the track. The bearing uses 32 Couplings to hold 32 x ½” Pulleys round the edge of an 8” Flat Ring. A 7-½” Circular Strip fixed to the Flat Ring guides the Pulleys. Hook rollers prevent tipping and use 4 small Flanged Wheels running under the Flat Ring to achieve this. The slewing ring is 2 x 8” Toothed Rings (20 DP) with a 10 tooth Pinion turning the body of the crane. The stringing on the crane follows the pattern for the prototype – the jenny is moved by two continuous loops of string relying on friction with the driving drum, and the block is held on a single cable which is connected to a split hoisting drum. 

Extensive use is made in the model of Ashok Banerjee’s parts including many 1” wide Perforated Plates in zinc and 1 1/2” wide red Perforated Plates, all of various lengths, from 1” to 12-½”. Meccano parts could be substituted, however the parts mentioned provide a neat appearance by minimising joints and extraneous holes.

VIEW OF THE TOWER, TURNTABLE, CAB AND ENGINE

ENGINE, HOISTING DRUM, AND GEAR TRAINS - CAB HOUSING REMOVED

SLEWING RING, PLATFORM, AND TOWER

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE CRANE MODEL

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