OPERATE JAMES STREET -
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OPERATE JAMES STREET -
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Dock Cranes
In the old dock, the cranes were originally Faller/Kibri kits as supplied. (As seen on the layout photo here) However, these are, not unexpectedly, rather 'continental' in design, and appear to be modelled as if the crane jibs could not go up and down. So Steve decided to buy some etched cranes from Scalelink/Fretcetera to replace them. But these have a rather odd system of topping the jib as well. I was asked to build new bases from Kibri/Faller and use parts from the etched cranes to make a more representative design. In the end, the jib was used as designed, but the cab was cut and shut to give the results seen now in the old dock.
Picture courtesy of BRM Magazine
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On the new dock, Steve decided that more 'vertical modelling' was needed, as the real cranes are rather tall. We found a 3D printed kit by DAPR, which are much taller than the ones in the old dock, and one was bought as a test; I was elected to build it. It looked very complicated on opening the box, but in fact, it built up very easily and accurately, using superglue to hold it together. Rigging is much simplified; especially, I can't find any photos of the topping lift for the jib, so it is assumed it is gear driven inside the cab...
Old and new cranes for comparison
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Conclusion
That was my part of the dock build. Steve has built all the buildings, tanks, banana shed, and coal drops; and he is in the process of building a flour mill based on the one formerly in Felixstowe dock, but which is now demolished and buried under the latest container berths.
For the record, each of the larger ships took around 150 hours to build and paint; the tug, barge, and puffer about 50 hours each. That completes the story so far, but I still have two 'Shell Welder' kits ready to go.......