TMCC Crane car review

[eZAK]

After 7 months I finaly received my crane car in the Penn. road name.

After taking it out of the box I looked it over and the detailing is Great!
The cableing system is fantasic and the little coupler release handles actualy work.

After reading the directions I turned on the power and put it through its paces.
Everything worked perfectly! Turret, Boom, Hooks, out riggers, couplers & lights.
One minor exception was 1 out of the 6 outriggers did not pop out on the first try. After a couple tries it now works just fine.

The test. The instruction booklet says the crane will pick up 1.25lbs on its main hook with the boom all the way up. to try this I positioned the crane on a track near the edge of the layout. It is a ballasted main line. The turret was turned 90* then I lowered the hook over the edge of the layout to its lowest point of travel. their is NO stop at the end of travel so you have to watch it or it will rerapp itself and start the hook upwards.

Now to find something, about a pound, to lift. I decided to use my Centerline Products track cleaner car. (solid Brass) When put on the hook the crane will easily tip over. I tried to use the blocks supplied with the unit but they would not fit under the outriggers do to the ballast. I then made my own blocks and again hooked the car on. It holds!

Now the moment of truth. Up main hook...it works! All the way up!

PROs;
The detail and operation are great!
Turret will spin all the way around with out stopping.
Outriggers are useful and needed for a heavy side load.
Lights are bright and can be controled from the Cab-1.

CONs;
The 12 outrigger blocks supplied could have been made of different sizes.
The outriggers do not retract automatically.
NO sound or smoke!
(I know there is no room for this stuff in side that cab, but it would have been nice. Maybe lionel will offer a companion crane tender car with sounds some day)

All said I would buy it again and would recomend it to any one. Even those with small kids. While the cabeling system might be to delicate for some to handle they can surely operate it with some guidence.

Please feel free to add your comments.

Pat Zak

[eZAK]

Another CON,

Does anyone else have a problem with the doors being very hard to open?

Is there a fix?