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Tichy ho 120 ton wrecking crane

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  • Member since
    February 2017
  • 189 posts
Posted by Deane Johnson on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 7:55 PM

peahrens

Thanks for posting the question and the photos.  I have one in the box (awhile) and model UP, so this it great info.  I think I'll look for a shorty Vandy tender.

 

I did my model with tender some time ago, probably in the 1980s.  As I recall, I used a Mantua tender and made as many modifications as I could to get it to look UP.  I remember adding running boards to the side of the tank and dual ladders down the back. This was one of the more distinctive features of the prototype.  Some hand rails also to reflect the protorype  The tender and the crane are painted silver, but weathered down.  It's the saftey striped rear that really stands out as UP.  I did both the crane and the tender with the stripes, holding off mounting the rear ladders on both models until the saftey stripe decals were finished. 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 7:20 PM

Everything in the interior was most likely a medium gray color. Good old standard "equipment gray" is always a good go-to for interiors of machinery.

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To paint the interior so it has some depth and stands out a little, I would airbush everything Antique White and wash it with Citadel Colour "Nuln Oil" (black) to give it depth. This simple technique always looks great when done. I call it "skill in a bottle."

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Be careful not to get the gloss version of Nuln Oil. This black wash over a white base coat is one of the best tricks out there for machinery and mechanical highlighting.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 7:13 PM

Thanks for posting the question and the photos.  I have one in the box (awhile) and model UP, so this it great info.  I think I'll look for a shorty Vandy tender.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • 189 posts
Posted by Deane Johnson on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 6:58 PM

The Union Pacific had them painted silver in the 1970 era.  The tender, at least, had black and white stripes.  Makes a great package to model and paint in a color that stands out.  Here's a link to some photos I shot of the UP "work train" equipment around 1970 in Council Bluffs where they were parked.

http://www.pbase.com/deanej/trains

You can scroll down to the thumb nails of the cranes and tenders.  Click on them for a blow up.

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 4:10 PM

I have one to build too.  Many of the pics I've seen on line are black inside and out.  That makes it hard to show detail and photograph.  The crane at the Ogden Rail Museum is gray.  That gives you more options to show off the guts.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Columbia, IL
  • 394 posts
Tichy ho 120 ton wrecking crane
Posted by wdcrvr on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 3:15 PM

Hi.  I fell into a great deal on the 120 ton crane and the boom car to go with it. $9.95 each and most of the construction on them is already complete and very well done.  Found them at my LHS.  So old they have the Gould Company name on them.

My question perains to painting variuos parts of the crane kit before completely assembling it.  Looking for information as to how to get the best effect from all the intricate detail parts inside of the crane cab.  And what would likely colors be for things like the control levers, etc.  Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks

wdcrvr

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