#6560 Crane Car Destruction

[tfabrizio]

Well, I picked up a nice 6560 postwar crane car at York this year. It is in pretty good condition and looks great when displayed. However, when I run it, the crane has a tendency to slowly swing the crane boom out to the side after a few laps around my 027 layout. Eventually, the hook grabs onto something and drags it (usually a water tower) through the town, giving off a nice natural disaster effect. Does anyone know how to stabilize the crane so it doesn't swing? I don't want to use glue or detract from its condition. Thanks.

[lionelsoni]

I run my very similar 2460 crane with a 6419 work caboose as a crane tender.  I put a small eyebolt in the 6419's floor, just under the crane's hook.  With the hook in the eye, the tender keeps the boom nicely centered on O27 track.

[EIS2]

K-Line made a very nice work caboose (6822031) that has a cradle on the front of the caboose for the crane boom to rest in.  The caboose keeps the crane boom aligned with the rails very nicely.

Earl

[lionelsoni]

I wonder whether this is the same as the K-Line DMIR 6862 car that I have.  If so, the boom doesn't come close to fitting on the car on O27 curves.  I have also done the eye-bolt modification on this one to accommodate the matching K-Line crane. 

[kpolak]

There should be a tension washer (bent metal washer) between the cab plate, and the car frame.  Remove the horse shoe clip, and pull the cab up to remove the cab.   The washer should be in there.  Clean, and oil the frame, and bend the washer a bit to get more tension.

Kurt

[tfabrizio]

I bent the washer, that worked great! Thanks.