Work Car 1010 (Crane Car "Ichabod") - Official Work Thread

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Actually, we're storing Ichabod's spare counterweight on Number 9.

See ya
Jason

[Dave Buczkowski]

A representative from RowMow Mfg. asked that I post these photos I took of Ichabod's first venture out on a work train:

[Mike Fox]

This is what you missed Dave.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

That's a nice batch of rail, switch frogs and joint bars youz guyz picked up.  Not only does it help with prep for the Work Weekend but it helps get the former rail staging area cleaned up along Albee's field.  The work flat, Ichabod and Brookville work train looks like a great set up for such moves.

Good pics!   

[Dana Deering]

Hey All,

     The crane worked great for picking up the rail.  Mike, you do excellent work!  The plan is to salvage as much of the rail at Albee's as possible for the yard, and perhaps the TOM siding (someday).  The rest, that can't be used, will be scrapped.  Eventually we will have that area at Albee's Field picked up and neatened up.   It's looking better all the time.

Dana

[Mike Fox]

Thanks Dana, I aim (or in this case pick) to please.

[Mike Fox]

Well for any one doubting the usefullness of the crane, I hope some photos from the work weekend change your mind. I had never thought it would be as usefull as it is.

The paint as been scratched and I couldn't be happier. Built for work, it is once again doing what it was designed to do. Save backs.

[Mike Fox]

Finally bit the bullet this week and made the crank handles after work this week. I followed my measurements that I posted a few pages ago.

This is what I did. Day 1

I purchased 2 - 3/4 drive sockets on Ebay.

I then looked around the scrap metal bin at work and found some steel.

And I started with this.



First I trimmed the steel to the width I wanted, then welded the sockets on.


And heated and bent my angles.


Day 2.

I made and welded on some gussets, and found material for the handle.



And now, we have two handles and can return the one that is on loan. I brought these home and are down in the workshop with primer and the first coat of yellow on them.

[Steve Smith]

Thanks, Mike. Nice job!

[Steve Smith]

Forgot to mention the sequence of photos is also much appreciated.

[Paul Crabb]

Mike;
Sorry about scratching the paint on Work Weekend. We wern't smart enough to lower the boom enough so the rail we were picking up and swinging around in order to drill bolt holes wouldn't hit the crane braces. No matter what Icabod made the task much easier and worked even better when Dana figured out there is a second gear that makes lifting the hook much easier.

[Mike Fox]

Paul, a piece like Ichabod looks better scratched. It shows use. It is bound to happen. Maybe in 5 years I (or somebody) will slap some more paint on it.


I think this is the safest way yet we have to handle the rail.

[Jock Ellis]

Mike, do the outriggers extend on both sides to take the weight off the track when you lift?  You guys are really getting to look like a real railroad now. Congrats!

[Mike Fox]

The outriggers don't extend like a crane. They work best used in conjunction with the clamps. Cranking down on the jacks until the clamps have gripped the rail and engaging the locks to make sure they don't slip off. The counterweight really helps balance things out. Visually and literally.

[Rick Rowlands]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" or so the saying goes.  Well you should consider yourself flattered as we have used the  Ichabod as inspiration for our own crane build.  The car is a particularly heavy Carpenter Steel flatcar that had previously served as our original tender for the 58. On it is a Auto Crane 12 volt electric over hydraulic crane with a 4,000 lb. maximum capacity down to 1,000 lb. at 16 feet.  To stabilize the crane we will be building a set of outriggers as well as incorporating rail clamps into the design. 

So the next time you all see Ichabod, tell him that he has a big beefy cousin down in Ohio!