Pictures and videos of the Heljan Container Crane. This crane is a great addition to any layout. You can control the crane several ways - with the controller that comes with the crane which is the easiest way. You can also control the crane from a computer - something I hope to eventurally do - or from a joy stick. I have a Roco joystick but I doubt that it will work with this crane.

Its power comes from a separate Märklin 12 volt transformer.

The unit consists of a movable container crane mounted on tracks. The unit spans one C track and has a large container platform. I didn't have to change any part of my layout. I put the platform covers on the unit, slipped the base platform under the track (did not depress the tracks into the platform), then installed the crane unit and the upper unit, connected the controller to the power source and to the crane and I was up and running.

The controller is simple to use and controls east, west movement of the crane, north, south movement of the upper unit, turning movement for the cradle, up, down for the cradle unit, on, off for the magnet, and on, off for two different lighting systems.

Well worth getting for any layout.

Pictures of the Märklin 76510 Coaling Station Gantry Crane. This is a great addition to any layout - analog or digital. You control the crane several ways - with a 6021, an IB which I use, a Mobile Station and wirelessly with the hand-held controller that comes with the original gantry crane (Märklin 76510). Its power comes from a my accessories feed from my Eckert power/booster unit.

The unit consists of a movable gantry crane mounted on tracks. The unit spans three C track units nicely. I didn't have to change any part of my layout. I just slipped the base platform under the tracks, put the bins unit on the platform then the crane unit and I was up and running. One important note. There are two black wires connected to the bins unit but no instructions what they are for or where to connect them. Upon examination I realized that there are two sockets on the platform base for these wires. I suggest you connect them first before mounting the bins unit. These wires provide power for a light in the control room for the bins and a blue work light, both of which will be constantly on as long as power to the layout is on. The crane rotates and moves back and forth across the tracks. The bucket can be raised and lowered and openned and closed.

I control the unit with my IB. I reset the address (easy to do) to avoid a conflict with another lok which had the 71 factory address. Control of the crane is fantastic by setting Fn 1-4 and rotating the IB control knob. You reverse the direction as you would a lok. The function key opens and closes the bucket. Worth getting for any layout.

Pictures of the Märklin 76500 Gantry Crane. This is a great addition to any layout - analog or digital. You control the crane wirelessly with a controller. Its power comes from a standard 16 VAC Marklin transformer (not provided in the set).

The unit consists of a movable bridge with a gantry crane mounted on the bridge. The bridge move back and forth. The crane rotates and moves back and forth across the bridge. The hook can be raised and lowered. The cab light, a flood light and a mangnet that you can attach to the hook are all turned on together.

The unit is controlled with a wireless transmitter to a receiver. Control of the crane is fantastic with just the move of a finger to get a response. You contol the speed of the response with the pressure you apply to the "sticks" on the controller/transmitter.

Several views of the Roco digital crane. The crane is controlled by both the Intellibox and by the Märklin Control 6021 which allows one to rotate the boom, raise and lower it, raise and lower the hook or a magnet, and turn on either a flood light or the magnet in the crane. A great digital accessory.

Several pictures of the Roco 40111 AC Märklin compatible gantry crane with excavator shovel. The cab swivels and the boom can retract. The hook goes up and down and an the excavator shovel or the magnet attached to the hook can be turned on and off for actual, realistic loading. A great accessory for any layout.

Pictures of the Märklin Goliath Crane. The largest German railroad crane is called "Goliath" and was built in 1977 by Krupp. It has been stationed in Dortmund, Hannover and Würzburg, constructing bridges, rerailing locomotives and cars, and handling heavy loads. It can lift 150 metric tons within a working radius of up to 8 meters (approx. 26 feet) and can lift 32 metric tons with a radius of 18.5 meters (approx. 61 feet).

Its detail and operation are nothing short of fantastic. This crane is easy to use and beautiful to look at. It is simple to operate by simply using f2, f3, and f4 to raise and lower the boom, raise and lower the hook, and rotate the boom respectively. The trailing car has two balancing weights that can be attached to the rear of the crane. I prefer this crane to the Roco crane car. That crane can be seen by going to the Roco Loks pictures. I still think that the Roco Gantry crane is a really great accessory. Its retracting boom is what makes it special. Still, the Goliath is now my favorite crane.