K6      G-SCALE CRANE FOR ARISTOCRAFT CONTAINERS £299.99 Aristocraft sadly ceased trading in 2013, but for several years before that they made arguably the best U.K. modern traction G-scale models for garden railways: their Class 66 and Intermodal 45 foot containers are a marvel in 1:29th scale. The models we love may return as the company now has a new owner that's started manufacturing again. What to do with these wonderful models, how can you create a scenic setting that looks purposeful? Well we decided to make our own model container depot on the patio... The yellow DHL, blue Malcolm Logistics and mauve ECS containers shown are the original Aristocraft models. Contact Us to ask about the custom order of Maersk, Maersk Sealand and Evergreen decals used to repaint the other containers shown. The chain-link fencing is item K5 in another ordering page. This involved some rather expensive 3D printing - the kind for large parts made from nylon powder set with a laser, creating incredibly strong ridgid components - and it took several attempts to perfect the design for best effect. We adapted and extended an existing model made for slightly different containers, so that the 45foot Aristocraft ones would fit. The clasping jaws grip the top of the corrugated container sides precisely. The wider top beams allow the boxes to pass between the widened legs. Separate base feet blocks make it stable under the load. It ended up with four sets of final parts being made as the production attempts evolved - there is just one left from that batch for sale here - we could have more made to custom order, but it would be more expensive. The jib arm is motorised, with two manual switches on the top beam, controlling a pair of motors that are inside the red top box - the jib moves along or up and down. The jaws open and grip by themselves to a degree, and can be locked into place, but it will probably need the assistance of the big hand from the sky to place them securely around the centre of a container. With the electric motor switches alone you can move a clasped container along the arm - over from an Intermodal trailer to the ground say. The mechanism is designed so that the gears will slip when the end of travel is reached, the motor connection cable automatically bunches up under the arm just like a real one. But it's not perfect... Because of the weight of the Aristocraft container models, the gear mechanism for lifting will not by itself be able to lift a container without the gears slipping - that motion of the jib should be considered as poseable only, with the motor to wind up the cable slack as you hold a container. Like other Aristocraft electrical models, the mechanism is not really fully weatherproof and so it should be taken indoors or kept under cover if there is rain! The crane jaws will not be able to grip other makes of container model. LGB, USA-Trains and Piko containers are made to different scales or have a different side profiles, and they don't fit the Aristocraft Intermodal wagons, so we just scatter those around for more of a depot backdrop effect. We part assemble the crane, fully painted with the Maersk Sealand decals applied as shown above, leaving just a few minutes of clip-fit final assembly to get your crane up and running. The model figures, containers, and other scenic items from our layout in the example pictures are of course not supplied. The crane, at just under 3kg, is heavier and larger than our other wares and there are additional postage charges. When ordered with our decals or labels packs this will usually be sent separately with no further shipping charges. Due to the value and size, we will use myHermes Courier service within the UK, with a signature required on delivery and additional compensation included. K6 G-Scale Aristocraft Container Crane £299.99 + £10.00 P&P each within the U.K. We have only one of these in stock, although it's possible that we could make more. Note: If overseas shipment is required to outside of the U.K., please Contact Us first for a special price quote before ordering as international postage will be more expensive! This item is not subject to our Instagram special offer discounts.