Model No.118 Travelling Gantry is to be found in the 1911-
1915 Meccano Manual and can be built with outfit No. 5. I
used my 1911 number 4 Outfit plus extra contemporary
parts that came with the set when it was given to me a few
years back. I rather liked the introduction to the instructions.
"A most interesting model to the student of mechanics.
If carefully constructed, the mechanism will be found to
work with the utmost precision and smoothness, and
much instruction can be gained by a study of the parts."
Indeed it was instructive and the model worked! I used only
parts from the 1911 set with the exception of Meccano
string of an unknown date, 1950's spring clips, I did not
have enough of the original narrow type plus a few 1950's
nuts and bolts.
The model first appeared in 1909 in a simpler form without
the use of p/n 53 flanged plates, not introduced until 1911.
A 1910 edition of the manual has the model illustrated with
sepia photographs of the earlier model. The manual that I
followed for the construction was completely re-designed for
1911 with all the illustrations produced as beautiful black
and white line engravings. The engravings however caused
a few problems, as the parts shown did not always fit as
illustrated a not uncommon problem over the years.
One thing I changed was not to use the curved 25 hole and
11 hole strips to brace the gantry instead I used strips, I had
plenty to spare.
The crane has three crank handles to operate the functions;
(1) operates movement via a worm, (2) operates the hoist,
(3) the trolley. One curiosity is the need for a gear box,
described as a clutch that slides (5) a gear wheel, between
two pinions, this has no function in the operation of the
model. It does though add some extra technical fun having
gears, this would of course be useful if the model had a
motor. Note the early type of pawl (4).
One aspect not mentioned that confused me was the need
to bend strips to form part of the clutch and pulley block. In
the assembly of corners the much longer bolts will not all fit
facing in, one has to have the nut outside this was not
always shown in the engraving either. Interestingly the parts
in 1911 were of heaver gauge and a grade of harder steel.
The model was deleted from the 1916 manual publication
probably because of the increase in the range of parts then
available. This type of crane has remained popular from the
earliest manuals right up until the present day.
Page created April 09 2021 Revised August 03 2021
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The original plans as shown
in the 1911 -1915 Meccano
Manual
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For a short video showing additional
pictures of the construction and the
model operating