Hi Sebastian,
My son and I purchased the 46715 a few weeks ago at the Big E show in Springfield MA. We did a few tests of its functions using the Mobile Station. First we had to delete one of the locos due to the 10-decoder limit (not the fault of the 46715). I was unable to get the MS to "recognize" the 46715 so reverted to using its preset address of 77 and using that to set it up on the MS. I don't have the Central Station, so can't tell you if it would work better with that controller. I think that it would be easier to control using the 6021 rather than the MS, but ours is packed away right now. Because the functions don't show up on the MS, one has to do trial and error to determine which button raises the boom, which one raises the cable, and which one rotates the crane. It should have good play value for my 8 year old son once we get our new layout built and relearn everything we tested. We'll have a nice salvage train once we combine it with my old blue crane with the hand crank.

Right after our "road test", we dismantled the tabletop layout and packed everything up to permit some construction in the room that will house our new layout. I hope we can get back to the model railroad in early March.

Regards,

If you have an Intellibox you may like controlling it with from a computer.. see http://layout.mixmox.com/1/mobile_crane

You can't do two functions at the same time.
It's ok, not one of the best items M has released. Watchout for the string which raises and lowers the crane. its only thread and can jam or break.

Mine works just fine, i'm just a little disapointed about the lifting-strength of it.
Can't handle much..

Michael

lifting capability is almost zero. I tried to lift the empty plastic crate that comes with the center depressed car and if the boom is away from the track, the crane will topple over. The crane has no stabilisers and is not heavy enough even IF the motors were stronger.

I think, for that price, thats all You should expect. It is just more a show then
working machine. I still working on something to stabilies, but the right idea is
still not working out.
But I like that little wonder anyway !!

From sunny CA,

Rainer

Hi Sebastian,

it is simply a great toy and nice to play with!!!

Here are some pictures which should give you some "taste" of that.





To get the corresponding Central or Mobile Station screen/function display you simply chose product #49981 and change its adress to 77.

Lutz,

How do You get this nice pictures in Your messages ?
I tried and I can not get it ! If it is not to complecated, can You explane ?

Thank You and there are a view more people who like to Know, it can not only be me !
Sorry, for getting a bit of the issue !!

Rainer

Hi Rainer,

there's no need to have your own webspace for pics.
Just look for http://imageshack.us or other providers where you can upload your pics free of charge and then place the link here.
That's the way Lutz and lots of others do it around here.

Hi Rainer, forum,

the reason why I prefer posting most of my pictures using the (free of charge!) ImageShack facility is quite simple.

I can place the small picture (i.e. thumbnail) within the text are which doesn't take much space (and loading time for those who don't have yet DSL or similar "light speed" PC connections.

By clicking on the picture as Nevy explained, you'll still be able to both view and download the full size picture, if desired.

I also made a mistake in the past by placing too large pictures within my message, but with the "friendly help" of other forum members I stopped this very quickly!

One more little hint (also provided by another member here): If you put the thumbnail picture url in quotes, only the thumbnail will be shown instead of the complete link; like this one below ("URL" and "IMG" were substituted in this example by "abc" and "xyz" for visibility):

[abc=http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=briefglmaerklinkingsbrilx0.jpg][xyz]http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3097/briefglmaerklinkingsbrilx0.th.jpg[/xyz][/abc]

[abc="http://img225.imageshack.us/my.php?image=briefglmaerklinkingsbrilx0.jpg"][xyz]http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3097/briefglmaerklinkingsbrilx0.th.jpg[/xyz][/abc]

Excellent crane,Lutz.

Hi all,

My wife got our kids and me one for a gift. They haven't seen it yet but I just had a quick test.

Here's my emoticon

Sure it's noisey, and a little hard to control (at least with a 6021). But those are inconsequential to the unadulterated pleasure of watching it swing and raise the boom and hook. Can't wait to show the kids tonight. We'll have to make some containers and be careful of toppling over....boy this is going to be fun.

John

If you got the crane, then it is a fair trade!

Per.

P.S. Sorry [:I]