Burro Crane Introduction

The Burro Crane motorized unit was first created by Lionel in 1956.  After 1957, the Burro Crane did not return to Lionel’s lineup until 1988.  Then again in 2006, the Burro Crane was reintroduced as a near replica of the original.  Since that time other versions of the Burro Crane have been created using a variety of road heralds.  The version used for this build is the version from 1988.

1956/1957 #3360 Burro Crane (yellow boom, 3360 cab numbering)
1988 #6-18402 Burro Crane (silver boom, 18402 cab numbering)
2006 #6-28414 Burro Crane (yellow boom, 3360 cab numbering)
2003 #6-31706 Union Pacific Burro Crane Set (gray boom, no cab numbering)
2008 #6-28422 Pennsylvania Burro Crane Set (green boom, no cab numbering)
2010 #6-31774 Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Burro Crane Set (red boom, no cab numbering)

For the Ultimate Trainset build, the planned modifications are as follows:
1) non-operating couplers converted to operating couplers controlled by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
2) forward and reverse operation converted from a switch on the side of the car to an E-unit
3) raising / lowering of boom converted from hand operation to motor driven and controllable by the ECU
4) cab rotation control converted from a switch on the car to ECU
5) raising / lowering of block and hook converted from a switch on the car to ECU