Here are some photos of a 'detailed' version of the Tri-ang dockside crane that I cast for my own use a few years ago.

Whether you can do this sort of simple casting work yourself depends on how 'handy' you are with tools and if you are a modeller of average, or above, capability.Casting hot white metal is inherently risky and if you're not confident it's not something you should try.

However, if you are a competent modeller and have access to silicone rubber and white metal (I'm in the UK so there's no point in quoting a UK supplier) making a simple two-part mould and casting models from it is straightforward.

What I did was first to adapt the old Tri-ang crane to a stand-alone mount then make a mould of both pieces. I could have detailed the 'legs' of the crane but chose not to. I adapted the jib as shown with plastic strip and filed the over-size pieces to a better configuration when they had set firmly.

Then I made a mould using this as a pattern.

The end result is not a 'finescale' model. The 'detail' is a little clunky, but it suits me. Casting by hand takes practice and patience, but the results can be very pleasing. These cranes must be stuck down to any display as they fall over if left unsecured.

I have added a shot of some reach stackers, also home cast.