TWH 012 - Bucyrus 495HR Rope Shovel - ED Version
Model Review February 2009

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The Bucyrus 495HR ED version.

The giant inner box.

Sharp blue and white Escondida colours.

This version has warning notices in Spanish to reflect where it is operated.

The Bucyrus 495 Rope Shovel was first modelled and introduced in 2006 when it proved to be a popular scale model.  The original version was reviewed here, and this review is of one of the updated series first announced in 2008, and delivered in 2009. The earlier review is updated here to reflect the new model.

The 495 Series are high performance electric mining shovels, produced in two versions.  The 495HR modelled here is a hard rock version and is capable of excavating 100 tonnes of material at a time loading large mining trucks in two or three passes. The dipper (shovel) capacity is 61m³ (80yd³).

The new versions of the model are in various colour schemes of mining companies.  This ED version reflects the Escondida mine in Chile.  The mine operates in two locations in the Atacama desert and is the world's largest copper mining operation. Over one million tonnes of material is excavated daily, and more than 4000 people are employed.

This 1:50 scale model by TWH is made in China.

Packaging

Even in 1:50 scale this is a huge model so it is no surprise that it is delivered in a truly colossal box. The box is black with TWH and Bucyrus markings but in fact this is only an outer container because inside separated by spacers is an inner box which is a giant picture sleeve enclosing two expanded polystyrene trays.  All this packaging works well and the review model had no defects, or missing parts.  Care has to be taken removing the model from the box as there are plenty of separate pieces to the packaging and its worth marking these up as you go so that the model can be put back in the box again if required.  Also the model is secured by large ties to the tray underneath so it does not lift out as expected.  The ties have to be unwound to remove the model from the tray.

Included with the model is a 24 page brochure.  This has a couple of pages of facts about the 495 series shovels, but most is devoted to the history of the Bucyrus company and the entire product range.  It is an interesting read.

Separate from the model, two winding handles are provided together with a set of handrails which have to be fitted.  A simple instruction sheet would have been a useful inclusion with the model as would an unpacking sheet to describe how to get it out of the box.

Detail

Starting with the lower works, the crawler tracks are suitably massive.  The pads are large heavy links which are individually pinned together and are in black rather than the primer colour of the original model. Each set of tracks is carried on huge track frames which have various bolt, lifting eye and bearing details.  Between the track frames is some extraordinary detail and heavy construction.  At one end there are huge track drive boxes with heavy interconnections and various cables of different gauges and types. 

One item not provided on the ED version is the stinger electrical connection.  This is not included in order to reflect the real machine to which Escondida fit their own version.  Perhaps the aftermarket will produce an appropriate stinger, or it would be good if TWH could make available a standard stinger kit to collectors who would like to add one to complete the model.

Above the turntable there is a large slewing motor on each side of the model.  Although this is a hard to see part of the model without getting your eyes to crawler track level, the detail is outstanding.  Numerous cables are run and clipped at various points.  On one side the access walkway runs under the body complete with mesh floor and handrails and there is an adjacent radiator grille.

The main body of the machine is impressive.  Starting at the bottom of the cab side, a boarding ladder has excellent mesh tread steps and this detail is reproduced throughout the model together with yellow hand railing which is all in a reasonably realistic thickness for the scale.  Excellent quality graphics result in legible warning notices and these are sprinkled across the model.  On this version of the model they are in Spanish to reflect the Escondida mine.

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