Pretty but Dumb:

This model began as a sketch on a piece of paper. I was interested in building something more sculptural than the usual blocky Meccano constructions.On that front I think I succeeded. The sculptural quality of this model is not the only thing that sets it apart from the other models on this site; those other models are also different because they actually work!

After spending nearly a year tinkering with this model I have come to the conclusion that it would be best to simply start from scratch. I encountered numerous problems: securing the the large sprockets to the hoisting arm, getting the bend to work properly, keeping the bridge stable while lifting, etc.

As a result, I won't go into detail about the functioning of the mechanism. Instead, I will focus on a few of the flaws in the design.