I don't have a spot picked out yet. Thinking about it, but no conclusion. Has to be away from "civilization" ...

This is going to look great somewhere almost hidden on your layout, do you have a spot picked yet?

Drop axle or pusher axle both describe it well Craig. Looking forward to next update. 

Craig Townsend said:

No it was a good question. It's certainly stretching my modeling ability. This is only my second vehicle type model. If that drop axle was dropped, I would think it's a tractor as well but that photo to me seems that the axles is up. But I could be wrong 

No it was a good question. It's certainly stretching my modeling ability. This is only my second vehicle type model.

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Sorry for so many questions. Well, I guess if had read your post at 8:38 properly, I would have already known the answers to my questions   I would have lost money on that being a tractor-trailer.  Look forward to seeing your build progress. 

Dan Hilyer said:

Isn’t that an axle just behind the fuel tank?  Or is that wheel an optical delusion?

Yes Dan,

I believe the axle behind the fuel tank is what is called a 'drop axle'. Pete probably knows the correct term. I believe the idea behind it is that when the truck is empty, the axle is off the ground. When the truck is fully loaded, that axle is 'dropped' to spread the weight in order to provide better weight distribution. I believe the photo I posted shows the drop axle in the "up" position.

Isn’t that an axle just behind the fuel tank?  Or is that wheel an optical delusion?

Dan Hilyer said:

Craig Townsend said:

So now that I knew that this was just a cab and tank set up and not a trailer set up like I was thinking, I moved forward.

 

So, Craig are you saying this photo is of a tanker truck and not a tractor and trailer?

Yep it's just a single tanker truck and NOT a trailer. Most likely a 20-25' length tank. So these three are all similar overall designs.

Craig Townsend said:

So now that I knew that this was just a cab and tank set up and not a trailer set up like I was thinking, I moved forward.

 

So, Craig are you saying this photo is of a tanker truck and not a tractor and trailer?

I am glad you are getting the answers to your questions. I have no doubt your modeling skills are capable of producing it. Now that you know what you actually are trying to produce I think this qill.be a great model. 

I'm glad I have not been given a number. 

So friend #4 (Pete) messaged me today with more information....

I was concerned about the drop axle in the lead photo. When I originally saw the picture, I thought that the drop axle indicated that it was trailer/pup set up like you see at gas stations. Pete reminded me that a truck and trailer set up like that would be really hard for some tight farms. He suggested a 20' tank, to which I asked would a 25' tank be big enough to require the use of a drop axle. Pete with all of his knowledge driving trucks said yes a 25' tank would be appropriate for a drop axle set up like the lead photo. He pointed out as only a trucker would know that a heavy truck without a drop axle would overload the steering axle, hence the need to prove the drop axle. 

The auger was styrene tube I had on hand, not sure the size as I just grabbed one that looked close. As for that motor, its actually half of a transfer case box that I had in the kitbashing box. I have since destroyed it in the process of being removed, but the good news is I had previously made a casting of it for my Pettibone Speed Swing.

So friend #4 (Pete) messaged me today with more information....

I was concerned about the drop axle in the lead photo. When I originally saw the picture, I thought that the drop axle indicated that it was trailer/pup set up like you see at gas stations. Pete reminded me that a truck and trailer set up like that would be really hard for some tight farms. He suggested a 20' tank, to which I asked would a 25' tank be big enough to require the use of a drop axle. Pete with all of his knowledge driving trucks said yes a 25' tank would be appropriate for a drop axle set up like the lead photo. He pointed out as only a trucker would know that a heavy truck without a drop axle would overload the steering axle, hence the need to prove the drop axle. 

The auger was styrene tube I had on hand, not sure the size as I just grabbed one that looked close. As for that motor, its actually half of a transfer case box that I had in the kitbashing box. I have since destroyed it in the process of being removed, but the good news is I had previously made a casting of it for my Pettibone Speed Swing.

I think I want a crimper like that! Is the sheet metal or beer aluminum beverage cans it crimps?. I like the progress and how things are looking Dan. 

...and I'm done

Cutting everything

Eric Mueller said: Unfortunately, all our little motors died during our Summer Mini-Mik.  This lighthouse will not rotate.  That's OK.  I think we'll still make a reflector so it is at least unidirectional. 

Eric

 

Aw man. You know what would be really cool, if a suitably sized and configured good-quality wind-up mechanism could be had.

There's just something cool about "Ahoy mates! Assemble all hands to wind the lighthouse!"

(we didn't get to have creative writing group yesterday and my imagination latched on to this)

That is a beast!

Wow, that will be one cool looking piece of rolling stock   Are you going to gain any additional track clearance?

Day 2...

Spent Most of my time today again at the saw,  but I got all the lumber cut to size..   I just might have enough finish this beast.

  Spent more time cutting each of the 21 pieces for each of the 6 beams to exact size...   Tough work,, and my back is not happy bent over my little saw... but now it time to start assembly...    And WOW!  what a job it's turning into...  Of course the first one is always the hardest...   

This thing is turning out to be WAY BIGGER than I had thought.....  Thats a 36" section of track its setting on....

But I think it's way cool looking...  and sure glad that i'm committed to get this beast finished.

It dosn't look it but there is track clearance.

So tomorrow I start on making 5 more.

Stay Tuned...