Back in the day, a matched team (2 identical horses) was something the local farmer would be very proud of. In our model world, nothing seems to shout “toy!” quite like one… Since we have that show next Friday, Kim gave me one of my Christmas presents early… and told me “make something special” 4 Schleich Tinker’s Pony mares

In 1/24 those 1/16 ponies are some pretty darn heavy draft horses! Everybody does Clydesdales, but I’ve always had a thing for Belgians. So Belgians they will be… or maybe a cross of some variety since they have furry feet.

So out came the acrylic craft paints, camel, buttercream, and burnt sienna

If they’re gonna pull a wagon, they’re gonna need harnesses

I used vinyl stripe tape, I think it looks really good from 3 feet or so - which is about right - and much less expensive than the professionally made ones they sell, too. I need to make the bridles yet

As for what they’ll be pulling… you’ll have to just wait and see!

Very nice. Good job on the paint and harnesses. Very effective.

Doc Tom

You have made a splendid job with the repaints Mik: they look far better than the originals.

We await the pics of what their purpose will be.

I wish there were pictures of my grandfather’s matched pair of Belgians!

Nice work as usual Mik!

Well, I started on the load for these fine ladies today. Kimmee said ‘special’… And a Lindsey patent 8 wheel log wagon is certainly not ‘ordinary’

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/nsv_shm_lindsey_patent_dwng.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/nsv_shm_lindsey_ag_mus.jpg)

I figured while I was making one, it’d be just as easy to make two. The second one is slightly larger, so will be suitable for 1:20 and available for purchase (w/out the horses) if somebody needs a Christmas gift for themselves…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010001_01-1.jpg)

The wheels are solid, but sometimes loggers replaced busted wheels with them

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010003_01.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/wag01_5445a.jpg)

still lots to do, but it’s starting to look almost like a Lindsey!

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010004.jpg)

Mik, it’s amazing what you can build with just a few scraps… wonderful work…

Wheel team harnessed in and ready to work!

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010001_02.jpg)

simple wiffletrees

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010002-1.jpg)

Lead team harnessed.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010003.jpg)

Loaded and almost ready to head for the mill - I need to do the traces and seal the bottom of the plinth, yet.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010004_01-1.jpg)

Mik they came out really nice. They will look great on your layout. ant wait to see pictures of the X-Mas layout.

Looks good Mik. Can you explain what the wheel centers are made of in this pic ???

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/wag01_5445a.jpg)

Jon Radder said:
Can you explain what the wheel centers are made of in this pic ???

Wood - possibly a single slice from a butt log or built up from scraps. The grain is running crossways. so you're seeing the rotting end grain, which is why it looks funny

Mik said:

Jon Radder said:
Can you explain what the wheel centers are made of in this pic ???

Wood - possibly a single slice from a butt log or built up from scraps. The grain is running crossways. so you're seeing the rotting end grain, which is why it looks funny

Thanks Mik. Because of the rot it does look strange. Was hard to figure out in my head.

I also had a pair of cheapy hollow plastic Clydesdales that I’d been meaning to do something with… for about 5 years now.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/KGrHqZhQE6Z0GGyeBBOsHiutBHw60_12.jpg)

Since I was in the mood, they got a quick repaint and a very basic double box wagon in Birdsell colors.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010001_03.jpg)

The pair in natural light…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/P1010003_02.jpg)

Nice work!

Those prototype wheels are really strange. They appear to be made of short sticks of wood, bound up in a disc shape and wrapped with iron.

Those really came out nice.

You are 100 percent correct about the wheels. The would cut lengths of logs, wrap them in hot iron and then soak them to keep them from being set afire and expanded the wood to make a tight fit.

This is the 2nd Lindsey. I decided to try using wooden plugs for wheel ‘hubs’ just to dress them up a bit… I think I may add them to mine as well.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/wagons/PC130003.jpg)

I put this one up on fleabay… if it sells, maybe I can get Kimmee a bottle of wine for New Year’s Eve!