As my first real project on LSC, I am kitbashing a Hartland Mack into a battery powered railtruck. The cab is a k27 doghouse, and the cowcatcher is also from a k27. The scale is supposed to be 20.3 but I kept the under scale Mack ac hood because I love the look of the old Macks. I am still struggling with what to with the back half of the truck. I will need to hide the battery and a small pot to control speed. In the photo I have an old cut down semi truck sleeper that I might use and dress up as a tank. I don’t want to build a box to hide the electronics. Does anyone have some suggestions? What have you all done yourselves?

Thank you

Welcome again Joel

Pic doesn’t work on my end but would really like to see it as it is you’re first real project on LSC! I remember mine and I bet others remember theirs as well!

Joe Loll said:

…and a small pot to control speed.

Just makes you smoke it faster. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Pic works for me. Welcome aboard.

https://www.largescalecentral.com/public/ynforum_attach/4e/4a/02/24606_5b21.jpg?c=e11c&fc='20180822_192546.jpg'

Welcome to LSC Joe!

Will be following along with your build to see what you come up with, looks like your off to a good start.

I also bought one of those purple beasties from Phil while they were on sale, and it has been sitting on the bench waiting

for some inspiration. Maybe your build will be what I need to get started(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif).

Again, welcome aboard.

Rick

Welcome aboard.

I have a smaller mack conversion based on an Ace Hardware mack truck (1:32). I’m aiming for a Pick’em up truck in 1:24. I have an On3 ditcher to hang on the back. Doubt if there will be room for much more than a reed switch for on/off.

I can’t find that thread…

What’s under your skirt? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)

Maybe you can hide tabbed batteries around the motor block.

For hiding the electronics - if you don’t want a box, how about a stakebed with the electronics covered by a tarp - or a passenger area with windows and the electronics inside that?

Here’s what I did with my Mack. You could hide battery in a trailer car. Mine is nothing but a platform on a single truck.

Joe

How about a fuel tank next to the cowl. Might be big enough to hide a battery.

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. John, I like the idea of hiding the battery under the skirt. I had seen that somewhere before, but I had forgotten about it. A 9v is small enough to fit on the rear end behind the motor block, but I’m not sure exactly how to fasten it in place. Bruce, I think I will try to go with some sort of stake bed in the back. I do not yet have the pot, so I will have to see just how big it is and how much room it takes up before I build the bed. I will probably use canvas to tie it up, but I am also considering wooden crates. Lou, I do hope to build a trailer after I finish the Mack, although probably not to carry batteries (I’m not really a battery car guy). Boomer, are you thinking of an aa size battery? I do what to include a fuel tank, I was thinking maybe next to the cab. I am currently painting the hood and the cab, and will try to keep you all apprised.

Cool - if the stake bed isn’t big enough, consider the bus…you’d need a truck and a bit of re-engineering, but this could work:

I may or may not turn my Mack into a railbus. However, I have 2 bachmann railtrucks and one I want to turn into a railbus at some point.

Ah, yes, the Bachmann Railtruck…one of my old favorites.

Let your imagination run wild when you start on that; I know I did! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

I was just looking at mine wondering if a battery would fit under the “hood”.

Lou Luczu said:

I was just looking at mine wondering if a battery would fit under the “hood”.

Yes…right next to the motor. Are you seriously hand cranking yours to start it ?

Huummm…never really considered building a rail bus myself (however I might)

Just looked under the hood. Grover find no motor!

Hi Joe… Just a couple of ideas. I used a Hartland kit car to build a battery/control trail car…

Motor car and Trailer

And a Mack bash… Battery Powered…