Large Scale Central

Crown Willamette Paper Co. #3 tower skidder-build log

Modeling
#1

Now that the backdated shay project is finished I have decided to build a tower skidder. Crown Willamette Paper Co. ordered the tower skidder on August 12, 1926 and was delivered on a barge to Cathlamet, Washington on March 27, 1927. The skidder was listed as having a 100 ft. tower, with overall height from railhead to the top of the tower being 107 ft. below is a link to an HO model of this skidder in its as built configuration http://www.mb1q.com/modelle/eisenbahnen/waldbahnmonster_in_h0/willamette_tower_skidder/index.html the skidder was later rebuilt and looked much like a Lidgerwood skidder when finished. Below are a couple photos of what I have started. I have used some channel iron from the scrap pile for the frame rails, a 1:20 scale figure stands next to them to give you an idea of size

and here is a mockup of it with a loading boom on the front. frame is 28" long, with an overall length expected to be around 45"-48" with front boom installed.

I will try to post more on the framework soon. To be continued…

#2

I can’t wait to see this thing being built…:wink:

#3

Wow…having been next to the Ligerwood they have at Cass…I can say its most impressive…

#4

If Aaron does real good with this, then he can build my container crane… :slight_smile:

#5

An ambitious undertaking to say the least. I’m looking forward to this build Aaron

#6

Wow, that thing is going to be HUGE - If my guesstimate is close, the tower will be almost 5 feet tall :o Looking forward to this build.

#7

Jon?? 5 foot is a midget compared to Aaron… :slight_smile:

#8
Jon Radder said:
Wow, that thing is going to be [b]HUGE[/b] - If my guesstimate is close, the tower will be almost 5 feet tall :o Looking forward to this build.
Jon, you are pretty close- my measures show it coming out at 4'-5 1/2" from the railhead, should make a good armrest for me :) Andy, next time we need a challenge for your ops session I'll bring this into your yard ;)
#9
Dave Marconi said:
An ambitious undertaking to say the least. I'm looking forward to this build Aaron
Yea, What he said, times 2
#10

This is going to be absolutely awesome. Do you have any actual drawings or diagrams to work from or is this more of a freelance thing? Either way, it is an ambitious undertaking. I will be watching with interest.
Ron

#11
Ron Spencer said:
This is going to be absolutely awesome. Do you have any actual drawings or diagrams to work from or is this more of a freelance thing? Either way, it is an ambitious undertaking. I will be watching with interest. Ron
Ron, right now I am going by some line drawings from a back issue of Timber Times magazine and some prototype and model photos. I have found a source for some more detailed plans for it but I havent ordered them yet.
#12
Aaron Loyet said:
Jon Radder said:
Wow, that thing is going to be [b]HUGE[/b] - If my guesstimate is close, the tower will be almost 5 feet tall :o Looking forward to this build.
Jon, you are pretty close- my measures show it coming out at 4'-5 1/2" from the railhead, should make a good armrest for me :) Andy, next time we need a challenge for your ops session I'll bring this into your yard ;)
I got some steam power that can move it too......
#13
Bart Salmons said:
Aaron Loyet said:
Jon Radder said:
Wow, that thing is going to be [b]HUGE[/b] - If my guesstimate is close, the tower will be almost 5 feet tall :o Looking forward to this build.
Jon, you are pretty close- my measures show it coming out at 4'-5 1/2" from the railhead, should make a good armrest for me :) Andy, next time we need a challenge for your ops session I'll bring this into your yard ;)
I got some steam power that can move it too......
I think a 4 trucker would look good pulling it! Look out Andy more shays on the Bluestone Southern ;)
#14

:slight_smile: Aaron, anytime… :slight_smile: Anytime…

#15

Update: Boiler is starting to take shape. by looking at the line drawings I have it appears the boiler would have been around 6’ diameter by about 15’ to the base of the stack. While looking for a base I ran across an empty 23 oz. soda can that comes out almost perfect to this with little modification. Here is an can next to the boiler that is under construction. the boiler flares out at the bottom around the firebox area, for this I used a 3" piece of pvc pipe about 4" tall

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt1003.jpg)

here it is sitting on the frame. I used a funnel for the top of the boiler. It is sitting next to the backdated shay to give an idea of size at this point.

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt1006.jpg)

Next, on to “riveting” the boiler and back to the frame. More to come…

#16

This will be a static piece once finished, Aaron ? Or do you have the clearance to run this on your RR ?

#17

Nice material use!
:slight_smile:

#18

Update: here it is after a few hours and 243 rivets later. the smokestack has been added as well. the boiler now stands at 11 1/2" tall.

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt2002.jpg)

Dave: so far this will be a static piece since the railroad hasn’t been built. However when the railroad is built it will be built to acomodate it and a few camps will be added to park it and load logs for operating sessions. more to come…

#19

Update: more boiler work done. this morning I managed to build the firebox doors

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt3004.jpg)

I also managed to built the spark arrestor for the stack. this was made using pvc rings at the top and bottom with metal strips holding them together. I then wrapped it in mesh and used styrene strips around that

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt3005.jpg)

and here it is put together and primed

(http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s414/trainbuffjr1/skidderboilerpt3008.jpg)

#20

Now that’s impressive.