Large Scale Central

18 Ton Critter

Modeling
#1

Almost finished with my 18 ton end cab conversion of a HLW Mack. It has new end beams and detail, reworked cab, now moved back to the rear and a complete new engine/trans unit with gas tank detail, sanding boxes, new radiator and hood. I used the original air tank halves as the muffler. Even did a small air compressor out of a 1/24 scale motorcycle engine. I will post photos soon - about a week when she is finished. I am doing a booklet on her construction and weathered finish as well as a set of parts will be available in resin for anybody that may like to build one. Looks completely different from the original donor loco.

Would like to mention here also that the EBT cars in this forum look fantastic. Just shows what can be done if you put your mind to it! Great job!! Love them.

Tom Yorke

#2

Tom, I would like to see pics, please. Sounds interesting

#3
Marc Bergmueller said:
Tom, I would like to see pics, please. Sounds interesting
Ditto!

the Boxcab was a little outta my range for now, maybe this one will be a little less cash involved…

cale

#4

Cale and Marc,
I did manage to post a couple of photos on the yahoo groups 1:20.3 and my own Yorke_Kits group. They will be up on the website in a day or so, just as soon as my web master returns from his holiday. The loco conversion kit will be much less than the Box Cab because a lot of the original loco is used. Not like the Box Cab with totally new body. I’d post a photo here, but don’t know how to do it. If you send me a personal Email, I can send you a shot or two. Then maybe somebody can post here that knows the ropes. [email protected]

Cheers,
Tom

#5

"Cale and Marc, "

that looks weird…that is how my only brother spells his name…weird

cale, marcs’ brother

#6

The Nuns at the orphanage said I had another brother named Marc and one named … I can’t quite remember… started with a"C"…:slight_smile: I was born in good ole West Virginia, Wheeling, that is.

#7

Since I am a member of the Yahoo Group… Taaa Daaaaa:

and another view:

Love the use of the Harley V-twin below window–looks like a Twin Cam 88 to me:

Yes I will be interested in one of these for sure! cale

#8

Thank you Mister Cale! I still have a little work to do on her yet, but pretty much she’s done. The booklet (no binding so you can bind as you see fit) is done and printed. 19 pages of instructions, full size drawings, B&W and color photos plus complete painting instructions. This is the most comprehensive set of instructions I have done next to the Dixie Logging 0-4-4T of years ago. More photos to come soon on the web.

Tom

#9

Tom,

So you sell the body, all the parts and a complete set of instructions to create the wreck in the picture (said most affectionatly) from an HLW Mack? That is prety interesting. If not mistaken, I am already on your mailing list to receive the information when it is available. What time frame are you feeling this fits in? Modern time back to late 1930’s?

To other readers, does the HLW Mack run as good as the other HLW equipment?

#10

Ric,
That time frame is about correct. It is freelance, so there is some latitude, but that’s about right. Unlike the Box Cab, this one uses the motor block, frame and cab of the donor loco. You really need the whole Hartland Mack. Mine seems to run fine, but then I don’t really have the room or track to put it through its paces.

The conversion kit uncludes all basic parts either cast in resin or a few styrene sheets and strips. You will need couplers, any additional lighting you may desire and whatever interior pieces you’ll need except for a seat gauge cluster. The entire engine and transmission/gearbox/gas tank is included. Most of the parts could be used by an enterprising individual with another motor block and maybe a scratch cab. It would also fit on an Aristo Li’l Critter motor block, but you’d need to do your own frame/cab assembly. A lot of possibilities here with these parts.

I tried to be very careful with the instructions and especially the paint and weathering details. There’s a lot of reading to do and studying of photos, but with a little practice, it is really not that hard to do. The “wreck” (no offense taken) as you aptly put it is a lot of fun to do. I never really know how a project is going to turn out until its done. That’s part of the fun. As I explain in the instructions, early on you will think it isn’t coming out right. It will look downright awful! But that’s the way it is. It takes a while to “pull” the finish together. I used a different gray wash product for the loco. It reacted kind of funny. Not the way I would have expected, however, I made it work in the end by continuing to apply more gunk and several more very subtle colors. I liked the effect. I guess I’d use it again next time now that I know what I need do with it. Live and learn. Its fun to experiment. I would suggest a little practice on a piece of junk first like an old plastic 1/24 auto body or something. Even a sheet of styrene or piece of corrigated.

I’ll have more info on the website next week. I enjoy doing these projects and sure hope others like them too.

Cheers,
Tom

#11
Ric Golding said:
To other readers, does the HLW Mack run as good as the other HLW equipment?
My Mack beetles along very nicely, and I'm quite happy with it; as it's the only HLW loco I own, I can't say how it compares to their other models. I hope to acquire a few of their mechs to put under various locos I am imagineering -- unfortunately, the budget is largely imaginary right now, too, :( even though HLW's mechs cost less than most others.
#12

Wow, that is one sweet little “wreck”!! I may have to get me one of those.

#13

I’ve got a couple of rail buggies, a rail bus and a rail motor car. They all seem to be powered differently. If the HLW Mac is as good as the others, it should be great. I just don’t have any experience with that particular unit.

#14

I currently have 1 Mack; “Mighty Mack” as he is know around here…bought for the Christmas Tree from WST and after 2 weeks he died…Motor Block Shorting Out, 1 call to Phil Jensen at HLW the prob was resolved and MM was back on track in less than 2 weeks just in time for Christmas…

I plan to order a few more to bash(toms kit?/Battery) and 1 or 2 with simple Batt for the boys…push button “ON” with a few AA batts.

They ARE Rugged…surviving around this house is no small feat…nothing broken on or off-Nothing!!!..this is as good as it gets for the kids…Yeah I had a problem, thats another story, but I’ll buy more HLW Macks-pretty soon!

now if Tom would get us a price on the kit…

Happy New Year

cale

the other story…I think the Mack I received from WST had possibly been returned…the motor block assembly and surrounding retainers looked “messed with” Made Phil aware of this, he was very Gracious!!! Good Job HLW!!!

#15

I’ve had a mack for a while and thought my rust job on it was the best. Tom, I can’t say that anymore. My mack has run great, now its 6volt batt powered. I have an american for my daughter that burnt up in a week. Got to get a motor for it someday.

#16

As far as the Mack being “kid-proof” – it is in its original state. The plastic is tough! But, if you do with it what I have done, it isn’t “kid-proof” any more. Keep that in mind.I will send photos to those who requested them via Email. Yesterday I think bellsouth was out partying. I couldn’t do anything in my Email!!? Party today here, so I will be tied up all day very soon, but will get with the photos and pricing right after.

Cheers,
Tom

#17

Up until now HLW had a “Clear” Mack on their Specials Page for $35…but I just checked and it’s gone? The one I bought from WST was $43. HLW now has a 0-4-0T for $50 that’d make a nice little Euro or switcher engine…

cale

#18

added more photos above 4 total sent from Tom.

#19

Just a short announcement here that the webpage has been updated with all the info on the 18 ton Critter conversion kits wit hmore photos too. They will be in short supply by the end of this week and ready to ship as I am casting now. The booklets are ready to go right now for anybody who just may want that.

I have the production moulds for the Gable Bottom Dump Cars done and will start a run of those in a week or two.

Cheers,
Tom

www.thomasayorke.com

#20

Just to let you know, I am starting to ship these conversion kits this coming week. For a while they will be manufactured in small batches so will be in stock some times (like now) and then out of stock for a few weeks and back again. Some additional rolling stock is in development too.

Cheers,
Tom