Thinking about coupling, and in view of the body overhanging the truck cars (??), I’ve decided to dispense with the rooster poles and make idler cars. These will be some unused Hartland mini flats, sheathed with a wood deck.
This will give me some space for props & stuff that need to travel with the VLNTC.
Some nice drumsticks there. 
Hubba hubba!
Your project is really coming together. The decking looks so good with the stain on it.
Finished the idler cars, basically framed decks set over the Hartland mini flats. BTW, this is what my work table usually looks like, after tidying up…
Making progress, the car itself is nearing completion. Got the handrails in (cables are in progress), installed couplers and smaller steel wheels (not sure why, but I had them, and the rust looks nice), and painted the trucks & undercarriage frames. Also put in tie-down eyelets, for whenever I figure out what the load is and how to hold it.
I gotta face the nugget issues soon… final shape, finishes, blocking, tie-downs…
Cliff,
That car just screams in need of a giant ear of corn or maybe a giant grasshopper all tied down.
Heck with a little whittling and some green paint that load would make a terrific giant tomato worm. 
Rick, those are great ideas for an alternate load. I’m running out of development time, but you made me look for something commercial. I mean, they make some pretty crazy stuff.
I looked for all you said, and also pickles (the yodling one is awesome), potatoes, and giant toy insects in general. Found 'em all; but none were near long enough (~18") and narrow enough (~3.5").
So if anyone has an idea, let me know, and I’ll entertain it for future haulage. I mean, revenue traffic is revenue traffic.
Baby sand worm maybe?
This might fit, but why the heck would someone manufacture it??
Great idea, Todd! Maybe a 3d printed toothy mouth and some dryer hose?
If you can find a big enough pickle, you could interchange with Dillsburg, PA. The home of the New Year Pickle Drop.
My idea would suggest you go with any of the first ideas. Or you better get that CAD software busy and work up a caboose to protect the current load.
what about converting the whole rig into a throne room for this guy?
that would not be whimsy - but at least wormy…
I’ve refined and secured the nugget load today, and it came out a bit different than expected.
When it came to town, folks were intrigued enough to at least show up.
Reactions were mixed…
… but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves one way or the other.
It seemed to negotiate the approx 2.5’ radius curves on the test track, though something in the caboose was rubbing (as heard on the video). Also need to work on the (Bachmann) couplers, at least one of which is way too droopy.
No way I’m going out in this weather for action shots, but here’s a brief clip.
https://youtube.com/shorts/O2MtFMpOcm0
By the way, all the credit for the gold chicken nugget goes to my sister Joy, who made the “nugget” and mounted it for my birthday a few years back.
I wasn’t sure if I’d enter the MIK Challenge this year. But when I saw Joy’s chicken on the wall, the plan immediately took shape. Which brings me to the completion of this build… which I promised would be pretty silly!
[edit] I just heard from my sis that the original idea came from Twisted Oak Winery in Murphys, CA (now closed). I feel a need to give them credit as well, because at my age, I really don’t want to get sued over gold rubber chicken nugget infringement.
It sure does, thanks Bob!
Well it ain’t me!
There’s been a cockup somewhere… 
ROFLMAO I laughed for a solid minute at this . Cockzilla!!! Now you need a siding to the KFC factory your going to have to add, hmm next year’schallenge???.
