Large Scale Central

Doc Tom's "B'ar Ketchin' Car", MIK'S Build Challenge 2

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#21

To Catch a Devil

To capture a monster bear weighing up to 1,000 pounds would be quite a feat. And to do a live capture so that Colonel Townsend could get a 30% royalty fee at the Knoxville zoo was an even greater undertaking.

“Dead Fall traps” had been used in the 19th century. If the bear survived the crashing log at the entrance this type of trap might work.

“Look I want GOVOLS captured alive.” Colonel Townsend retorted. “Besides that darn bear would rip apart the logs and get gone.”

Preacher Dan, a, well read man, and quite popular amongst the mountaineers recalled the newspaper articles about the capture of man eating lions in Africa using an iron cage moved on a rail car. It was called the “contraption.”

From the 1996 movie “The Ghost and Darkness”, a depiction of the “contraption.”

[Youtube]http://youtu.be/iRdXH4qdZYk[/Youtube]

#22

Help from New Mexico

Col. Townsend called upon his shop crew in Townsend Tennessee to build a bear cage that could catch a monster.

At first they considered buying a German made bear cage on a dandy flat car they had read about.

“Too toy like.” groused Col. Townsend. “We will build our own.”

Relief arrived with a shipment from New Mexico to build a “B’ar Ketchin’ Car.” The boys poured over the plans from the venerable Mr Taylor who had helped them so many times before.

“I’ll bet that there is Ponderosa Pine from way out west.” One of the shop crew chirped. “What the heck is a pin nailer?” Another cried out. “I’ll bet they mean Pine Aler…….you know the beer that made the Rockies famous.” A third exclaimed.
Some how the project would commence soon.

#23

Nothing glamorous

This was the basic device. Capture and haul. If the bear was aught more than three times I think dad said it then the bear met a more permanent solution.

Dad’s only involvement in it was to check the trap. Fish and Game dealt with the bear.

#24

Devon Sinsley said:

Nothing glamorous

This was the basic device. Capture and haul. If the bear was aught more than three times I think dad said it then the bear met a more permanent solution.

Dad’s only involvement in it was to check the trap. Fish and Game dealt with the bear.

Thanks Devon. I think they call that a “conduit or culvert trap.” Here is a picture of one up in the Smoky Mountain’s National Park.

Rangers sure have some interesting work.

Doc Tom

#25

Looks like that B’ar is trying to figure out how the lock works…

#26

Bob “IA3R#7” Cope said:

Looks like that B’ar is trying to figure out how the lock works…

They are pretty smart and devious. And of course that b’ar is on the outside of the trap. Must have figured it all out.

Tom

#27

Tom, lived in Kodak, TN for about 10 years. I know all about those b’ars :slight_smile:

#28

Bob “IA3R#7” Cope said:

Tom, lived in Kodak, TN for about 10 years. I know all about those b’ars :slight_smile:

Suspect you have a few “tall tales” of your own to share. :slight_smile:

Tom

#29

And Their Off

Colonel Townsend Spoke to the boys in the shop on this momentous day: “Now y’all put the bottles and jugs down and try to give me a honest day’s work on this here the first day of the LSC (Loggers Sure are Cool) challenge.”

Han A. Barabara, the 15 year old new hire, had sketched up more drawings. “You mean we are going to build us a b’ar cage like this???”

“Or mebe this?”

Colonel Townsend,sighed, and again was glad he had decided to document the build with photos and…………. NO more drawings.

#30

Build it Strong

The Shops at Townsend got the word from LSC (Logging Supply Command) to start construction on the flat car/bear cage project . Col. Townsend told the guys, “Build it strong…we are going after a monster bear.”

Well weathered wood would be used throughout. Much like well weathered barn wood it appeared strong and tight.

Modeler’s note. The wood pieces were prestained with an India Ink wash in 90 % alcohol. The higher the alcohol content the less water and the less warpage of the wood.

Center Sills were placed to strengthen the frame. The boys never could figure out what a pin nailer was. Side and center sills were attached to the end beams with brass escutcheon pins and Titebond III wood glue. Everything looked strong and square.

To add further strength and heft you cannot beat steel. Steel bar stock was placed between the center stills. This gives the little flat car big guy weight and a strong back bone. That bear would not turn this car to splinters.

#31

Come on y’all

Just like his cousins in the Class I rail road business, Colonel Townsend envisioned himself as a “captain of industry”, a leader, a mogul, and a “rail baron.”

Well the boys at the shops had other ideas. They had all important rest breaks.

And bathroom breaks to tend to.

Colonel T. spent a great deal of his time pleading and cajoling to get the work done. This b’ar ketchen’ car would be no different. It took 2 days to get the decking on.

#32

Boomer K. said:

Doc

George Breece (President of Cibola Lumber) wanted me to ask you if your contraption will work for Chupacabra as we are being overrun by the durn things out here?

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140107020647/cryptidz/images/7/75/Chupacabra_1.jpg

If we catch one perhaps we can BBQ it…but pretty sure it ain’t gonna taste like chicken.

:slight_smile:

WHoaaaa. That is fearsome!!! Is that a real critter out in your neck of the beast infested woods???

My guys would have to get good and drunk to take that thing on. But they just might.

If the “contraption” works we can ship it your way to give it a go. Colonel Townsend wants royalties on any such critter caught and shown on the Discovery Channel. :slight_smile:

Doc Tom

#33

Looking good Tom. If you need to catch a bear just come to Jersey. See how easy it is.

(http://oi59.tinypic.com/1624d8n.jpg)

#34

Shawn (the CAD) Viggiano said:

Looking good Tom. If you need to catch a bear just come to Jersey. See how easy it is.

(http://oi59.tinypic.com/1624d8n.jpg)

Now that’s a cute cub. What did you cram in his ear?? Is a very sedated momma bear nearby?? Hope it is very very sedated.

Doc Tom

#35

Tom mom was hit by a car. We were relocating the cubs to another known den. Bears are known to take in other cubs. All bears get tagged for study. There were 4 cubs total.

#36

The teddy bear I got when I was about that size had a tag in its ear too…I guess that is how they come off the bar assembly line!

Cute little fella Shawn!

#37

Shawn (the CAD) Viggiano said:

Tom mom was hit by a car. We were relocating the cubs to another known den. Bears are known to take in other cubs. All bears get tagged for study. There were 4 cubs total.

Now that is sad. Thanks for looking out for the little guys. I did not know that the cubs could be taken in by another bear family. Nature has some splendid ways.

Doc Tom

#38

Need More Iron

With plans a brewin’ on a “contraption” to capture the pillaging giant bear GOVOLS, Colonel Townsend knew he would need iron and lots of it.

During the 'War of Northern Aggression" (y’all might call it the Civil War……wasn’t nothing Civil about it )

……Tennessee relied heavily on the iron works and shops in Birmingham Alabama.

Cannons, Cannon Balls, plate iron for “ironclad ships” and all such weaponry were produced down south in ‘Bama’ country.

It was with confidence that Colonel ordered up some of the best iron made in Dixie and requested several car lots to be shipped to East Tennessee.

Construction of the “contraption” would proceed apace with the best in Southern Heavy Metal.

#39

Mik’s Salvage Yard

Expecting nice new iron shapes,plate, fittings and parts the crew was perplexed when the shipment from Birmingham Alabama made it to the Townsend Tennessee yard.

Not the new iron creations they expected, but rather what one would call “junque.”

Seems that Colonel Townsend, ever the astute business man, saw a way to save money and purchased the old derelict iron pieces and parts from “Mik’s Salvage Yard”. Located in very rural Alabama and owned by the beloved Mr Allan Bupp esq. this salvage spot was the way to save hard earned dollars and get interesting bits and bobs that could be used on all kinds of rail road projects.

** These are photos from Aaron Loyet’s wonderful tribute to Mik in last year’s “challenge” entitled ‘Mik’s Salvage Company.’ I really enjoyed this build.**

The shop guys complained about the extra work involved in taking apart rusting metal and making it in to something presentable.

An interested observer watched the discussion between workers and management from the safety of the nearby woods of the Smoky Mountains.

#40

Roll Out

While not quite the shops of the American Railroading Giants.

The little car and locomotive shops of the Little River Rail Road fancied themselves as just as creative and industrious as the big boys. Thus it was with pride that they rolled out their latest creation the heavyweight flat that would be used to capture the menace of the Smokies,the monstrous bear GOVOLS.

The shop would next turn its creative energies on building the “contraption” that would ride the rails on its reinforced perch.