Large Scale Central

McKeen car

Modeling
#1

I got this McKeen car from Robert’s Lines, he did the Zephyr I have and my metal streetcar. Bob always does his models in metal, has done mostly Standard Gauge cars over the years but had some kits that were in 1/29. Made of metal of course! He’s a nice guy, made a few of these awhile back and I finally broke the bank and got one, may spring for the trailer soon also. You get the metal shell with the pilot. Some simple seats are welded inside and brass window frames. He has some original run FA’s for $100 and I got one for the trucks to power this. will part it out for other trains. Interior will go in the E-7, once I chop it down some.

I did a plastic model of a McKeen car years ago-my first scratch build. Pix on my web page I think. This one will go on the back burner for awhile(I hope!) while I finish up a few other things first. http://thescrr.com

#2

Jerry, that looks like an interesting project.

Those round windows have given me an idea for my kit bashed ICE train.

#3

What a fun project Jerry, I love that car. Here’s a short video I took a couple years back, while they brought the V&T’s version out of the NSRM shop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYOq-CD0zoU

Those portholes, the shape, all the woodwork, and brass details really make this a ship on rails.

Looking forward to watching your project!

Cliff

#4

I followed that online Cliff. So sad only one is left.

#5

Jerry, How will you do the front truck? It’s a tad cluttered as I remember.

#6

Jerry Barnes said:

I followed that online Cliff. So sad only one is left.

Sad, but I saw pictures of one in a rail yard in Australia. It was badly neglected, but one can hope someone finds it before its too far gone.

#7

John Caughey said:

Jerry, How will you do the front truck? It’s a tad cluttered as I remember.

I’d like to know as well! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

For the V&T’s, they couldn’t restore the original (gas?) engine, I forget why. So a newer one replaces that, mounted right over the lead truck just like the original.

That star-disk thing really puzzled me, because it wasn’t spinning in a manner synchronous with engine or wheels. So I asked Wendell Huffman (the curator of history there, who’s driving in the video) how that disk was linked, and he said it’s not linked at all; they put in a little motor makes it turn. But originally, it was part of the drive train, I suppose like a small flywheel.

That said… are you going to make the wheel spin somehow, Jerry?

#8

The interior is beautiful, with all the woodwork and brass. Plenty of opportunities for detailing, if that’s your interest.

#9

Wow! What a fantastic interior picture! Truly of another era. Thanks for sharing.

#10

Kinda Jules Verne-ish, isn’t it?

#11

It really is, David.

BTW Jerry, I found this brief Aussie operating manual for the two McKeen’s they purchased, which has a few interesting diagrams at the end.

Mckeen manual

#12

Before you decide to take one on a spin down the rails, be sure you have mastered the application of the Octoroon Clutch (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

#13

Front truck will just be the Aristo block, used it on my old plastic one and it’s been fine. Might see about adding a small wheel to the outside.

Is there a McKeen car still in Australia then? I know they had two. Read someplace of one in Alaska, or was that just the trailer?

#14

Bob still has a few shells left to sell. Someone posted a link to a supposed ‘history’ of Robert’s Lines . Bob said the guy that wrote the history never contacted him and it is full of errors. He is still selling stuff, if you are interested. Here is his statement about the fake history.

Jerry:
Someone, without contacting me to obtain the true story from me, decided to take it upon themselves to be the authority on Roberts’ Lines. I have seen this, and truly wish I knew the person who wrote it. The guy does not have his facts straight, and has no right to take credit for his little article. At the very least he could have included his NAME so people could question him. It really pisses me off!

This has been on the internet for a couple of years now. And who is he to say Roberts’ Lines is no l No wonder people have stopped contacting me for orders!

Bob

#15

Does he have a website?

#16

Was wondering the same, David.

Here’s the contact info though,

Roberts’ Lines, PO Box 96, East Rochester, NY 14445-0096, (315)986-1365, [email protected]

That’s from the offensive article, which (I think) is this one (Jerry, please correct me if I’m wrong):

http://www.tcawestern.org/roberts.htm

#17

Cliff Jennings said:

The interior is beautiful, with all the woodwork and brass. Plenty of opportunities for detailing, if that’s your interest.

OMGram…Stay on focus Rooster…you did not see this!

Good thread guys!!