Large Scale Central

Wacky Freight Motor FINALLY coming together

Modeling
#1

Two years ago (!) I started working on a model of this:

Which the local and shambling Washington & Old Dominion RR used to haul freight around Arlington, VA. It lasted into the 1940s. Yesterday and today I FINALLY got back to work on it. I ran into a problem I couldn’t solve, and finally I figured out a way around it.

It’s going to get trucks and sideframes from a Hartland interurban. The hard part will be the railing–I’m not sure how to do that. I’m thinking make a wooden jig, and solder wire together. It still needs a headlight and bell, and that odd box on the front porch, and It had a coal stove inside it, and two motor control stands, and a wooden bench. It needs to be spruced up before painting, but I can see the end in sight I’d REALLY like to model the guy in the beret. never tried a figure before

#2

Now that looks terrific! I was wonderin what happened to that thing…:wink:

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/chat/emoticons/good.gif)

#3

Mike, izzat a beret or a golf cap? Could be either, I guess. Can’t wait to see the finished product. making a jig for the railing is probably the way to go.

#4

Looking good Mike. I remember the project, but can’t remember the problem that derailed it. What was it, and how did you solve it?

#5
mike omalley said:
Yesterday and today I FINALLY got back to work on it.
Did you finally get tired of me asking about it :D Looks great so far. Ralph
#6

That’s a wonderful job Mike. You’ve captured the prototype beautifully.

The cap isn’t a beret. I don’t know what they’re called but they were almost a uniform requirement of the San Francisco Longshoremen in the thirties. An old friend of mine, now deceased, said the union members all wore white ones when they marched in the labor day parades. He was present during the battle of Rincon Hill in the city. That type of hat was also widely used by teamster truck drivers in the thirties and forties. One driver named “Whitey” that drove for my dad’s cabinet shop used to wear one also.

#7

Mike, that is so cool!

#8

Looks nice.

Take a look at the Plastruct line of pipes and joints. If you don’t really need brass, it might be a whole lot easier than soldering.

#9

Or a section of rabbit/varmit fencing. The railing is pretty squared out and straight forward. I too forgot about that critter Mike.
When will it be done?
:wink:

#10

David Russell said:
Or a section of rabbit/varmit fencing. The railing is pretty squared out and straight forward. I too forgot about that critter Mike. When will it be done? :wink:

Good idea! You can use hardware cloth…

(http://www.jbrr.com/assets/images/IMG_0911.jpg)

#11

…winking…

#12

Richard you are right about that hat–it’s a working man’s cap, seen in a million movies–thanks for reminding me.

Tonight I managed to solder up part of some rails–it does not look good. My soldering skills have gone from “non-existent” to poor.

Bruce I’ll look at plastruct–I always find it a little hard to figure my way around their stock, but if they have pipe and fittings it’d be great

#13

Hey, I missed a post. Hardware cloth–that might work. The piping on the prototype is really pretty fat.

When will it be done–maybe another two years!

#14

Mike,
I’ve never been able to find what I want from Plastruct’s web site.

Best way to deal with Plastruct is download their catalog. It’s a PDF file and you can scroll through the parts easily. Then go to the website and type in the part number.

#15

Mike… it’s really taking shape… Wonderful work…

#16

Thanks all. I found an unused birdhouse under the deck, with wire mesh on it that ended up working pretty well. Slapped some paint on it the model, and some lettering done on the Cricut machine. I think I’ll have to re-do it:

(http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/lownote/wod26painted.jpg)

I can’t finish it though-Hartland is out of stock on the motor blocks/sideframes.

#17

DUDE!!!
A very unique unit.
Did the painter slip when he did the “S” ? :slight_smile:
Looks good Mike,nice solution too the railing!

:wink:

#18

That’s very cool!!!

#19

I have a couple books on the W&OD and one of them includes this two axle caboose:

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lownote/_forumfiles/wod502.jpg)

I had an old aristocraft track cleaning car around so I decided to make a fast and dirty copy:

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lownote/_forumfiles/WOD-caboose.jpg)

All I did was glue some scribed wood panels to the side and add a wider roof. Cut some new windows and added frames. The lettering was done again with the Cricut. I’m figuring it out slowly, and I made the letters overlong on purpose. It ought to work with any kind of vinyl–the thinner the better. Cricut brand vinyl is 3 mil., I think. Contact paper would probably work. I’ll need to see if it’s thinner. I finished the freight motor, except for the motor blocks, which are on order:

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/lownote/_forumfiles/wodpair3.jpg)

#20

Dude! That is so nice. I wouldn’t change a thing, even that errant “s.” It lends character to a character. Bravo Zulu!