My next neighbor found this at an Amazon returns store and gave it to me since our layout is HO. He likes trains and comes over every once in awhile to check out the progress of our layout. This was one of those extremely toy-like log loaders that Walthers imported. So I decided to turn it into a crane. * There's a big round knob on the right side of the cab (already removed) to raise and lower the boom. *There's a toy looking lever that actuates a metal rod to open and close the log jaws (also already removed) * The log jaws are sized for O scale...also removed * The stake pockets stick out over a scale foot and are about a scale 6" thick (already filed down) *each piece in the boom lattice work is WAY to thick. Other than replace the entire boom, there's not a practical way to fix that *diesel exhaust instead of steam (per suggestion on the forum) * filed down lattice work in boom to make it not look so toy-like. * got rid of non-existent rigging and added numerous pulleys for rigging for lifting and raising and lowering boom * added lifting supports on roof (in real life they would attach inside) * got rid of molded grabs and added free standing grabs at cab doors * modified skid to become the actual car deck and installed trucks. Still have to figure out how to mount couplers and shim them to height It's almost ready for paint. But that won't happen until my shop is significantly warmer than 40 degrees (that's all the space heater will do). My wife gave me a spool of fine dark gray thread that looks very much like cable. Finally, since this is sort of a joke MOW car, the manufacturer name on the boom is going to be Tonka.
After looking at a bunch of boom tender photos, I decided to put a toolhouse and fuel tank on the tender. There's plenty of room, so why not... The easiest method for me to make curved ends on tanks is to put a plug in both ends, fill it with spackling compound and file / sand to the shape you want after it's thoroughly dry. There's not a proper compound curve I know of to fill the end of the tank (in this case, a piece of a CO2 cartridge). The platform for the crane is basically done--except for paint, rigging and decals. The end sills had to be scratch built out of styrene pieces.
Turning out really cool! In that last photo, I saw the exhaust muffler and for a few seconds I thought about a set of longhorn horns... ...it's getting late...
We do live in Texas!!! There's going to be a few odd things in this model, but most have some basis in prototypes...except for Tonka and Briggs & Stratton. For instance, while looking through photos of boom tenders, I found an ATSF tender that had a sliding / roller mounted man door on the end of the tool shed instead of a hinged door. The entire thing looked home made: the door, how it operated, etc. That's what my door will be like.
Got a bit done on the tool house and the diesel tank. Still need to mount the brake wheel and fabricate the mounting for the tank. Cut off the molded grabirons and put on free standing grabirons; cut off the stake pockets under the toolhouse; etc. etc. The tool house is completely scratch built. The sliding / rolling doors came from a picture in the ATSF MOW equipment book.
It's about ready for paint. Added the end brake detail (removed the brake wheel from the side of the flatcar and moved it to the end); dome, vents and fuel line to the fuel tank; stirrups on the crane base. Tom Holley gave me tons of ideas on this project. Thanks to all of you on the forum who have contributed ideas and humor. It's definitely been a team effort!!
Hockey! Though my Mom was a bigger hockey fan than I ever was. Saturday evenings, nobody touched the channel knob! The TV was hers and hers alone. But back then, the Canadiens actually played hockey... Canada also home of Red Green, Bob & Doug Mackenzie, poutine (fries with squeaky curd cheese and gravy... mmmm...), and back on train tracks, MLW!
Major thread drift...but here's my hot chocolate mug that I've had since 1998, when we lived in Texas the last time.
The weather was good enough to paint today, so the basic stuff is done. Lots of weathering; a few detail parts; and the rigging still to go. You can't tell, but the windows are even glazed.
Getting close...Still needs outriggers; more details on the tender; get the hook to hang straight (rigging cranes isn't my idea of a good time!!!); some weathering and the Briggs and Stratton and Tonka logos added. We bought a new lamp to add a little light for modeling and photographs in the railroad room. I now need a new white balance in the camera.