Tractor Loco

[marc_reusser]

Was digging through my hard drive, and came across these images of the initial construcion of this loco....Thought I would post them just for info/reference.


The "tractor" portion of the loco was constructed using heavily modified and reshaped parts from a 1/48 scale Bandai SdKfz.-11 half-track kit, as were the rear transmission and "tractor frame". The firewall was made from sheet styrene, and an HO boxcar brake ratchet mechanism enclosure. The transmission ia part of a Grandt Line O-scale caboose stove, and the floor plate is from an HO  Jordan truck kit. The gusset plates came from a Grandt Line Koppel ore car kit.

The loco frame was modified from a Grandt-Line "Battery Mine Loco"



A new deck for the loco frame was made from sheet styrene embossed with rivets using a NWSL Sensi-press. "Mounts" for the "tractor" were made from cut down Grandt Line D&RGW coupler pockets.





Smaller details were then added using strip and sheet styrene, a PSC brake lever, brass strip and wire. Additional rivets from Tichey were also added.  The white metal tank shape came from an HO parts scrap box.






Marc

[jacq01]

  Marc,

  what brand is the loco frame ? is it plastic.

Jacq

[marc_reusser]

Jacq,

It is part of a plastic kit from Grandt Line.

It is the kit # 3053 STORAGE BATTERY MINE LOCO KIT-UNPOWERED cost is 15.00 (it is towards the bottom of the page)http://www.grandtline.com/model_railroad/rolling_stock_and_locos.htm





A modeler, "Lutz", over on the German forum ModellBoard is using it to build a small loco inpired by those used by Weherhaueser Lumber Co. in their lumber yards. (in the images below it is still missing the cab, and additional small details)







Marc

[Nurser]

Marc, I used to work in Sontra, Hessen at the old copper mine and a neat little 2ft-ish loco was a roadside display on the corner of the Weissenhassel/Hornel junction.  There were other bits and bobs around the area like wagons and such.
I was wondering if you have any knowledge of/references to this line.  It's the one line that I could get interested in abroad because I was close to it for 7 months in 2000. 
The drive up to the Brodberg was on blue stone.  Alledgedly the byproduct of copper smelting.  The road to Weissenhassel was also called Kupferstrasse.  The ride up the hill on wet blue stuff was a hairy run. I had a Ford Ka (blechh!) on hire and used to thrash the ugly little mother mercilessly up there, but it never let go, to its credit. 
BTW, I can recommend Fred's little family run hotel in WH.
Hector

[marc_reusser]

Hector,

Unfortunately I am not familiar with this line...at least that i know of.....but it sounds very interesting. I am sure that somone on one of the German forums is probably familiar with it. I can check if you want.


Marc

[Nurser]

Marc, if it's not too much hassle. I wouldn't know where to start and my German is now very rusty.  I never was much of a German reader, but I could just manage a kind of chat with a patient person
Hector

[marc_reusser]

Some quick pics of the progress.....pretty much done with this, except for a small lever and it's trim detail at the left side of the firewall. I lost the damn part somewhere, and thus now have to meke one again...Grrrr!








Marc

[marc_reusser]

A more accurate photo/representaion of the colors. The other 3 Images were shot while overcast without proper white-balance adjustment.



Marc

[finescalerr]

Marc, that critter looks just hideous -- possibly the worst fiasco I've ever seen. What an embarrassment ....

Seriously, it is without question one of the finest 1:48 scale internal combustion models I've ever seen. (And I'm OLD!)

Russ

[marc_reusser]

Shucks...thanks... now your just making my cheeks blush!

[Krusty]

Shucks...thanks... now your just making my cheeks blush!

What he really means is: you've got until Friday to get the article finished....

[TRAINS1941]

Marc

I see you are renewing all kind of things, first it was the side-dump cars now the critter.  All of which are outstanding models.  So I must ask the questionis the car "Citeron" next to come up?  I don't think I ever saw that finished.
Keep the progress coming its good to see youback full time with us.

Jerry

[jacq01]

   Marc, 

   if you don't run trains, I do 
   I don't mind changing my logging project to include a grading scene incorporating
   your loco's and tippers. It would set the standard.........

   Jacq

[marc_reusser]

Thanks Guys!

Jerry; The Citroen revival is in the works....I am currently trying to wrestle through several issues on it:  I think I am going to have to suspend "Reality" for ease of mind and sanity, insofar as as modeling the drivetrain....the real car was front wheel drive....which would be OK if I model the car with four "rail wheels" in the same loc as the road wheels were....but I am sort of feeling that two rear wheels, and a 4-wheel front "truck" look more interesting.....but this means that the model would now be a "rear wheel" drive.....not a huge issue in "pretend model-land", and most modelers would probably not even know/notice....but I need to come to grips with it.  The other items are "wheel design"...I need to scratch some wheels that I feel look interesting and appropriate......and I am also playing around with the roof and guard details shown in the photo below...to make sure I feel happy with them.




Jaqc; I just couldn't do that to you...I would hate to be the one that ruins your proto-realistic logging scene with a flight of fancy rail tractor....especially one that would be so very out of your period timeframe....I would feel too guilty.


Larry;  Russ knows better than to expect an article from me...I cant write...I am illegitimate. Besides how am I ever supposed to remeber all the steps and techniques.....I can barely remember what i had for breakfast this morning. 



Marc