1:35th TACL rail tractor

[Bernhard]

Unfortunately I had to realize that the quality of the kit is not always the same. The parts are obviously sometimes cast in older, slightly damaged moulds. The casts must then be repaired and reworked. Also the gas tank is always sitting slightly slanted on the drive block. This can only be hidden by mounting the rear axle at a slight angle.
Despite everything, for the 1/35th scale the model is not too bad.

[Bernhard]

Now the model can finally be painted and assembled.
Let's start with the primer.

[Bernhard]

Originally the rail tractor was painted orange, possibly because that was the standard color of Fordson tractors at that time. During the restoration the tractor and the chassis were then painted green.

After the painting work the first thing to do is to build the running gear into the lower part of the frame.
The chains look even more realistic because of the paintwork.

[Bernhard]

Now the first parts of the brake system are installed.

[Bernhard]

Then the roof is mounted on the upper part of the frame.

[Bernhard]

The tractor will also be painted...

[Bernhard]

...and then everything can be provisionally stacked.

[Bernhard]

Cover boards are mounted on both sides.

[Bernhard]

Furthermore the two builder plates are still missing.

[Bernhard]

The largely finished model seen from below.

[Bernhard]

The last detail: the extension for the starter crank.
I had to build the universal joint twice, because the first version was a bit too big.

[Bernhard]

And so the work is done.
The tractor sits slightly off-center in the frame. This is also the case with the prototype.

[Bernhard]

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[Bernhard]

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[Bernhard]

The brake lever seems a little oversized. But that also corresponds to the prototype.