When this 1/48 scale Hetch Hetchy Dolbeer kit came out in the 70s, I was reading books about California logging and particularly West Side Lumber Company, and became intrigued by donkey engines of any kind. This one is a favorite.
I copied it best I could from photos in books. There is a photo in "They Felled The Redwoods" by Hank Johnston. There appear to be no two alike since skids, water tank and parts were often made in the backwoods.
Nice kit of styrene, crisp metal castings, wire and wood for a basic skid. These skids are made from balsa which I always have difficulty staining. I like the enclosed gear box although it is also cool to see the gears. I like the seat made of a tractor seat bolted to pipe screwed into a T screwed onto a pipe U bolted to the skids but not easy to see in these photos. Stuff like that is always fun because even donkey punchers need a seat so improvised. Spark arresters varied greatly but I copied the one in the photos using brass screen and styrene.
Sierra West and Wiseman have kits in 1/48, and Alexander Scale Models has a kit in 1/87. I think Ozark Miniatures has several kinds in larger scale (like G). Charles Brommer used to offer a 1/48 kit, which I think is the Sierra West kit now.
Lab-dad recently built two perfect Dolbeers. (Railroad Line Forums-a tale of two Dolbeers-O scale) Top quality workmanship and weathering, Marty, I salute you. Donkey punchers and whistle punks rock.
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Max making mockery of mock-ups in MI
It never fails to astound me how many people here do not read my publications yet enjoy the courtesy of my forum. Max, Marty's models appeared in my Logging Annual a couple of years ago. Unless you simply don't remember, it would be polite of you to buy the PDF. -- Russ
And, yes, I'm grumpy. Wouldn't you be if it were your forum?
You are a hard sell, Russ. Ok, fine, I bought a few more of your rags. Just what I was afraid of, I am getting suckered back into this model building stuff by reading them this morning. Now I need a Surrey Parker and to weather my garage like Krakow's. You win, I go play models now.
Max just Max.
I remember when Max built this donkey.
I had built one also but I built mine straight out of the box and it looked like something straight out of the box.
When Max built his version, it was one of my first realizations about the difference in his model building compared to mine.
Max is one of those rare talented people who produce true works of art.
I learned a lot from Max but I never learned how to be a true artist.
Thank you Max!
Nice job!
I love donkeys and have all (that i know) Charles Brommer made.
I still need to build the Washington and really want to soon!
Marty
This is nice! Gordon Cannon was another excellent pattern maker.
I blended the Brommer and the Cannon (Hetch hetchy) Dolbeer kits. Always fun to work with well done parts.