Early Piggyback project (1940-1957) late steam early diesel & some of the very first 85-89' cars in 1957-1959!

Eric, It's good to see you are back. Enjoy your great work. Saw some photos you took at the Key booth at the National last week.

Erik C Lindgren posted:

Great video, Erik!

Jeff C

Erik C Lindgren posted:

Fantastic video Eric!!  Love those F units and the trailers are amazing!  You have a beautiful layout for sure!  

Erik, the PRRT&HS is coming out with a two volume series on Trailer Train, from it's inception to the current.  

The release notes indicate a lot of good insider info too. 

Rob: The books are out I have a set and so far they are awesome. 

Great news Rob, I will definitely get a copy. 

Glad you guys enjoy the videos. I need to make some more. 

Very inspiring!  I've always loved 50s TOFC. Nothing quite like F7s pulling a long line of trailers.   I'm getting ready to shift back to 1:48 after a couple years tooling around with 1:29 / 1:32 - this will be the blueprint for my first train.

I had a chance to build up several AMT TnT series 1/43 Fruehauf Z vans for a client. They are very large in my opinion. I gave several to Trinkle Trains a number of years ago that had some white metal tires and wheels that were a smaller diameter that helped in the overall reduction of the impact of oversized. 

The kits are very nice and authentic 1970’s gear. Way too modern for me and way too big as well. Still it’s a fun build and worth mentioning. 

rattler21 posted:

Erik,  I dismantled an ERTL trailer, painted it and applied the peel and stick corporate logo.  Lower photo shows where I missed aligning the waves.  Its been at least seven years, no idea who made the decals. Not a step deck furniture van.  I doubt if vans of household goods would be placed on flat cars because of the chance being in a classification yard.   John in Lansing, ILL

That’s nice John! 

Erik C Lindgren posted:

I had a chance to build up several AMT TnT series 1/43 Fruehauf Z vans for a client. They are very large in my opinion. I gave several to Trinkle Trains a number of years ago that had some white metal tires and wheels that were a smaller diameter that helped in the overall reduction of the impact of oversized. 

The kits are very nice and authentic 1970’s gear. Way too modern for me and way too big as well. Still it’s a fun build and worth mentioning. 

Nice kits.   IIRC there was an article years ago in I believe either MM or RMJ about using a table saw to cut down one of the 1:43 exterior post vans to 1:48 scale.  

I know I know not 1950’s but this is worth mentioning. I like these and the temptation to go 1960’s is high. I will throw together an AMT exterior post van without the table saw butcher to sort of look 1/48 see what they look like  

Here are a few more shots of some various builds on the AMT 1/43 vans. If you suspend disbelief for a moment they look very real and an excellent build. My client is thrilled with the look and excited to display his models in his office  

I do wish we could have an equivalent to Athearns HO models of these so common vans 1970’s/2000’s. I guess even these highly sought after models are hard to come by in HO. And get a load of what 1/160 has out of the box! 

Erik, amazing as always.  Love the topic, just caught up on the last 3 or 4 pages.

Erik:

Real nice my friend, but where is the smooth jazz?

Billy C

I finally got a 3D printed sample of the Kenworth bullnose based on a scan from the IXO 1/43, that was too large. Stock piled enough parts for the build. I’m excited 

Where are you sourcing your 3D printed truck parts from.

Gray Lackey

Erik C Lindgren posted:

I am working on one of these new Kenworth Bullnose tractors. They are a bit large unfortunately as expected with 1/43. I have not measured it however I’m confident it’s true 1/43. 

The trailer it came with seems a bit small for the tractor maybe it’s 1/48 or ?? -with these models it’s anyone’s guess “fit the box” I am very impressed by the model it’s beautiful and with some work I think I will make a suitable candidate for the highway dromedary truck I’m gearing for. I’m going to keep it away from the dock or foreground as its oversized. 

Im seriously thinking about sending a sample to a friend that 3D scans and produces files for 3D print  perhaps I can get it printed to 1:48. 

 

 

 

 

What did you use to make the brick paving? 

Is the wooden crossing made with the Scale University kits?

Home made strip wood planks with NBW detail. Bricks and concrete streets are foam core, invented by a Boulder MR club member. I have to write up his method. jefferson

Thanks Jefferson, I’ve neglected this old thread. I’m digging into my TOFC stuff again a little. I have still managed a few improvements along the way. 

@jefferson posted:

Home made strip wood planks with NBW detail. Bricks and concrete streets are foam core, invented by a Boulder MR club member. I have to write up his method. jefferson

Ever get it done?

@BobbyD posted:

Ever get it done?

He did I'm sure of it. I use it as well. Tedious but worth the effort.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

I know I know not 1950’s but this is worth mentioning. I like these and the temptation to go 1960’s is high. I will throw together an AMT exterior post van without the table saw butcher to sort of look 1/48 see what they look like  

Here are a few more shots of some various builds on the AMT 1/43 vans. If you suspend disbelief for a moment they look very real and an excellent build. My client is thrilled with the look and excited to display his models in his office  

I do wish we could have an equivalent to Athearns HO models of these so common vans 1970’s/2000’s. I guess even these highly sought after models are hard to come by in HO. And get a load of what 1/160 has out of the box!

The people at LIONEL can have these 40' and 45' trailers with rounded corners produced in the USA or Vietnam.

Andrew

As a last-gasp, desperation move to prevent complete insolvency some roads hyper-prioritized these 60's TOFC trains above all other rail traffic. Cool thing/era to model!

Thanks Jim, it's been a neat project. I've don't a lot since I was contributing to this thread.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

This has been fun still finding new sources of trailers. I wish we could see the trailers that Rapido is making in HO.

The following I have researched this is a conclusive list in 1/43-1/48-1/50 of 1940's-1950's era tractor trailers of what you are looking for. Revelll, Lionel, Weaver, and Berkshire Valley all produce trailers in stand alone and as kits.


1/50 Corgi Mack and van sets were made in a variety of liveries.

1/50 Corgi Mack Bullnose and trailer available in a variety of liveries


1/50 First Gear 1955 Ford tractor trailer sets. Lionel later used this tooling in their Piggy Back sets. This is not 1/48.



1/50-1/48 Lionel's Piggyback sets. The Ford tractor was a First Gear die cast 1/50 model as stated above. The trailers are spectacular.


1/48 Revell 1955 Bekins van with Kenworth tractor. A rare collectors item; to date the best stainless steel van ever done in o scales. Mold broke? Was history after 1956 I'm told.

1/48 Revell Mack Mobile Gas Fruehauf tank truck. Still around cheaply as it was remade in the 1990's.

1/48 Revell Honest John Missile carrier. The left over Revell Bekins kit became a flatbed. The fabulous Fruehauf stainless van body is gone.
Some examples of the elusive 1/48 Revell Bekins trailers I have rebuilt and improved and Don Mills Models custom builds.
1/48 Don Mills Models custom built 1952 Mack LT and Fruehauf Stainless 34' van. These are the best 1/48 1950's era tractor trailers I can find. Expensive and beautiful but worth it.
1/48 Don Mills Models 1955 Mack B73. Another fabulous 1950's 1/48 Tractor. Resin and white metal.
1/50 Spec Cast Mack tractor trailer sets. Available in a variety of liveries.
1/50 Speccast trailers are magnificent and HEAVY!
1/50 Matchbox Collectibles "Birth of the Big Rigs" collection. Three of these are out there. I prefer the Peterbilt.
1/50 Matchbox Birth of the Big Rigs Collection Mack
1/50 Matchbox Birth of the Big Rigs Collection Diamond Rio

That’s a Diamond  T 509 the year around 1947 it’s not a Diamond Reo. Diamond Reo didn’t come and play till 1967 when  Diamond T  and Reo trucks merged. I used to own a real 1.1 very early 1968 Diamond Reo road tractor.

Question: was it necessary to quote that entire message just for the last 2 pictures?  🤔

Editing a message is not difficult; heck, if I can do it, anyone can!

Mark in Oregon

PS: nice trucks, by the way...🙂

@Strummer posted:

Question: was it necessary to quote that entire message just for the last 2 pictures?  🤔

Editing a message is not difficult; heck, if I can do it, anyone can!

Mark in Oregon

PS: nice trucks, by the way...🙂

Hi @strummer ☺️  I am sorry about that; I ignored the Le Drenan repost since all he did was correct the data that I posted that was printed on the end of the box, does he like my project? I guess not since he never stated liked or disliked; I assume since he didn’t state his opinion he feels it’s less than his projects which I’ve always been very complimentary of, and they are spectacular; and obviously his knowledge of trucks goes way beyond any of us mere mortals. I mean Le’s right, who likes misinformation spreaders! Shame shame shame SHAME, shame on me. 😞 And then he self liked his post, 🤣

I agree with your request regarding reposting. I will go back and edit out the redundant data. I’ll edit my post and remove the photos and put note to see Le’s repost and corrections. I mean I assume he’s correct? His statement says he is and I am erroneous. 🤷‍♂️ The manufacturer of the model was erroneous too, no I don’t really care about trucks, not like that. 😉

Been working on some more trailers lately. Since I kicked my rail photography into high gear I’ve let these old projects sit on the layout. Well back to working again! I sure enjoy the hobby especially with friends! 😊

The models sure look good on the layout Mr Buttons! 👍😎👍

Some TOFC action on the High Plains Route

I love custom built model’s especially from master builders.

Mr Cliborn of Skillfingers Models built 2 of these fabulous Rock Island converted War Emergency gons for the late Jim Seacrest from Pecos River Brass models. They are fully reworked in brass exactly like the prototype. I was very interested in obtaining these fine one of a kind models since I first saw them when Jim first received them. It’s time to weather and finish them up. TOS at OGR will not allow us to share photos anymore of prototype since I cannot acquire any from 1953.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

These extremely interesting CRIP models were built by Chris Cliborn for Jim seacrest. And they are magnificent all brass rebuilds from Pecos River Brass’s prototype exactly as the 1:1. I could not pass them up.

Repost from a few years ago.

Ok, so I have some questions about the NYC & early TOFC... I know they invested quite heavily in the Flexivan service, but did they do cross line traffic with actual TOFC too? The info previously posted in this thread seems to insinuate they only ever ran unit TOFC trains too, so I’m wondering if the occasional individual TOFC car making an appearance in a regular freight train as in other roads is out of the question? Seems like at least early on that should have happened?