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

Yes, of course I know Marklin. But the "third rail" is very discret.

 

Marklin is considered as a toy not as model railroading.

 

I understand. I don't want to start a war too. I don't like wars. I try to understand why so much people is attached to the 3 rail system. For a french like me, it's surprising to see the number of 3 RL enthusiasts.

 

;-)

Thank you Erik.

 

Of course no war here.

 

I stop. Sorry.

 

Continue to show us your nice TOFC stuff.

 

Jack

Photo courtesy SP Trainline #108  (c) SP Photo - John R. Signor collection



Courtesy SP Trainline "A yard engine prepares to move two recently-modified f-70-7 flatcars loaded with PMT 22-foot trailers at San Luis Obipo in the early summer of 1953.  It is speculative that this might have been a test for suitability of the equipment and tie-down apparatus before the implementation of regular service. SP Photo "

The Lionel TOFC set in SP is fantastic. The PMT trailers are a perfect reproduction. A true bargain at $120 or so. Converted this model makes a brass quality 1/48 scale model worthy of any layout.

What a fantastic contrast between the "old" steam loco and the "new" and modern trailers on the photo!

Nice Erik!

 

I like this SP scheme. I've a DVD about the SP TOFC in the 50's (in color): "workin' on the Southern Pacific" by Pentrex.

 

We can see these tiny trailers and a lot of informations about the SP early TOFC. A very good DVD.

 

Jack

I'm still working up this project I've just been busy.

Great collection Erik!

 

Do you have one to sell to me?

 

Seriously: Do you know where can I find one please?

 

Thank you

 

Jack

What is this, from a color faded Ektachrome slide?

 

Erik,

 

Gorgeous work !!

 

Where did you find the Southern Pacific cars ?

       
       


Thank you Norman!

       
       


Yeah man!

Bob sent me an image of his latest addition from Lionel. The wabash is an attractive car.

Another possible carrier is West Coast Fast Frieght. Photo reference copyrights Thanks go to Ken Goudy, Stan Holtz, and Hanks Truck Pictures for the reference on another project early 50's tractor trailer. 

West Coast Fast Freight had a partnership of sorts with Watson Brothers of Omaha. Often these transcontinental vans were loaded on TOFC.

Does anyone know who makes nice 1950's tractors in 1:43/1:48/1:50? I've looked at several of the large internet diecast dealers and all seem to be much later models.

Hey I rember being a kid watching a train that scl.That came by every weekend it was called  the razzerback.Which was pulled by gp40-2 or gp9 or some times gp40-2s and with gp9.

Not being a 2-railer I just now looked at this thread.  Outside of a little bickering, this is great. And it finally answered a questioned I had about PRR TOFC operations in the late 1940s; there was very little if any.  I really want to thank Rex for posting that short history on TOFCs.  For now, at least, I'm no longer going to look for TOFC examples for my 1949 layout (nothing on it built after 1949).  Erik, thanks for starting it.

Gregg,

Here we go...

What you seek is difficult to do. As we all know it's either 1/50 or 1/43... In most cases it's ok. When it comes to tractor trailers 1/43 is outrageously too big; autos can be fudged a little even though I don't like too. 1/50 is a wee bit small. Unless you set one up next to a locomotive you really don't see it. Truth be known; 1/50 is too small but far better than 1/43.


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

       
       


I wish we could delete the bickering posts from this resource. Maybe the admins can clean it up for us?

I agree the bickering adds a unprofessional edge to this. The joys of the Internet.

Thank you sir for the comments.

Erik, spectacular post on the variety of rigs available.  Thank you very much for the leads!

Still ever so slightly continued work gathering trailers and reference.

Back to Ringsby...

1955-1963 scheme I'm told. "rocket" the nice lady at Ringsby gave me the "rocket" explanation was due to the government contracts hauling missiles and later Minuteman Missiles to the silos in the late 50's and 60's. Also is was a dual meaning "rocket freight".

The trouble is this neat scheme requires a vertical ribbed trailer of a unique design not exactly offered by the late Weaver. I could do a trick like another OGR mentioned and place a layer of styrene and add the ribs on my own. I tried it but I'm not happy. Let's look at these old Max Gray US Hobbies trailers.

They look good, and 1/48!



The trailers are almost a exact match. Not as tightly detailed as we are used to today; that can be fixed.



How about a test fit of the decals I printed back in February? Oh well I will reduce them in size. Should work fine. I will apply the decal to a fine piece of styrene and trim. These were separately applied panels with the branding applied. The vertical ribs work well with this look.
Upgrades to the wheels and tires are in order. Berkshire valley likely.

Good reference video worth adding to the thread

http://youtu.be/Id6WSO9lT5A

I am beginning the next phase building the jacks and chains for a recently acquired F39 model.

I will take some photos and see if I can get this done.

It's threads like this that bring me back to the computer I dropped out of internet forums a couple of years ago just lost interest.

I find this forum and particularity this thread, interesting and you are actually learning something.

If I want to hang out with my mates I go and have a few beers with them and talk about nothing and have a few laughs, a lot of people (not here) use railroad forums nowadays to do the same, talk about nothing or their egos.

I am glad that OGR have a great bunch of blokes and maybe ladies that actually want to talk about trains.

I admit I do like piggyback cars and have a few myself!

Keep up the good work.

Thanks.

Neville. (Roo)

 

Erik Really!  Not said often enough:  I am continually enthralled by the level of detail in information and scope and the mix of functional photo collage you bring to your posts for us!  They are at once entertaining and educational.

 

 

(Erik Lindgren (Right) & COSM President John Johnson at June Module Design Meeting)

 

Keep producing and providing these vital posts.  Hey, I tune into the OGRForum many times just for your posts. I'm so glad you're in our Colorado O Scale Modelers (COSM) club as I get to see all this stuff first hand and running!

Thanks much Erik!

Rick Trinkle  

 

Great job, Erik!

 

Jeff C

Hey fellas thanks for stopping in and leaving some comments.

More snails pace progress on the mid-late 50's trailers.

The Ringsby "Rocket" trailer got a fresh coat of paint and some new rubber! Taillight and marker lights I think this trailer will be an excellent 1957-1963 epoch steel trailer. It's the shape and length that I am after. These trailers were all unique; no two alike.

Some progress images of my tarps on a few of the open top trailers.



Taking a look at some prototype research both "tight" and "loose" flopping in the breeze tarp installs were seen on these trailers.

It's obvious I need to install the tie downs. It's coming!

 I don't mean to drag this off content. I must really congratulate you on such a great looking train you're building. I love how realistic it looks. I wish you were into more modern stuff. I do enjoy them all, though. I've only seen a few of these like the Yale, and the Carolina in real life that I remember.

Nice work Erik!

 

I'm looking for wheels for my trailers. Where do you buy your wheels please? Thank you.

 

Jack from France

Don Mills sells excellent 1:48 Alcoa Budd wheels while Berkshire Valley had 2 different styles of steel wheels. Also have look at Revell 1:48 Mobile has truck. The Revell wheels are excellent stock that were all to often used on these trailers in the 50's.


Revell 1950's kit Mobil Gas Truck (reproduced 1990's)



Lionel's best in class tires and wheels found on most of the 24' vans included in the PS-4 Piggyback Flat Car sets



Berkshire Valley's "Star Rims" available in full trailer kits and as upgrade kits. Available at certain shops with left over stock and eBay.


Don Mills Models Budd wheels or Western Wheels so common in the 1950's especially among private carriers.

Weaver's TOFC trailer offering has yet another version of the 2 piece steel wheel that was by far the most commonly used especially in the eastern states. I do not like the relatively "flat" shallow appearance of these as they should be deep like the Revell, Lionel, or Berkshire Valley examples. Still they look great and most will never say anything.



Berkshire Valley's alternate style of wheel.

Looks like Don sells an excellent set of wheels in place of needing to buy a complete Mobil Gas truck Revell kit

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?na...508&globalID=EBAY-US