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

Also Don's Alcoa Budd wheels:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?na...100&globalID=EBAY-US

Erik,

 

Many thanks to you for the informations. You're kind.

 

The Don Mills models wheels look very good.

 

I have bought a Weaver TOFC car+trailer (Carolina). The trailer's wheels aren't very nice. They need to be repainted to add more realism.

 

Great to hear. This is good resource for anybody wanting to take this on. It's interesting. I would like to do a circus train sometime. (Bucket list)

Yes, this thread is very interesting and we can learn a lot.

 

A circus train will be a great project!

 

 

Progress shots in the studio today

Beautiful Erik!  Is that UP trailer another one of Don's. I've got to get some of those.

 

Butch

Thanks Butch! A bunch! 

 

Still working... 

 

Butch that is a genuine 1955 Revell Fruehauf van custom finished by a fellow in St. George, Utah many years ago I suspect. I bought it from an estate collection along with a matching twin. It is however the same trailer that Don Mills can build you. Good stuff I agree; and they look so good on these early piggyback cars. 

 

 

       
       


Gosh Joe,

I overlooked your message, gets lost in the maze.

Modern would be a challenge even though Atlas did the Pines 48' vans and Weaver did those unique trailer/rail systems. A wide variety are out there for those wanting 70's and maybe late 60's. AMT made several kits of Fruehauf vans in 1/43 (large and I'm going against my opinion about 1/43 as stated) however the HUGE Ray tractor trailer sets.. "Fit the box" syndrome there. Anyway the AMT kits seem ok even though they are oversize.  I had a few that I passed on to Trinkle Trains that were expertly built and modified with cast wheels to add weight. If I had them I would photo them and share. Maybe he is listening here and might generate them for me to photo.

One of the magazines had an article in the 80's I believe on modifying the AMT exterior post vans into 1:48 scale using a plywood blade in a table saw... the wheels were turned in a lathe and knurled IIRC. 

 

Ed Reutling kind of stuff.

wonderful work, I do not care for the knobby tires though and would opt for the smooth ones.  thanks for posting.

Stunning, Eric.

Thanks Max!

I admire your desire for authenticity and your tenacity in pursuing it!  Wonderful work.

Testing fit of the Duff-Norton Jacks and chaining.

       
       


Thanks for the kind comment TrainsRMe

I wonder if back then, there would be more of the knobby tires used? More rural type roads??

Remember when the US highway system was built. I'm wondering how the system worked back in those days??

Looking great Erik!  I might have missed it in the thread but where did you get those wonderful little brass nose stands for the trailers on the cars? 

 

Butch

Beginning the roping stage of some of the tarped open trailers.

I think it makes an excellent simulation of this type of tarp installation.

  We wouldn't get away with that in Oz, Eric.

 

Humpin' has a distinctly different meaning.

 

Nice tarps, though. 

 

Cheers

Some progress today on the ropes and some road grime and dirt.

Erik

 

Your attention to detail on the trailers is great. It's kind of like icing on the cake. In this case it the flats. Can't say enough about your photos, other than they can be very convincing.

 

Thank you Suzukovich, very much. I enjoy this sort of torture; not sure why.

Further work on the Campbell Express roping process.

Almost real! Oops where is the track!?

Really enjoying seeing this come together Erik. Nice job.

 

Butch

Thanks Butch!

 

 

Studio Shots for the thread of the F39 load 

 

 

Continued work on the F39 with Duff-Norton Jacks. 

 

I am about ready to strip and repaint the flat car. I like the Erie and it is prototypical for the car however it does not fit what I need. These cars are difficult to come by and I need another T.T.X. ex/PRR 1957-1959 lettering. 

 

 

 

Ragtop trailers are present in a BIG way back in the mid to late 50's; over half of some of the photos I have found on all the roads hold true to this observation. Adding the tie down ropes really finishes off the vans. 

 

Still underway but some progress photos of an old US Hobbies trailer upgraded with Berkshire Valley wheel sets and painted up in Pacific Intermountain Express. I feel this old US Hobbies trailer is almost dead on for the massive 1950's fleet of P.I.E double trailers.

I think your thread has single handedly raised the conscience level of modelers who forgot about this mode of transportation and at the same time increased the selling price for trailers of all sizes and mfg's. 

 

I will ask again in case you missed it, who is the mfg of those great little nose stands under your trailers in the photos above? It is these types of details that bring you models to life. Obviously you need an eye for detail and the ability to add it to the cars/trucks/scene. Very nice modeling.

 

Butch 

Butch, you are right! Yikes the prices found on these have gone out of sight. I used to buy Max Gray/ USH trailers for $25! I gave up on one last week that went for $110!

I PM'd you about those Duff-Norton jacks.


       

Thanks Erik.  I never look for PM's but will now.

 

Butch

Back to piggybacking ....

Some Ringsby "Rocket" artwork installation.

Looks good, Eric.

 

Where did the artwork come from?

Not weathered or detailed yet

As Trinkle Trains says.. "It's ON!" The Early Piggy Back train is a rolling!!!