Scale tractor for pup trailers.

Jim,  Any Athearn 1:50 cab-over-engine single axle tractors ought to do the trick. ERTLs are 1:43 as are Tootsoe Toys (Edited).

ERTL

ERTL and Tootsie Toy (Edited) tractors under trailers

Tootsie Toy (edited) shortened ERTL and ERTL

John

Jim,  Another answer is:  Yes, two tractors were made for twin trailer operations ("doubles" or if you prefer, "pups"). Consolidated Freightways worked with White motor company and had a very short cab on their COE single axle tractors which allowed them to meet the length over all restriction in most states.  GMC's answer was the 'Cracker Box Jimmy" which also had a short cab and is readily identifiable by its right angle corners at the front/sides and sides/rear.  Same on the roof line.   Kenworth offered a very short nose(about twelve inches) on their first COEs.  John

Maybe that overpriced Lionel tractor without mirrors would work but you would have to re-paint it.

Guess MTH never thought of offering one....

Here's the real deal.

Thank you all. I appreciate it. Repainting is no problem.

There are O scale 3D models on Shapeways of the Dodge L1000 cabover sleeper tandem axle and a GMC Crackerbox single axle.

I combined and built a GMC tandem.

Warning. the printing material is rock hard and difficult to finish well.  The six foot rule applies.

@rattler21 posted:

Dinky, shortened ERTL and ERTL

John

I'm thinking that yellow tractor might actually be Tootsietoy... (?) 🤔 🙂

Mark in Oregon

You could really used any ‘40s or 50’s era tractor trailer tractors. There are scores on the auction sites.

Pete

Athearn Ford C single axles would be ideal.  These are in the For Sale Forum.  John

@Norton posted:

You could really used any ‘40s or 50’s era tractor trailer tractors. There are scores on the auction sites.

Pete

Not true.

There are no accurate tractors out there in our scale except that Lionel shown above. Ertl has one but it's not detailed and is too long between the tractor and trailer.

Highly unlikely there was a Ford C tractor operating with a 50’ trailer. Also, a 1/50 tractor with a scale trailer looks a bit odd as well.

@SIRT posted:

Not true.

There are no accurate tractors out there in our scale except that Lionel shown above. Ertl has one but it's not detailed and is too long between the tractor and trailer.

Highly unlikely there was a Ford C tractor operating with a 50’ trailer. Also, a 1/50 tractor with a scale trailer looks a bit odd as well.

These are true 1/48. 1939 and 1948 respectively. Many more options out there.

This is 1/50.

Pete

Pete

Who made these?  The The Peterbilt might be a Matchbox not sure about the manufacturer stated scale, the White 3000 could be an Atlantis model kit and is 1/48.  Have no idea on the middle one, might be a Diamond T, of which all I know are Corgi and I thought 1/50.

@NHVRYGray posted:

Pete

Who made these?  The The Peterbilt might be a Matchbox not sure about the manufacturer stated scale, the White 3000 could be an Atlantis model kit and is 1/48.  Have no idea on the middle one, might be a Diamond T, of which all I know are Corgi and I thought 1/50.

Top two are Matchbox, the tilt cab is by Truck City Toys. Google “Buffalo Road Imports, Clarence, NY” for more options. If he doesn’t have it it probably doesn’t exist.

Pete

@SIRT posted:

Not true.

There are no accurate tractors out there in our scale except that Lionel shown above. Ertl has one but it's not detailed and is too long between the tractor and trailer.

Highly unlikely there was a Ford C tractor operating with a 50’ trailer. Also, a 1/50 tractor with a scale trailer looks a bit odd as well.

Here is the Ertl shortened. A bit of work but I was bored. Better than nothing but does lack detail. No mirrors or exhaust.

@Norton posted:

These are true 1/48. 1939 and 1948 respectively. Many more options out there.

This is 1/50.

Pete

Never seen them or I would have bought them over the years, not very common.

Can't say as to the White 3000.  The Matchbox's are cataloged at 1/50.  Doesn't matter to me. I have the Peterbilt and it is a nice model.  What the difference amounts to doesn't bother me.  Only way to truly know is measure and compare the model to the prototype.  What bothers me are 1/43 cars - That's why I have so few.

My 1/43 resin trucks are segregated off away from the trains, not even on the layout.  They are models, not train accompaniments.

SIRT

Have you built any of the Revell/Atlantis Kits?  Thy are 1/48.

White 3000 easy to find.  Kenworth takes some hunting.