The tractor (truck) is nearly done. Windshields, exhaust stack, horn and the hose tree are all it needs. It actually came out pretty good. But it doesn't work with the trailers. The frame is too long for the short trailers; the fifth wheel is apparently too high and the front trailer rides with it's nose too high. There might be something I can do with the fifth wheel, but I'm not sure what. My wife and I aren't sure why some of the wheels still look orange. The paint is the same, it just doesn't look like it. Maybe the dish on the wheels creates a shadow and creates the illusion of darkness. Who knows... Any ideas on what other purpose the tractor could have on the fictitious QA&P? Maybe take off the fifth wheel and make it a big flatbed or something. there are other tractors I can build to pull the trailers. There's another low boy trailer in my stash of kits, but that was earmarked for either the Autocar that's in progress or a huge Mack LMSW off highway tractor. The single biggest problem with the cast resin vehicle kits is ride height. You don't have enough hands to hold everything in place before gluing things together to see if it's going to be level; if the wheel wells are the right height above the tires; if all the tires touch the ground; etc., etc. Maybe the thing to do is use canopy glue or something non-permanent to attach parts before permanently gluing them together to ensure that everything fits properly. Anyway, the truck itself isn't too bad, but it doesn't work well with the trailers it was intended to pull. Back to the drawing board!!!
I see what you mean. The tractor's frame is way too high - or the trailer's height is too low - or both! I'm looking at the second trailer and it rides a lot higher than the first. Without the front axle, it would be a better fit to the tractor than the first one. I suggest raising the first trailer's rear end to about the same height as the second one, to reduce the slant. It wouldn't fix the entire problem, but it would be a step in the right direction. My two Canadian cents worth. Have fun!
Thanks, Mike. Actually, a solution hit me yesterday evening after posting this. remove the fifth wheel; scratch build a cargo box to go on the back of the truck; use a pintle hook hitch to attach a trailer. Of if I want to go really nuts, do that and pull both trailers. Consolidated Freightways was the inspiration for this rig and that's what they did in the early days.
Hey Paul , the tractor wheels are bigger than the trailer wheels . Maybe swap some larger wheels to the trailers ?
OK...here's the general idea of what it will be like. Long way to go, but it's taking shape. The photo is just a lousy cell phone shot, but that's all I had with me and I was too lazy to go find the camera.
That's great! I'd only call that a 1/10 lousy cellphone shot. It's way better than a lot of people's photos with the old point-and-shoot disposables...
That looks outstanding! Much better that the other version. I'm going to look for one like that from the 50s. Well done! Ahh....Paul... do you ever sleep?
Sylvan Model Works--A Canadian company--makes numerous 30's / 40's / 50's vehicles. Truck Stop Hobbies carries their full line, as well as quite a few other HO vehicles. Steve Beekhuizen is the owner of Truck Stop Hobbies and is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. With your modeling skills, you will have absolutely no troubles making them look terrific. By the way, the Freightliner truck in the photo is a 1951-1955 Freightliner. The decals for the side of the freight box on the back of the truck have me scratching my head. The fictitious piggyback logo on the trailer side wouldn't work on the box because the box won't go on a flatcar. The Frisco /QA&P coonskin is already on the cab door. If this project had started out with the freight box, there would not have been a coonskin on the cab door and I could put a large one on the side of the freight box. Something will come to me, but it hasn't yet. As for schedule...I turn 70 next month. My typical day starts at 6:45 with a 3 mile hike with our Australian Shepherd. After breakfast I do 3 or more hours of work on our property (we have 3 acres with 50 pecan trees). After lunch and a weight workout I do some modeling. I used to bicycle about 6500 miles a year but just don't have time anymore. It keeps you young!!! To repeat something on another thread, your scratch built interlocking tower is truly a piece of art. Man, that thing looks terrific. You need to move back to Texas so you can build a layout. Just don't do it right now. This spring has been nothing but floods, hail and tornadoes. We've had two pretty significant tornadoes within 30 miles of our house. There are thousands of acres of pasture land and farmland under water right now in our county alone.
Thank you for the good words, Paul. As for moving back to Texas, I'm afraid my moving days are over. But watching your excellent work takes me back there and helps me connect with the old days. I remember those tornado days too - dark bluegreen skies looming up from the west and the air hot and heavy, then the slap of wind and rain and you're running for cover. My mother was nearly killed in the Waco tornado back in the mid 50s, but fortunately, Temple has been spared any serious damage. The flooding is something we rarely had and it was never very extensive, just along rivers and creeks. The times they are a'changing. Take care and best of luck!
Nearly had a major meltdown yesterday evening. I had no idea that contact cement could melt styrene. fortunately, everything is double thickness so there's not much visible damage to the outside of the actual box. The squiggly white lines on the back of box are where the 600 grit sandpaper went through the primer. Those are probably miniscule lumps from the contact cement. Got it primed; had to rescribe the loading doors on the back; added simulated hinges and latches. Once it dries good it will be ready for a coat of yellow. After much "cogitation" the sides of the box will probably wear "Ship It On the Frisco".
Very cool! I really like the overall shape of the truck. That's gonna look nice when you get the trailer attached.
BTW, Paul, I checked on Sylvan's 1951-55 tandem truck and trailer kit - $53!! (I'm still waiting for my blood pressure to come down to normal). I like to build trucks but that one will have to stay in the dream locker for awhile...
That's why I look for sales and scratch build. The box on the back of mine is basically the same box as what comes in the kit. The trailers on mine are actually PRR trailers that I found for $10 each. There were four new kits on ebay (1950 chevy COE; two trailers; 1937 REA truck) being sold by one seller for $40 for the lot. The Chevy COE became my QA&P MOW truck that's several posts back on this thread. The trailers became QA&P trailers. The REA truck was bought with the intention of building it to sell, but I haven't decided.
Played with the truck in photoshop to see what the Ship It on the Frisco would look like. To me, it clashes with the QA&P stuff. I may have to think about it for awhile. Two trailers is a bit much. One trailer will probably be parked someplace and one with the truck.
I agree with T24. Darker shade of yellow, closer match to the trailers. Still great build regardless. RAINIER GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD
