We had a "Model Challenge" at our monthly Turkey Creek NMRA division meeting, so I assembled a @TeamTrackModels.com 28' semi trailer. Couldn't just plop it on the table, so I also included my DAF paper truck I have shared on this forum before (What Did You Do On Your Layout Today - 4/21/21), some @Rail-Scale-Models.com pallets, and I printed a couple of warehouse walls from @EvanDesigns.com. The Model Challenge was max 12"x12" footprint, so that's why the square display. (See attached pics) The model challenge was a fun commitment with a deadline that made me try some things. Few if any people had seen or heard about paper semi trailers before.
The Team Track Models 28' trailer took me maybe 10 hours? This is the first one I have tried. I used paste onto mat board as they suggested, but I used CA gel superglue for all the joints vs white glue. I used 1/2" grey sprinkler piping cut into 1/2" slices for the tires - much less work than making the tires from paper, and the outer diameter is within 0.02" of the model. I still used the outer tire photo and pasted on the tube. I also substituted 1/8" square balsa pieces, black-ink-markered, for the landing gear and the bumper structure. Much simpler than layering paper to make those structures. I am very happy with the trailer - it is sturdy and looks great from a little ways back (seams are not perfect - I made the best alignments all on one side for display purposes). My intention is for these paper trucks and trailers to be background models, but frankly the Team Track trailer could be up front. It looks very good. Mine has realistic rust weathering because the straight edge metal scale I was using rubbed rust off onto the sides. Once I saw that, I liked it and rubbed some more!
