Automobiles/ Trucks 1/43-1/50 scale let’s see them

@Bill Park posted:

We have a bunch. Trying to make them all fit into about 1952.

I found that exact same red truck in a T/A Travel Center of all places!

MTH piggyback pups soon to be available.

On the left is an Athern truck I worked over and was happy as all get out. Until......

Steve's masterpiece using the same Athearn truck.  If I may pass on some advice to the younger members of this forum.  Do what you can now.  Don't worry about resale 'value'.  Have fun, hone your skills and have your modifications on your layout.  Before mother nature takes some manual dexterity from you.  John

Thanks -

I'm not concerned about re-sale on any O items I decorate. Like oil paintings, I always get 2 to 4 times the original price on items sold for my unique creations. As for old antique Lionel P/W. traditional items, do not alter in any way. They are compressed, non detailed play toys not meant to be changed. The more chips and ware, the better.

Create and enjoy your individual empires!

Nice to know there are still a few of the original MGB's around from the late 60's, early 70's...couldn't pass the  ruby red roadster below by this morning without sharing with the forum.  This car is parked by the beach many days during the week...

I very much want one of these 1/43 scale M25/26 "dragon wagon" models by Altaya...

Anyone got a lead on one?

Cool rigs everyone, I am sorry to say no update on my Coors conversion truck and I haven't been in the train room after the last post! It has been a little busy around here! who knows maybe in a week I will be back at it. I just took a little time today so I wouldn't get to far behind what's going on!

@rattler21 posted:

If I may pass on some advice to the younger members of this forum.  Do what you can now.  Don't worry about resale 'value'.  Have fun, hone your skills and have your modifications on your layout.

Truer words haven't been written recently.

I caught some flak from people outside this forum for taking a Brooklyn model A and weathering it for the layout.

I was accused of "ruining a collectible", as if I'd spray painted over the Mona Lisa.

Lee, Nice job on the car. I know you model the WW2 era which would date this car a bit from being shiny new. Looks right to my eye.

@p51 posted:

Truer words haven't been written recently.

I caught some flak from people outside this forum for taking a Brooklyn model A and weathering it for the layout.

I was accused of "running a collectible", as if I'd spray painted over the Mona Lisa.

Lee;

I am not a fan of weathering equipment… I run a CLEAN railroad That being said, I think your work is actually an improvement on the original. As for ruining a collectible, as someone who has collected any number of collectibles, the first rule of collecting is “collect what you like, NOT what you think is a good investment”. From the pics you’ve posted of your layout, you stress realism, and your final product certainly portrays the time and place of your layout - great job!!!

P.S. is that car a convertible???

P51's are used to flak, sorry, couldn't resist that one.  Go Mustangs!  Beautiful model, great weathering, Brooklyn or not, work with what you have.

@p51 posted:

Truer words haven't been written recently.

I caught some flak from people outside this forum for taking a Brooklyn model A and weathering it for the layout.

I was accused of "running a collectible", as if I'd spray painted over the Mona Lisa.

Lee, I must tell you reading your post'... I actually laughed out loud'.. Was it your critics dollar or yours that bought this car'.... And BTW, Brooklyn models are over rated, over priced and yes'   require weathering'...  Nice job on your model A.  👍✔

@Capetrainman posted:

Nice to know there are still a few of the original MGB's around from the late 60's, early 70's...couldn't pass the  ruby red roadster below by this morning without sharing with the forum.  This car is parked by the beach many days during the week...

Hey Paul, what beach is the car parked at??? I'd like to get a few shots of it'...

Excellent scenes and vehicles, Jeff!  I especially like the close up under the gas station awning!!

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Lee, I must tell you reading your post'... I actually laughed out loud'.. Was it your critics dollar or yours that bought this car'.... And BTW, Brooklyn models are over rated, over priced and yes'   require weathering'...  Nice job on your model A.  👍✔

I agree with all of what you said, Ted!

Thanks. The gas station shot is one of my favorites, it looks so real!! Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't send it in.

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Lee, I must tell you reading your post'... I actually laughed out loud'.. Was it your critics dollar or yours that bought this car'.... And BTW, Brooklyn models are over rated, over priced and yes'   require weathering'...  Nice job on your model A.  👍✔

"Don't spend my money!"

It's yours.  Do with it as you want and quote them the sentence above.

I have learned the same thing about some really fine guns that people have over-cleaned, modified, or otherwise defiled.  I just tell myself it's not my gun and they can do what they want.

I still have nightmares over a pristine 12 gauge Greener shotgun that had been nickel plated with a high gloss black enamel stock.....but it wasn't my gun. I had no investment in it, and my opinion had not been sought

@Forty Rod posted:

I still have nightmares over a pristine 12 gauge Greener shotgun that had been nickel plated with a high gloss black enamel stock.....but it wasn't my gun. I had no investment in it, and my opinion had not been sought

I had always assumed you were the same guy who posted on the SASS forum. I am no longer in cowboy action shooting (used to be known at "Captain Lee Bishop" and still have my SASS badge) but I still have my shotgun, matched six-shooters and my 92 Winchester. My job because so insane back then that I could never count of having any weekends off and the cost of ammo and supplies went through the roof after about year into it.

I do miss it from time to time.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Thanks. The gas station shot is one of my favorites, it looks so real!! Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't send it in.

You should send it in, it's a great shot!

Picked these up at our Steam Engine show flea market.

L/R

Road Roller, dozer, UPS van , 2 Road Signatures 57 Chevy Nomads and a Corgi London Taxi.

@p51 posted:

You should send it in, it's a great shot!

Got a man here who is a professional model builder.  He made a 1/24 scale gas station that is no more detailed than yours (and you really captured the station I worked at as a kid) and he left out the same two items that you missed: a bell hose and the windshield cleaner box.

That was my first real paycheck job.  It was at a Union 76 station on Main street in Logan, Utah.  I was fourteen and made 65 cents an hour.  my best friend's dad owned it and many times I'd be there for a couple of hours alone, pumping gas, checking oil and air pressure in the tires, washing windshields and sweeping out the inside and emptying the ash rays.  We also changed oil, mufflers, spark plugs, etc, repaired tires and put on snow tires and stored the customer's "fair weather" tires, put on tire chains and took them off again, changed wipers, did tune ups, and even put on new set covers.  The only part of the job I didn't like was installing Port-A-Wall white sidewalls and de-skunking cars that had hit one of those nasty critters.

Thanks for the nostalgia and the marvelous job you did.

@p51 posted:

I had always assumed you were the same guy who posted on the SASS forum. I am no longer in cowboy action shooting (used to be known at "Captain Lee Bishop" and still have my SASS badge) but I still have my shotgun, matched six-shooters and my 92 Winchester. My job because so insane back then that I could never count of having any weekends off and the cost of ammo and supplies went through the roof after about year into it.

I do miss it from time to time.

That's me.  I'm still a member of SASS but haven't shot a match in about 10 years.  Send me a message or an email and maybe we can get together sometime.

Tom

@Forty Rod posted:

Got a man here who is a professional model builder.  He made a 1/24 scale gas station that is no more detailed than yours (and you really captured the station I worked at as a kid) and he left out the same two items that you missed: a bell hose and the windshield cleaner box.

That was my first real paycheck job.  It was at a Union 76 station on Main street in Logan, Utah.  I was fourteen and made 65 cents an hour.  my best friend's dad owned it and many times I'd be there for a couple of hours alone, pumping gas, checking oil and air pressure in the tires, washing windshields and sweeping out the inside and emptying the ash rays.  We also changed oil, mufflers, spark plugs, etc, repaired tires and put on snow tires and stored the customer's "fair weather" tires, put on tire chains and took them off again, changed wipers, did tune ups, and even put on new set covers.  The only part of the job I didn't like was installing Port-A-Wall white sidewalls and de-skunking cars that had hit one of those nasty critters.

Thanks for the nostalgia and the marvelous job you did.

Thanks for your kind words. Maybe we can add the bell hose, etc. This was a kit, but I can't remember the Company, it is made in that heavy hydro-cal (?). A good friend of mine, and modeler, put the kit together and did all the painting, detailing etc. Being I like Mobil gas and the pegasus he detailed it accordingly, including the pegasus on the roof specially laser cut and all the lights to light it up. I am also a lover of the old visible gas pumps and pumps with the lit globes. We located the pumps from the UK and he lit them up. A complete detailed interior is seen in my photos as well. The gas station is not easy to see close up, but it is a great eye catcher on my layout. These photos show the station in different stages of completion.

Jeff, Absolutely fabulous!!!  The interior reminds me so much of Wib Kramer's Garage that was in Valencia, Pennsylvania when I was growing up.  He didn't pump gas.  The exterior reminds me of several old stations in the '60s, though the pumps were more updated.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Jeff, great scenes all around.  My fav is the gas station...makes me want to pull in one of my 1/43 Buick's in for "service with a smile..."  The good ole days...

Nice turnout at Saturday's night's rally on North Main...the mayor is a car buff and always provides a special permit to close down the North Main....

I bought this 1969 Corvair Monza around St. Patrick's day when forum sponsor Diecast Direct had a sale on green autos.  My father bought a circa 1964 convertible and I figured this would stand in for it whenever I get the (carpet) layout set up again. Ours was likely saddle tan or gold.

As the photos show this Road Signature model is very well detailed.  Zoom in: the decals and interior are excellent.  I had hoped this year's body style would more closely resemble the model year we had, specifically, the rear hood vents.  But they are gone.  Oh, well, it's still a great model with a few bucks off the price.

My father sold his Corvair when we moved out of state not long afterward.  Word had it that within weeks (?) the new owner totaled it.  Yeah, they were kinda famous for that ...

Tomlinson Run Railroad

The 1:1 prototype looked something like this. As a little girl, I really liked the look of the rear overhang on the roofs of the hardtops. There were lots of them in town:

Hey Everyone,

We just released three additional models of 1:48 scale die-cast. Check these out! All of these are officially licensed and look like they just drove off the showroom floor!

Availability is a little different for each model, so I’ve made some availability notes below.

1958 Plymouth Furys
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

1947 Dodge Power Wagons
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

Modern Dodge Rams

- Only dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

In case you missed these, we released some 1957 Sweptsides a few weeks ago.

1957 Dodge Sweptsides
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

@Menards posted:

Hey Everyone,

We just released three additional models of 1:48 scale die-cast. Check these out! All of these are officially licensed and look like they just drove off the showroom floor!

Availability is a little different for each model, so I’ve made some availability notes below.

1958 Plymouth Furys
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

1947 Dodge Power Wagons
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

Modern Dodge Rams

- Only dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

In case you missed these, we released some 1957 Sweptsides a few weeks ago.

1957 Dodge Sweptsides
- Singles and dealer packs of 24 pieces are available online (while supplies last)
- Singles are also available in our retail stores (selection and inventory may vary)

Thanks for sharing I’m glad I have a Menards’s about 10 miles away going have to check them out.  

Guys sorry haven’t been posting thanks for keeping this thread a float. I retired from my Intermodal job of hauling sea cans last week of 25 years. Now I drive a little dump truck around my home town and I love it. Hopefully now I’ll have more time at the layout.

Wow!  If those are true 1/48 I will be buying them. Too many times 1/48 and 1/43 gets mixed up. Yes my trains run on 3 rails but i am a stickler on my vehicles!

@lee drennen posted:

Guys sorry haven’t been posting thanks for keeping this thread a float. I retired from my Intermodal job of hauling sea cans last week of 25 years. Now I drive a little dump truck around my home town and I love it. Hopefully now I’ll have more time at the layout.

Congratulations, Lee!

@lee drennen posted:

Guys sorry haven’t been posting thanks for keeping this thread a float. I retired from my Intermodal job of hauling sea cans last week of 25 years. Now I drive a little dump truck around my home town and I love it. Hopefully now I’ll have more time at the layout.

Lee, congratulations on a 25 year career...glad you're happy driving the new rig around town!

Lee congratulation! Driving little dump trucks can be fun at times! I used to drive 10-yard dump in AZ.

Hope you're doing well and able to spend a little more time on your layout!

I previously asked a member where he purchased his lighted ambulance but didn't get a response.  So I continued to painstakingly carefully drilled holes in O scale dicast cop car and an ambulance and ran 18 tiny hard to strip wires and soldered them.  Although I'm happy with the results, I'd rather just had purchased them from the internet like all the Menard cars I've got.

Profuse -  You should just get the wire stripper that GunrunnerJon recommended a while back.  It will strip all those small sizes no problem.  You probably should get one just to have on hand in case you need it in the future.  We are talking I believe less than $30.00.  You can ask him and he will point you to the site.   JP

@Profuse How come you didn't just buy the red one's from Menards? That is where I got mine!

mike g.

I've been buying stuff from Menards for two years, that Red Ambulance you have must have been long discontinued.  I still don't see where they're available.

@Profuse posted:

mike g.

I've been buying stuff from Menards for two years, that Red Ambulance you have must have been long discontinued.  I still don't see where they're available.

Let me look around and see if I can find some for sale.

Congratulations Lee.

Wow some impressive looking layouts with vehicles this whole page of posts. Really impressive light show. I love that Menards has been offering affordable vehicles in 1/48 better match for the trains. One of our club members orders the dealers packs then we split them with other club members so everyone can get a few. Works well really looking forward to 3 older items Menards noted in post above. Love the colors.

I really like the very highly detailed 1/43 vehicles that come out these days but at well over $50 to a $100 they are getting a bit out of range. Then you pull them out of the box and all the fine detail literally falls off  on some of them not durable. So a few high end detailed vehicles in the foreground and the cheaper Menards vehicles if they keep offering more great stuff will be more suitable for the background. And make great vehicles for Autoracks.

Hi guys, I know it's been a while, but I finally got around to finishing my Starbucks to Coors Light delivery truck. It is not the greatest but will work for my layout. Plus, it gives me something to improve on with my next auto.

It started out like this.

and now it is this. I hope you all enjoy!

As you can see Joe is waiting there to be loaded. He usually eats have his lunch about this time! LOL

Mike, nice job on your Coors truck!  Your layout lights make you the Clark Grizwald of the Forum!

kj356...agree, inflation has taken it's toll for sure on the upper end of the 1/43 diecast vehicles market...there may another opportunity to catch re-sales of some of the good stuff in the not too distant future at good prices...stay tuned...!

Friday night's import rally bought some interesting cars and characters to the Morrison Door parking lot...the pizza guy was there promoting his wood fired pizza to the crowd...

@Jack Petrof posted:

Wow!  If those are true 1/48 I will be buying them. Too many times 1/48 and 1/43 gets mixed up. Yes my trains run on 3 rails but i am a stickler on my vehicles!

Yes Jack they seem to be 1:48.  I found/bought the Dodge Sweptside, but it will need weathering !

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys, I know it's been a while, but I finally got around to finishing my Starbucks to Coors Light delivery truck. It is not the greatest but will work for my layout. Plus, it gives me something to improve on with my next auto.

It started out like this.

and now it is this. I hope you all enjoy!

As you can see Joe is waiting there to be loaded. He usually eats have his lunch about this time! LOL

Great looking trucks Mike the look right at home in that pic

@Capetrainman posted:

kj356...agree, inflation has taken it's toll for sure on the upper end of the 1/43 diecast vehicles market...there may another opportunity to catch re-sales of some of the good stuff in the not too distant future at good prices...stay tuned...!

Friday night's import rally bought some interesting cars and characters to the Morrison Door parking lot...the pizza guy was there promoting his wood fired pizza to the crowd...

Paul looks like a great turnout last night

@p51 posted:

Truer words haven't been written recently.

I caught some flak from people outside this forum for taking a Brooklyn model A and weathering it for the layout.

I was accused of "ruining a collectible", as if I'd spray painted over the Mona Lisa.

Nice weathered look Lee and who cares what people say it’s your model and seems you never get back or make a profit on what you paid for it so why not have some fun with it.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Jeff thanks for sharing those beautiful pics! I like the feedstore one

@Squonk posted:

Picked these up at our Steam Engine show flea market.

L/R

Road Roller, dozer, UPS van , 2 Road Signatures 57 Chevy Nomads and a Corgi London Taxi.

I like those Chevy wagons

@mike g. posted:

Lee congratulation! Driving little dump trucks can be fun at times! I used to drive 10-yard dump in AZ.

Hope you're doing well and able to spend a little more time on your layout!

Thanks Mike I feel so much better and more relaxed it was the right choice.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Congratulations, Lee!

Thanks Mark!

@Capetrainman posted:

Lee, congratulations on a 25 year career...glad you're happy driving the new rig around town!

Thanks Paul my boss told me to take the truck home some days my drive home is 5 minutes wow what a relief from a 1 drive one way.

@coach joe posted:

Congratulations Lee.

Thanks Coach!

Well guys I think I’m caught up a little. Here’s some old pics of my B81 Mack I built several years ago pulling a speccast lowboy with a Norscott Caterpillar  Tracavator.

Well as I seem to gravitate to vintage clockwork trains , its only fair I gravitate to vintage clockwork cars and small diecast .. all in the approx scale mentioned ...

Marx speedway cars .. these run on a tin figure 8 track with a hump crossover

A Tipp & Co ( Germany ) version

A Distler set in the same vein

Diecast UK Dinky farmers truck

UK diecast again

Back to clockwork with Chad Valley (UK) Wee-Kins ...

And then a plethora of Tri-ang Minic cars and trucks ...

Annnd to finish off before I bore you to death ... a lovely Lines Brothers  ( uk) clockwork streamline pre-war car

Morning folks,

Does anyone know when inspection stickers started appearing on the passenger side windshield?  I want to try and add some detail to a few autos but want to be period correct.  

Most of my vehicles are from the fifties, which I assume would be prototypical, but I’m interested in general about earlier decades, too.  Maybe they looked different, or where placed differently, and probably varied by state in the early days.

License plates are easier to research.

Thanks,

Tomlinson Run Railroad

UPDATE: OK, a quick web search turned up this web site.  It might be good for research as it has photos of the antique stickers in stock. 1915 is the earliest. https://inspectionsticker.net

Lee, I don't which I like better, your Mack or the Corvair.

Mike, the Coors Light Silver Bullet came out nicely. 

Fatman that's a nice collection of tinplate autos, clock work and not.  The steam tractor almost looks like die cast.

@coach joe posted:

Lee, I don't which I like better, your Mack or the Corvair.

Lee, I’m with Coach Joe.  This is my favorite of your photos for the excellent Corvair and especially the amazing lighting and paint on your switcher with the safety stripes.  What a really life-like scene.

TRRR

Fresh new supply of '55's into the local Chevy dealer....all yours for under 2k...

Morning guys, Yes, I know it is afternoon for most of you all. I would have commented sooner but it took me a while to get through all the great photos and stories!

@Capetrainman Paul, Great collection of cars at the import rally! It has come to my attention that the Pizza guy has not missed a single rally! I think if he were to set up at the Chevy dealer the 55's would just fly off the lot! LOL

@lee drennen Lee great job on the Mack B81 build! I really love the scene; I know a lot of folks really like your Corvair. I am more impressed on the shot of a true professional truck driver!

@Fatman WOW Those are really cool looking! I have never seen anything like that before, thank you so much for sharing!

@phlashgrdon Nice scenes and video! Just wondering where you got the Car Hauler in the second photos, also did the cop car come with the flashing lights?

Well guys as for me I did a little lowering on one of the trucks I got from Walmart for just a couple bucks. It took me awhile and a donated scrap truck for additional parts needed. So here is a photo of what it used to look like kind of as I forgot to take a before photo. but it and the bronco were the same height.

So I removed the big orange wheels and big tires, got rid of the supper high suspension lift!

While the truck that donated the new suspension parts happened to be a box truck, I thought it would be cool to go ahead and make it a dually! Before you all say there needs to be space between the tires, I had to work with what I had!

I hope you like it, and hope you all have a great week and a fun upcoming long weekend!

Received a box from Menard's today!

Too bad the Plymouth plate doesn't say Christine :-)

What became of Ulrich?  They made some really fine HO truck kits out of Zamac or the like back in the 50s and 60s.  They'd make background models and a person could use them for masters for custom trucks.

@Forty Rod posted:

What became of Ulrich?  They made some really fine HO truck kits out of Zamac or the like back in the 50s and 60s.  They'd make background models and a person could use them for masters for custom trucks.

Some guy back East bought it and kinda made a mess of it he passed away this passed winter and the son is wondering what to do with it. I told him if he decided to sell it let me know. I’ve always wanted that company.I’m sure it can’t be much to buy it the molds he used were wore out and you are really just buying the rights and name.

@mike g. posted:

Morning guys, Yes, I know it is afternoon for most of you all. I would have commented sooner but it took me a while to get through all the great photos and stories!

@Capetrainman Paul, Great collection of cars at the import rally! It has come to my attention that the Pizza guy has not missed a single rally! I think if he were to set up at the Chevy dealer the 55's would just fly off the lot! LOL

@lee drennen Lee great job on the Mack B81 build! I really love the scene; I know a lot of folks really like your Corvair. I am more impressed on the shot of a true professional truck driver!

@Fatman WOW Those are really cool looking! I have never seen anything like that before, thank you so much for sharing!

@phlashgrdon Nice scenes and video! Just wondering where you got the Car Hauler in the second photos, also did the cop car come with the flashing lights?

Well guys as for me I did a little lowering on one of the trucks I got from Walmart for just a couple bucks. It took me awhile and a donated scrap truck for additional parts needed. So here is a photo of what it used to look like kind of as I forgot to take a before photo. but it and the bronco were the same height.

So I removed the big orange wheels and big tires, got rid of the supper high suspension lift!

While the truck that donated the new suspension parts happened to be a box truck, I thought it would be cool to go ahead and make it a dually! Before you all say there needs to be space between the tires, I had to work with what I had!

I hope you like it, and hope you all have a great week and a fun upcoming long weekend!

Thanks Mike for the complement. I know a lot of people like that Little corvair I never thought so many would. I like your pick ups and Bronco

To help Mike out here's a before picture.  You can see how much lift these Walmart vehicles have but for the price it's kinda hard to leave them in the store.  I've thought about trying to lower them like Mike.  I think his  dually looks great but I don't have any donor suspension. Sine the Chevy is a rescue vehicle I think it'll keep the lift but I may tone down the wheels.  I may try something with the VW but if not, the local surfers could use a ride and those big tires don't look afraid of the sand.

Thanks for the nice comments, guys! Coach thanks for posting that photo. After what it took me to lower it, I started thinking like you and just change the wheels and tires! LOL

FYI The wheels are very hard to get off, you will need some pliers!

Mike when I first posted that picture I lamented that all of these Walmart vehicles were monster truck 4x4 types and someone suggested lowering them.  I looked at the underside and realized the type of work involved and couldn't see a quick fix so i shelved the thought for a later time.

O-gauge layout designers/builders who favor a 1950s theme would understandably select automobiles of that era for placements on their mini-empire.  I enjoy celebrating the cars of yesteryear that are now defunct brands. I added signage to a standard auto dealer building and put Studebakers in the showroom and on the used car lot.

A Stude Golden Hawk rests on the rotating turntable, and a model of a real  Manta Ray custom car (it's based on a Stude chassis and drivetrain) is parked in front.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

Gm Mikey G,  the police car was animated by Jack Pearce of Canada. ( YORK TCA )  .  The new car carrier was also a York purchase. I don't remember dealer.

@Mike H Mottler,  Love your theme. You have some nice Studebakers displayed.  They were an innovative company with great designs.  My first car was a 1960 Studebaker Lark.

Norscot Caterpillar 1:48 scale models.  Norscot is the premier builder of models for manufacturing companies.  They are not cheap and hard to find.  Fortunately, in my town the Caterpillar district salesman retired.  When he passed, his wife brought all of his inventory to my local hobby shop.  I purchased these new in the box at a great price.

Here's my recent haul from Menard's.  If been wanting a Power Wagon for a real long time but could never bring myself to pay the premium for any of the  Matchbox Power Wagons that I've seen.  Along comes Menard's so the Power Wagon order turned into this.  For $5 dollars I couldn't eat just one Power Wagon so the US Forest service was joined by a red and yellow one because I remember them in those colors.  I needed a couple of those fancy Dodge pick-ups for the gentlemen farmers outside of town.  REA never has too many delivery vehicles and hardware store that carries Lionel trains has to make deliveries some how.  I missed out on most of the Menard's "Ford" trucks but they still have their own version so it may be a candidate for re-decoration.  I've got lots of older Budweiser vehicles but a K-Line Bud Light delivery truck needed some help getting the King of Beers to all the retail outlets in town.

The Power Wagons and Dodge pick-ups appeared very light to me, more along the lines of those Hallmark ornaments as opposed to some other die-cast vehicles I have.  The same goes for the box trucks.  The sedan Delivery cars appear to have similar heft as other die-cast I have.

The following pics have the Menard's 1/48 vehicles posing with a Road Champs 1/43 Ford F-100.  I knew the 1/48s would be smaller than 1/43 but was surprised by how much different they were.  I'll have to take care with placement of the two different sizes.

Hi guys, nothing new from me. It has been a busy weekend around here doing honey do's! lol

@WoodWhat a great collection! You sure got lucky on that one!

@coach joe Joe very nice haul! I wish we had a Menards near us, but then again, the wife would kill me!

Erie 22-B power shovel and a Model A pickup, both 1:50.

@B23Dash7 posted:

Erie 22-B power shovel and a Model A pickup, both 1:50.

@B23Dash7 That is one nice shovel!!!  Great to see a realistic 1:50 scale unit.

@mike g. Yes, I was a lucky dog.  The units amounted to big bucks. Am I sorry the man passed???  We all do at some point.

@B23Dash7 posted:

Erie 22-B power shovel and a Model A pickup, both 1:50.

I agree with Wood, that is a great looking shovel!!

Mike G. no Menard's here in South Carolina so the USPS did the hauling this time.

@Wood posted:

@Mike H Mottler,  Love your theme. You have some nice Studebakers displayed.  They were an innovative company with great designs.  My first car was a 1960 Studebaker Lark.

Norscot Caterpillar 1:48 scale models.  Norscot is the premier builder of models for manufacturing companies.  They are not cheap and hard to find.  Fortunately, in my town the Caterpillar district salesman retired.  When he passed, his wife brought all of his inventory to my local hobby shop.  I purchased these new in the box at a great price.

Thanks sorry for the late reply very nice job on loading those CATS. They look great and thanks for sharing

Mike Motter your service truck is like my real truck I drive every day and it has a CAT engine to boot I like this little truck. Real pic of my truck is for comparison purposes only.

1932 ? Ford stake body truck.

@trumptrain posted:

1932 ? Ford stake body truck.

Nice looking Ford Patrick I like the colors and what a great pic of it thanks for sharing.

Decided my layout in process had shed their passenger service when they switched from steam to diesel, trying to keep the railroad profitable. Luckily Greyhound was there to take up the slack.

The '57 Bel Air in "Surf Green" gets some attention at the gas station and general store, but the checker players seem unimpressed...

The "Boss" arrives at the station for an early morning meeting in the "Chi..."

The office crew was leaving Morrison Door for the day when three hot shots showed up with their Chevelle SS 396's to impress a certain blonde lady from the admin staff.  Everything was cool until the top sales guy showed up in his 455 Buick Grand Sport to pick-up his commission check for the week!  Needless to say, the sales guy grabbed all the attention...

My New Haven railroad is still using some repainted telephone trucks from their WWII surplus acquisitions.  OK, so it’s really a 1/48 3D printed kit from a French company GAS O LINE.  This is not for the faint of heart—lots of tricky fitting and careful attention to logic in the assembly, since all the material is printed in French😬and no, I don’t speak or understand it.  It’s the challenge….

Very nice Don.

This isn't new but I never posted it.  I wanted an airport fire truck for my planned air field / air museum but at the time those types of trucks were very high dollar.  Seeing inexpensive airport fire trucks recently made me remember this one.  I found it in the toy aisle, it's a Disney Cars Rescue Ryker model.  Like all Cars characters it had eyes in the windshield.  I found a picture of the front of an airport fire truck, scaled it to fit, printed it on label paper and we have a windshield instead of eyes.

Since my layout will have very little scale fidelity the lack of details on this toy is not an issue.  I think it looks pretty good and will fill the role very well.

As the sun rises over the mountain behind the North Main Street station, the commuters hustle to buy a ticket and get to the loading platform before the 6:45 am to Chicago pulls in...

Hi guys, I know it's been a while and I am sorry for that. Between Honey Doo's here and a quick trip to North Dakota to see the in-laws there is nothing really new. I did pick up a few cars from Menards the local gas station there, just haven't gotten the time to even unpack them! LOL

@coach joe Joe I love the fire engine! I need to find one for my small airfield!

@Capetrainman Paul, your town is always busy, between meetings, the guys trying to impress the ladies and all the commuters it is amazing anyone ever gets some sleep! LOL I love all your town shots!

@Michael Hokkanen Michael wonderful video of your layout! Your city is a nice draw to your layout!

Well I hope to get some time tomorrow to unpack some stuff and I will try to get some photos for you all!

Mike, I don't know availability for the Cars version but I have seen several more detailed ones on eBay in the $25 range.

The Saturday night car rally is in full-swing as the landscapers finish up for the Sunday daytime import rally...the owner of the door company is always generous with the use of his lot by other "car buffs..."

Saturday night muscle followed by Sunday Euro-sports.  That parking lot is always full!

This is a 1936 White Model 706 Tour Bus.

The scale is 1:48 and made by "The Open Tour Bus Company".

Keep those trains running.

Jeff

@Jeffery Boat posted:

This is a 1936 White Model 706 Tour Bus.

The scale is 1:48 and made by "The Open Tour Bus Company".

Keep those trains running.

Jeff

who caries this?

Those open top buses served some of the National Park, therefore came in several liveries.  The one shown was from Yellowstone, another yellow one was for Gettysburg and another for Skagway Alaska.  A red one had Glacier National Park and there also was a green one.  You'll have to search the internet, several vendors that were sources of these are currently out of stock.

Thanks for the info coach. I found this one at a consignment store in Encinitas.

Jeff

thank you

There are several of the red Glacier Park ones on eBay at this time.

got one on the way

Hi Everyone,

In case you missed our most recent additions, here are out new 1956 trucks!

All can be purchased individually or get one of each in this assorted 8-pack.

Shop now!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Diesel shovel near the Carbondale mainline.

@Jeffery Boat posted:

This is a 1936 White Model 706 Tour Bus.

The scale is 1:48 and made by "The Open Tour Bus Company".

Keep those trains running.

Jeff

Look like the ones at Yellowstone or Yosemite still being used some in the 50s.

@Menards posted:

Hi Everyone,

In case you missed our most recent additions, here are out new 1956 trucks!

All can be purchased individually or get one of each in this assorted 8-pack.

Shop now!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Truly great trucks at a great price, Just too new for my layout

A few of those White Park trucks were recently in use.  They had engine swaps from the installed Pierce-Arrow ones.  If Menards would do a series of 1940/prior trucks like that in Chevy, IH, Reo, above cited White, etc. l would want most, if not all

@colorado hirailer posted:

A few of those White Park trucks were recently in use.  They had engine swaps from the installed Pierce-Arrow ones.  If Menards would do a series of 1940/prior trucks like that in Chevy, IH, Reo, above cited White, etc. l would want most, if not all

and cars

@Menards posted:

Hi Everyone,

In case you missed our most recent additions, here are out new 1956 trucks!

All can be purchased individually or get one of each in this assorted 8-pack.

Shop now!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Got the Sinclair's on order!

Hi all you O scale car and truck fans!  I’ve been working on trailers to populate my TOFC service on my railroad. More about that later.  

I’ve completed a couple new trailers that will be in use.  The Vermont Railwaytrailer has just been delivered, in use at a Waterbury CT warehouse.  It’s a kit from Berkshire Valley, with Scalecoat II and custom decals.  BV wheels and Din Mills Dollie’s.
  The lobster truck uses a placard made from a “Cousins Lobster Truck” container obtained at an appearance at a local winery.  That’s another story.  The trailer started as a Champ of the Road.  Scalecoat II, placards and details assorted…

Don

Ordered 4 of the Menard's '56 trucks and the Army Power Wagon I didn't order the last time.  While the Sinclair air would make a great scene with Dino and a Sinclair Station I've got a Texaco and a Shell station.  So I ordered the Texaco tanker, the County dump truck, the Fire pumper and the Pepsi box truck.  The order has already shipped so I'll post pics when I get them.

@Menards posted:

Hi Everyone,

In case you missed our most recent additions, here are out new 1956 trucks!

All can be purchased individually or get one of each in this assorted 8-pack.

Shop now!

Thank you,
Mark the Menards Train Guy

Mark thanks for the updates so many to choose from I like that Dump Truck. Thanks for sharing.

@coach joe posted:

Ordered 4 of the Menard's '56 trucks and the Army Power Wagon I didn't order the last time.  While the Sinclair air would make a great scene with Dino and a Sinclair Station I've got a Texaco and a Shell station.  So I ordered the Texaco tanker, the County dump truck, the Fire pumper and the Pepsi box truck.  The order has already shipped so I'll post pics when I get them.

Joe don’t forget like to see these little rigs.

@Don Sierakowski 111617 posted:

Hi all you O scale car and truck fans!  I’ve been working on trailers to populate my TOFC service on my railroad. More about that later.  

I’ve completed a couple new trailers that will be in use.  The Vermont Railwaytrailer has just been delivered, in use at a Waterbury CT warehouse.  It’s a kit from Berkshire Valley, with Scalecoat II and custom decals.  BV wheels and Din Mills Dollie’s.
  The lobster truck uses a placard made from a “Cousins Lobster Truck” container obtained at an appearance at a local winery.  That’s another story.  The trailer started as a Champ of the Road.  Scalecoat II, placards and details assorted…

Don

Don. Thanks for sharing very nice trailers they look good. I’ve pull many of those Vermont piggybacks in my day.

@Capetrainman posted:

The Saturday night car rally is in full-swing as the landscapers finish up for the Sunday daytime import rally...the owner of the door company is always generous with the use of his lot by other "car buffs..."

Mr Paul sorry I haven’t been post here been busy with my new job trying to get all I can before we stop for the winter. Nice pics as always thanks for sharing

@Don Sierakowski 111617 posted:

My New Haven railroad is still using some repainted telephone trucks from their WWII surplus acquisitions.  OK, so it’s really a 1/48 3D printed kit from a French company GAS O LINE.  This is not for the faint of heart—lots of tricky fitting and careful attention to logic in the assembly, since all the material is printed in French😬and no, I don’t speak or understand it.  It’s the challenge….

Don nice truck I have several of those GasOline resin kits guess I need to share them.

@coach joe posted:

This isn't new but I never posted it.  I wanted an airport fire truck for my planned air field / air museum but at the time those types of trucks were very high dollar.  Seeing inexpensive airport fire trucks recently made me remember this one.  I found it in the toy aisle, it's a Disney Cars Rescue Ryker model.  Like all Cars characters it had eyes in the windshield.  I found a picture of the front of an airport fire truck, scaled it to fit, printed it on label paper and we have a windshield instead of eyes.

Since my layout will have very little scale fidelity the lack of details on this toy is not an issue.  I think it looks pretty good and will fill the role very well.

Nice little fire truck Coach.

@B23Dash7 posted:

Decided my layout in process had shed their passenger service when they switched from steam to diesel, trying to keep the railroad profitable. Luckily Greyhound was there to take up the slack.

Nice bus I also like that shovel in the background.

@mike g. posted:

Hi guys, I know it's been a while and I am sorry for that. Between Honey Doo's here and a quick trip to North Dakota to see the in-laws there is nothing really new. I did pick up a few cars from Menards the local gas station there, just haven't gotten the time to even unpack them! LOL

@coach joe Joe I love the fire engine! I need to find one for my small airfield!

@Capetrainman Paul, your town is always busy, between meetings, the guys trying to impress the ladies and all the commuters it is amazing anyone ever gets some sleep! LOL I love all your town shots!

@Michael Hokkanen Michael wonderful video of your layout! Your city is a nice draw to your layout!

Well I hope to get some time tomorrow to unpack some stuff and I will try to get some photos for you all!

Mike good to see you maybe I can get back to building some trucks for the layout soon

@lee drennen posted:

Mr Paul sorry I haven’t been post here been busy with my new job trying to get all I can before we stop for the winter. Nice pics as always thanks for sharing

Lee, great to see you back...hope the "retirement job" is going well.  Thanks for the comment...!

The "import" rally at Morrison door the other night...

I guess this is the best place to post these.  Albeit am miffed with myself because cannot find my own images so will use MTH's.

As I recall both of these cars were uncatalogued.  Bought both cars for the trailers because of association with both products.

Ron

@Capetrainman posted:

Lee, great to see you back...hope the "retirement job" is going well.  Thanks for the comment...!

Anytime Paul. I love the new job feels good to be appreciated at some where you work.

Maybe a rerun but here one for you guys.  

@PRRronbh posted:

I guess this is the best place to post these.  Albeit am miffed with myself because cannot find my own images so will use MTH's.

As I recall both of these cars were uncatalogued.  Bought both cars for the trailers because of association with both products.

Ron

Those are nice Ron. Thanks for sharing the Westinghouse is interesting

Great photos guys! Lee it sure is nice to see you posting again! I am glad you like your new job and working at the feed store! I wont be posting any updated photos as I just started taking down the layout for a rebuild. I will keep you posted!

Picked up the new 1956 Trucks from Menards today. The are all plastic not Diecast as the Menards website states. A little disappointed but nice trucks overall

Sinclair tow truck from Menards.

A pink Cadillac, I'm sure everyone has one in their collection. But this one has a pretty lady doing her shopping.

Keep those trains running!

Jeff

New trucks from Menards.

I was glad to see Menard's produce a second batch of '56 Ford trucks.  I liked them when they first came out but never ordered.  With the recent introduction of Power Wagons I just had to order and the only '56 Ford left in stock was the Menard's Box truck so I ordered one of those also.  When that shipment arrived I posted it here and noted how light they were for die-cast and that the cab was die-cast but the box was plastic.  Apparently the chassis is also plastic but for $6 I wasn't disappointed.  So when this second batch hit the market I ordered a few and picked up the Army Power Wagon I left behind the last time.  The only minor disappointment was the size of the dump bed on the County dump truck.

The Menard's offerings are advertised as 1/50 so I took some pictures with other die-cast for comparison.  Here is the Menards Texaco Tanker sandwiched between two ERTL Chevys .indicated to be 1/43.  As you can see my local Texaco station has an impressive tanker fleet.

Next up is an Athern 1/50 Ford C Series box truck.  The cabs compare favorably but the Athern box body is significantly longer and taller than the Menards.

Here are two Road Champs'56 F100 pick ups with their bigger siblings.  I think I'll have to keep them separated.  The pick ups are clearly larger.

Next up are a couple of 1/43 '34 Ford BB models.  Even though they are are larger scale these could populate the same space with the '56s.

A comparison of the pick ups, 1/43 '34 Ford BB, 1/43 '56 Ford F100, Menard's '47 Power Wagon and a Matchbox 1/43 '40 Ford Pick up.  The '56 F100 definitely looks out of place, the rest couldshare space on a layout in my opinion.

The last comparison is between the dump truck and an Athern C Series tractor.  Both are 1/50 scale so cabs compare very nicely.  The dump truck wheel base compares to the tractor wheelbase.  Since I feel the dump body is a little small I may think about converting it to a tractor.  Like I need more projects.

Nice synopsis Joe, I have mostly 1/43 scale a few a 1/40th and 1/50th. These are close enough for me.

HI Guys Hope your all doing well.

@jEFF boat

@Jeffery Boat posted:

A pink Cadillac, I'm sure everyone has one in their collection. But this one has a pretty lady doing her shopping.

Keep those trains running!

Jeff

Hi Jeff, no Pink Cadillac here in Hoodsport, wa.

@coach joe Hey Joe, wonderful review! If your out and about you might check out Tractor Supply if you have one near you. They have some nice 1/50 scale trucks there!

Joe, what a great collection of trucks!!

Coach Joe...great collection of trucks!

Here are a pair of mods/repairs I recently completed.  Nothing fancy but something different for the layout.  This is an ERTL 1/43 scale H&W Motor Express, 1950 Chevy COE tractor converted to a covered stake truck.  The body came from one of my son's toys years ago.  It made it's way to the Chevy and stayed for several years because I had no trailers for this and two other ERTL tractors I had.  Trailers eventually made their way onto the property and this tractor was called back into semi duty.  The body, with it's home made mud flaps has been hanging around for years.  This COE tractor was pulled from storage along with other COE variants and some Athern 1/50 scale Ford C series variants for the above comparison with the new Menard's '56 Fords.  While I had them all out I retrieved the body and tried it on it's original truck and an Athern C Series tractor.  It didn't take very long for me to reunite the two.

The container below was in need of repair.  I had picked up a Lionel CN Maxi-Stack of the bay to add to one I bought when Lionel first graced us with "modern" intermodal equipment, not just TOFC.  The pair needed work and of course had no containers.  The top containers were not an issue however Lionel made these special bottom containers to allow loading and unloading with their container lift so the hunt for reasonably placed bottom containers began.  In the "You never know what you're gonna get!" category this container showed up with no floor or back doors.  I figured "No problem"  I'll make a floor and get some doors from Lionel.  Only Problem Lionel only had right side silver doors.  So this sat for a while until I could find adequate photos of trailer doors.  I thought this one would work ok but looking at the pictures my execution was very poor and I think I've got to give it another go.  Even sitting in the well of the Maxi Stack I'm not happy with it.

@Jeffery Boat posted:

This is a 1936 White Model 706 Tour Bus.

The scale is 1:48 and made by "The Open Tour Bus Company".

Keep those trains running.

Jeff

My Dad worked for the White Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio.  His specific trade was woodworking...I learned these tour buses were also used to in Yosemite.  I have a green version of this model....slick!

@mike g. posted:

HI Guys Hope your all doing well.

@jEFF boat

Hi Jeff, no Pink Cadillac here in Hoodsport, wa.

@coach joe Hey Joe, wonderful review! If your out and about you might check out Tractor Supply if you have one near you. They have some nice 1/50 scale trucks there!

Hi Mike, well are there any pretty ladies in Hoodsport WA?

@Jeffery Boat posted:

Hi Mike, well are there any pretty ladies in Hoodsport WA?

Yep, but they are more into the muscle cars of the 60 & 70's!