Living in West Virginia and a county that logged more lumber than almost anywhere.....I felt the need for some log carrier cars. None of the current cars on the market met my criteria as far as type and/or price. So I decided to make my own....which I enjoy more than buying any way!
Here we go..............
I used some Basswood for the main assembly or frame. I had some pics of cars with a frame of large wood beams....I'll make my own version in O scale. The center frame is made from 3 1/4 by 3/8 Basswood about 30 scale feet long. I glued them together, wrapped a number of rubber bands and set overnight. I then used a Dremel table saw to plow out the 1/4" wide 3/16" deep spots for the cross braces.
Added the cross supports. Made from 1/4" by 3/16" Basswood stock.
I now added the plastic details. Grandt Line NBW castings, Plastruct channel and strip stock for the log retainers. Brake wheel support was added along with more Grandt Line NBW details. Brake wheel was a old MDC HO scale part I had on hand.
I now dipped into my stock of plastic Lionel Archbar trucks. I bought these, when they were available, as they were often $3 a pair or so at shows. I like them.....drilled a hole in the center beam and attached the trucks with a sheet metal screw.
I prepped the car with some light sanding and some dings and dents. The paint is Dupli-color 'Hot Rod Primer' a dark gray color with some filling properties. It gives a nice weathered black color to the car. I weathered the car with water based light gray, rust and black thinned with alcohol. The trucks got a dry brush with gray. The number was made to look hand painted.....and is made with 'correct-o-type' if you're old enough to remember it! It will get a coat of clear flat to seal it all up.
One down and 4 to go on this run. I make all the parts needed at one time for 5 cars.....then assemble them like kits. When I get all the cars complete I will cut some Black Walnet limbs into 25 foot lengths and load the cars. I have scale chain and retainers for them ready. I will more than likely make another run of 5 cars but need to order more Grandt Line parts before I can.
Now the REALLY hard part begins......the hunt for a big Shay to haul my fleet of log cars!!!
