TheRailwire

General Discussion => HO and Larger Scales => Topic started by: tom mann on February 04, 2009, 01:29:38 PM

Title: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: tom mann on February 04, 2009, 01:29:38 PM
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2966
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 01:33:37 PM
HOly mackerel! Truly awesome. I could hope that they do it in N someday, too, but won't hold my breath.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Hyperion on February 04, 2009, 02:24:35 PM
 :o  :o

Man... That's... sweeeet.

i know there's a lot more HO guys out there, but I find it hard to believe that there's many, if any, more HO guys that could actually use a kit of this size than there are N scale ones.

Hopefully we'll see it.  I don't know if I could ever use it, but kits like that are ones that I'd like to build anyways just to have because they're so neat.  Kinda like why I have to keep myself from buying Alkem's coaling tower though, as a modern-day modeler, I have absolutely no need for one at all.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: seusscaboose on February 04, 2009, 02:24:54 PM
and the obligatory video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1RJfnk2S330 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1RJfnk2S330)

and the photo
http://www.mhsd.org/photogallery/images/clevelandhullette-amc.jpg (http://www.mhsd.org/photogallery/images/clevelandhullette-amc.jpg)

p.s. the little "pusher" unit that is between the 1st and 2nd string of cars from the right (with the man in the cab visible) is saved @ the Mad River museum in Bellevue, Ohio...
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Hyperion on February 04, 2009, 03:01:52 PM
Man, looking at that proto-photo, that kit is just screaming for someone to make a brass "hop-up" kit for it, much like how just about every scale plastic model released has numerous options for.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 04:41:49 PM
I bought the documentary on the Hulett--it's an excellent video, with some remarkable footage. Would include a link, but that's at home; will add it later, unless someone else has the link.

I'd be tempted to get one of these kits, too, even in HO.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: seusscaboose on February 04, 2009, 04:46:37 PM
Imagine...

put a motor on it here or there.... i bet you could get em up and operating in no time...

Pep-Gruber !!!
 
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: cv_acr on February 04, 2009, 04:56:27 PM
Wow, that video is cool. Those things are pretty mechanically and labour intensive, easy to see why they elminated those once self-unloaders were standard. Really cool operation though.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 05:05:14 PM
Wow, that video is cool. Those things are pretty mechanically and labour intensive, easy to see why they elminated those once self-unloaders were standard. Really cool operation though.

Compared to what they used to have to do before Huletts came along (shovels, wheelbarrows and lots of men), those big, ungainly machines were a godsend. To think they started operations near the turn of the century, and ran for generations, all very impressive and a testament to a genius designer.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 08:15:53 PM
Hulett home page: http://web.ulib.csuohio.edu/SpecColl/glihc/hulett/
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: tom mann on February 04, 2009, 08:25:02 PM
Can anyone recommend a book on steel operations that shows how all these buildings and structures fit together?
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Bob Bufkin on February 04, 2009, 08:54:15 PM
Tom:

Check out this site:

http://www.bascotecniasteel.com/en/melt-shops.php?gclid=CN_hwMuixJgCFRQhnAodd2xN0w

I don't own this one but have seen some of the photos in it:
http://www.amazon.com/Eliza-Remembering-Pittsburgh-Steel-Mill/dp/0943231094


Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on February 04, 2009, 09:37:32 PM
Erie and PRR both had Hulett unloaders in Cleveland. Parts of 2 are still laying in a pile:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qxg53185pqr0&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6716318&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

These (large) photo shows the Erie dock:
http://chris333.fileave.com/Cleveland%20aerial%202.jpg
http://chris333.fileave.com/Cleveland%20aerial%203.jpg
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 09:44:21 PM
There's a bunch of beautiful circa 1940 color transparencies on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=hulett%20unloaders&w=all&s=int&referer_searched=1

An interesting website: http://www.citizensvision.org/
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on February 04, 2009, 09:47:31 PM
Ride along in one of them in action:
/>
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Bob Bufkin on February 04, 2009, 09:50:16 PM
A few years back Classic Trains did an article on Great Lakes ore and coal docks.  Looks of good photos in that one.  I have it around somewhere, when I find it i'll tell you which issue it is.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 04, 2009, 10:00:16 PM
Yet another website: http://daveayers.com/Modeling/Steel_Huletts.htm

This one has loads of links to good info, including model-building resources and commercial videos.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on February 04, 2009, 10:24:11 PM
How they do it in Ghent, Belgium
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh136/todengine/Ironman/GhentBelgiumZeldenrust.jpg

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=51.174706~3.800158&style=h&lvl=19&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=12220219&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: cv_acr on February 05, 2009, 01:12:01 AM
Wow, that video is cool. Those things are pretty mechanically and labour intensive, easy to see why they elminated those once self-unloaders were standard. Really cool operation though.

Compared to what they used to have to do before Huletts came along (shovels, wheelbarrows and lots of men), those big, ungainly machines were a godsend. To think they started operations near the turn of the century, and ran for generations, all very impressive and a testament to a genius designer.

Yes, indeed.
Amazing machines. I've seen pictures, but I've never seen anything like those in action.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: tom mann on February 05, 2009, 07:35:56 AM
There supposedly are two standing in South Chicago.  Does anyone know where?

...must...fight...urge...to...model...steel...operations...
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 05, 2009, 08:12:39 AM
There supposedly are two standing in South Chicago.  Does anyone know where?

Where did you hear that? I understood that they're all gone, and the two stored in pieces probably cannot be reassembled.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: tom mann on February 05, 2009, 08:27:21 AM
There supposedly are two standing in South Chicago.  Does anyone know where?

Where did you hear that? I understood that they're all gone, and the two stored in pieces probably cannot be reassembled.


http://daveayers.com/Modeling/Steel_Huletts.htm

The site might have dated info, but it said that they are there in 2002.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Bob Bufkin on February 05, 2009, 08:34:32 AM
Tom.

I know that Peach Creek Shops is not that far from you.  They do have a lot of HO steel related materials and models available.  I think the owner has an interest in them.
Bob
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 05, 2009, 08:46:13 AM
There supposedly are two standing in South Chicago.  Does anyone know where?

Where did you hear that? I understood that they're all gone, and the two stored in pieces probably cannot be reassembled.


http://daveayers.com/Modeling/Steel_Huletts.htm

The site might have dated info, but it said that they are there in 2002.

I'll be damned. Here they are:

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qyf4dr7q3ndp&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=11490988&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Ryan87 on February 05, 2009, 09:10:02 AM
http://daveayers.com/Modeling/Steel_Huletts.htm
The site might have dated info, but it said that they are there in 2002.

ooh Canadian Pacific had two at their coal dock in Fort William... The urge to model them is suddenly much larger...
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: pfs on February 05, 2009, 05:34:13 PM
Can anyone recommend a book on steel operations that shows how all these buildings and structures fit together?

I have found this yahoo group informative:



STEEL ยท A forum for all persons interested in the manufacturing of STEEL.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/STEEL/
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on February 05, 2009, 06:22:36 PM
In the Erie days the ore would be unloaded at the Erie Dock Co. in Cleveland and brought down to Warren & Youngstown. The mill would stock pile it. In other areas where the water was right next to the mill the unloaders may just dump into a conveyor.

This is the storage area at Warren:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw1s9r87yk7f&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=19983894&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

The blast furnace is right there as well:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw1vdn87yph9&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=19983894&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

To the right of the blast furnace is the coke ovens:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw0x8687ysrs&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=20006104&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Left of the furnace the track lead off to the rolling mills and re-melt shop:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw238x87yrgs&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=19980351&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

That is where I shot this a while back:
/>
Across the bridge is the BOF:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw1th387z9mk&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=20005445&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

And to the left of that is the rolling mills:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw3b1v87z333&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=20000586&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Slabs come out of the BOF and either go to the rolling mills or the slabs go out whole. When they are rolled the result is coiled steel. If you zoom in all around the mill you see coils or slabs all over. These are slabs:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qw2hhp87z9ng&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=20001068&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on February 05, 2009, 06:32:53 PM
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: csolivais1979 on February 10, 2009, 06:52:11 AM
According to Boatnerd.com:

Demolition Begins on Cleveland's Huletts
01/31:
A court ruling last week cleared the way for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to begin the removal of four Hulett Ore Unloaders on Whiskey Island. On Sunday morning crews began dismantling the Huletts and had cut the bucket off of the eastern most unit.
Two of the Huletts will be dismantled and stored for future use at a proposed park along the Cuyahoga River. The site on Whiskey Island will then be used to handle bulk cargoes in the port.


Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: jbaakko on February 23, 2009, 07:21:08 PM
You know, looking at the prototype, I'm half tempted to buy one to display...
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: railspike55 on February 25, 2009, 12:43:27 AM
When did they stop operations in the  Warren area.  I remember going to see the Berk at the musiem in Conneaut. Some guy said to go to the harbor and what did I find.

Working Huletts unloading a ship.   Most impresive. 

That was I think in 80's.  I took some photos but late afternoon light was bad.

Always wanted to go back someday but never found time to.

Ron N.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on February 25, 2009, 10:09:46 AM
They still make steel in Warren, but the blast furnace has been shut down for a few months because of the economy. (same as just about all blast furnaces in the US right now)
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: hminky on February 25, 2009, 12:47:28 PM
Wasn't there an article about someone scratchbuilding one? He really must be p*ssed about that development. I can here someone asking him:

"Is that the one from Walthers?" ::)

Harold
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: DKS on February 25, 2009, 12:58:22 PM
One fellow (I don't know who--I'd have to ask Rick Spano, their current owner) scratchbuilt two in N scale. I sure hope Wathers releases an N scale version.

(http://scenicedandundecided.net/images/IMG_1849a.jpg)
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: railbuilderdave on March 04, 2009, 03:09:57 PM
According to Boatnerd.com:

Demolition Begins on Cleveland's Huletts
01/31:
A court ruling last week cleared the way for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to begin the removal of four Hulett Ore Unloaders on Whiskey Island. On Sunday morning crews began dismantling the Huletts and had cut the bucket off of the eastern most unit.
Two of the Huletts will be dismantled and stored for future use at a proposed park along the Cuyahoga River. The site on Whiskey Island will then be used to handle bulk cargoes in the port.




I thought these were all gone now.  Do they still have some or are they now all gone?
Dave
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on March 04, 2009, 07:03:33 PM
There are still (or were) pieces of 2 on Whiskey Island, but they are not where they originally stood. You can see the parts here:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qxg53185pqr0&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6716318&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: railbuilderdave on March 05, 2009, 01:29:53 AM
Looks like you can get some nice rail photos there.  Can you get on whiskey island at all, maybe the marina area.
D
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Chris333 on March 05, 2009, 07:08:57 AM
It has been a while, but I have driven over this silver bridge and pulled right up to the tracks near the black bridge. I believe it was called "bridge one" for Conrail.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qxgs4n85qqtm&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=6716331&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1


http://secure.plaind.com/pdphotostore/images/pt_1040.jpeg
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: csolivais1979 on March 07, 2009, 04:49:09 AM
According to Boatnerd.com:

Demolition Begins on Cleveland's Huletts
01/31:
A court ruling last week cleared the way for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority to begin the removal of four Hulett Ore Unloaders on Whiskey Island. On Sunday morning crews began dismantling the Huletts and had cut the bucket off of the eastern most unit.
Two of the Huletts will be dismantled and stored for future use at a proposed park along the Cuyahoga River. The site on Whiskey Island will then be used to handle bulk cargoes in the port.




I thought these were all gone now.  Do they still have some or are they now all gone?
Dave

They should be, or most of the way down. A group tried to save them as a historical item, but the cour gave permission to be torn down.  I' m not from the area so I don't know if they have started taking them down or not.
Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: Blackbird300 on March 09, 2009, 08:27:48 PM
One fellow (I don't know who--I'd have to ask Rick Spano, their current owner) scratchbuilt two in N scale. I sure hope Wathers releases an N scale version.

[img]http://scenicedandundecided.net/images/IMG_1849a.jpg

I think a  the ones you're talking about were built by a longtime friend of mine.  He's an incredible modeler and  focuses on steel industry modeling.

Follow the link for a pic of his huletts in N scale.

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/gallery/steel_mill_modelers_meet_2005/images/Gary%20Lance's%20layout%20-%205.JPG



Title: Re: Hulett Unloader - wow!
Post by: wm3798 on March 10, 2009, 10:36:11 AM
Those things are beautiful.  Do they operate?

I can only imagine that George Lucas grew up near one of these installations...

Lee