NEW TRAINWORX TRUCK RELEASE.

[nkalanaga]

Now the HO folks can envy us N scalers for once.

I don't think I ever saw a clean log truck, though, so a little weathering will be needed for mine.  Even the drivers who washed theirs regularly, in the early 70s, didn't seem to wash anything behind the cab.  The frames and trailers seemed to be almost uniformly dirt colored, whatever the dirt color was in their area, with a healthy dose of gray grime mixed in.

[pdx1955]

Just got my Vern Henderson logger from BLW today, and not owning any Trainworx trucks up to now , I can probably say that this is one of the best N-scale vehicles that I have even seen. Definitely fills a hole on the roads for me! Needs some weathering to make it look like its been on those muddy or dusty logging roads and deserves a place in the foreground.

[mu26aeh]

I got my 2 today from Pete.  Really happy with them, and glad to see Pat go back to the jewel case for them instead of the cardboard hanger the Fed Ex/UPS and 350/351 tractors came on.

[peteski]

I got my 2 today from Pete.  Really happy with them, and glad to see Pat go back to the jewel case for them instead of the cardboard hanger the Fed Ex/UPS and 350/351 tractors came on.

I wonder if that is because these are considered "extra special" run as opposed to the "plain" UPS and FedEx tractors?
So each of those relatively small tractors is packed in the standard medium size jewel box (since I don't think TWX has small jewel boxes)?

[cfritschle]

I wonder if that is because these are considered "extra special" run as opposed to the "plain" UPS and FedEx tractors?
So each of those relatively small tractors is packed in the standard medium size jewel box (since I don't think TWX has small jewel boxes)?

Peter,

It's the same sized jewel box Trainworx used for their 40-ft trailers.

[mu26aeh]

Here ya go Pete

[peteski]

Thanks!  So yes, it is what I call a medium-size box (to me small box is the size that MTL uses for their 40/50' cars).  I like the fact that they use jewel box but look at all that unused real estate in the box. It could easily house 2 tractors.  Not complaining, mind you - just making an observation.

[Cajonpassfan]

They should just change their name to "Truckworx" and be done with it....
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

I suggested last year that they start a new division named "Truckworx", since they'd probably sell at least as many of these to truck fanciers as to model railroaders.

I can remember when Trainworx specialized in turning wheel flanges for folks wanting to use code 40 track.  Pat did well over a hundred locomotives for me.  I think my two Overland Little Joes were probably among his last projects.

[nkalanaga]

I got mine today, the log truck and John Zwergel's K100.  Very nice, and I look forward to more log trucks.  But I can see that future purchases may take a little kitbashing.  I'm NOT going to start changing Mr. Henderson's truck!

The big problem is that most of my logs are too short for the truck.  Part of the problem is that my logs were cut from a dead tree (some type of conifer) almost 20 years ago.  Being dead, they were dry, but have apparently continued to shrink over the years.  I cut them to 40, 32, and 20 foot lengths, but most of my 40 ft logs are now closer to 38 ft.  They barely reach from one bunk to the other.  I have a picture of a similar truck, taken in Washington years ago, and its load is about 46 ft long.

Now, a 46 ft log wouldn't fit my narrow gauge log cars, or most of my standard gauge.  So, something has to give.  Looking over the new truck, I can see two changes, one easy, and one not so.  First, not all log trucks in the Northwest have the extended frame on the tractor.  Many do, but some have just a "stinger", not much bigger than the reach on the trailer, with the pintle hook.  Some don't have any extension at all, with the rear of the frame barely past the mud flaps.   Either style could shorten the truck enough for my long logs.

The harder change is to the trailer.  On many (most?) log trailers, the reach can slide in the wheel assembly.  I also have a picture of a log truck, of this design, with logs about 20 ft long.  The trailer wheels are almost up to the tractor, and the end of the reach sticks out so far that it has a red flag on it.  That truck has a very short "stinger", leading me to suspect that it may also be adjustable.  Since the model reach isn't a separate piece, moving the wheels will take some work.   Once I have a few more trucks to play with, I'll have to try it.

Oh, and to answer a previous comment of mine, my narrow gauge log loads fit the bunks perfectly.  So, except for length, I can use the same loads, and keep all of my logs looking the same.

[wazzou]

On all of the kits I've built so far, I have cut the extra length of the frame off where the mud flaps attach and also cut the stinger from the trailer wheel assembly, then fashioned a new longer one from styrene strip, drilled and pinned where the original was removed.
I've also shortened the height of the stakes to better represent 1960's heavier, larger diameter logs.
I'll post an earlier picture later on.

[cfritschle]

I got mine today, the log truck and John Zwergel's K100.  Very nice, and I look forward to more log trucks.  But I can see that future purchases may take a little kitbashing.  I'm NOT going to start changing Mr. Henderson's truck!

The big problem is that most of my logs are too short for the truck.  Part of the problem is that my logs were cut from a dead tree (some type of conifer) almost 20 years ago.  Being dead, they were dry, but have apparently continued to shrink over the years.  I cut them to 40, 32, and 20 foot lengths, but most of my 40 ft logs are now closer to 38 ft.  They barely reach from one bunk to the other.  I have a picture of a similar truck, taken in Washington years ago, and its load is about 46 ft long.

Now, a 46 ft log wouldn't fit my narrow gauge log cars, or most of my standard gauge.  So, something has to give.  Looking over the new truck, I can see two changes, one easy, and one not so.  First, not all log trucks in the Northwest have the extended frame on the tractor.  Many do, but some have just a "stinger", not much bigger than the reach on the trailer, with the pintle hook.  Some don't have any extension at all, with the rear of the frame barely past the mud flaps.   Either style could shorten the truck enough for my long logs.

The harder change is to the trailer.  On many (most?) log trailers, the reach can slide in the wheel assembly.  I also have a picture of a log truck, of this design, with logs about 20 ft long.  The trailer wheels are almost up to the tractor, and the end of the reach sticks out so far that it has a red flag on it.  That truck has a very short "stinger", leading me to suspect that it may also be adjustable.  Since the model reach isn't a separate piece, moving the wheels will take some work.   Once I have a few more trucks to play with, I'll have to try it.

Oh, and to answer a previous comment of mine, my narrow gauge log loads fit the bunks perfectly.  So, except for length, I can use the same loads, and keep all of my logs looking the same.

Once the truck parts are back in stock, it should be easy to built a log truck that is exactly the length you need it to be.  If you scroll almost all the way to the bottom of this page, you will see one that Steve Pawlow built starting with a semi-tractor frame.  http://www.train-worx.com/truckgallery.htm

It definitely will handle logs that are shorter than 40 feet.

[nkalanaga]

For my era, the tractor frame itself, front bumper to mud flaps, is fine, although there were shorter ones.  I probably won't shorten that distance, as I don't need to haul anything less than 20 ft.  And I won't shorten all of the frames, as the TW version was common. 

Modifying the reach will be a priority.  What I'll probably do is to find a styrene strip the right size, and cut pieces of both sides of the wheels.  The total length is fine, it just needs to be redistributed.   Or maybe 1/16 inch square brass tube, and a 1/32 inch diameter rod through the wheel assembly.  That would be a lot stronger.

Bryan:  I've also seen pictures with the longer reach you're modeling.  At least one had the reach sticking out at least 10 ft in front of the tractor.

And, for those who want a smaller box, the inserts can easily be trimmed with scissors to fit a small (MT) freight car box.  Just cut around the truck pocket, so that the whole thing sits snugly in the new box.

[James Costello]

Thanks!  So yes, it is what I call a medium-size box (to me small box is the size that MTL uses for their 40/50' cars).  I like the fact that they use jewel box but look at all that unused real estate in the box. It could easily house 2 tractors.  Not complaining, mind you - just making an observation.

Probably just the same box they use for the 100t quad hoppers....

[OldEastRR]

This whole Trainworx trucks thing is nuts!!  Those speculators will then sell those models on eBay for outrageous prices.  Funny that the Micro-Trains collectible marked died out, but now we have Trainworx collectible trucks. A new and exciting collectible!    I still say that Trainworx is doing a disservice to modelers by all those limited runs. Hopefully they will re-run these.  I'm still waiting for truck parts.  This model truck market has obviously exploded - I hope that Trainworx realizes that and adjust their production accordingly.

I don't think the model truck market has "exploded". What is more likely that in North America there are more collectors of scale model trucks then there are N scalers. And they collect everything from 1:24th size down to N relentlessly.