Ten Fordson Machines

[Hydrostat]

Looks very good to me, Gordon.

Where is the sand box? Or didn't they have to use sand for dry climate? As far as I understood taking a look at Ray's monorail pictures this one ran on a middle steel rail and wooden side rails? If so the side pulleys may be not this shiny but somewhat polished rusty brownish? That was my impression in similar technical purposes at damp areas which of course may create completely different effects. So please don't take this too seriously. I'm simply keen on your work.

Cheers,
Volker

[Chuck Doan]

Oddly enough, I have never seen a sandbox on these locos, even though they were prominent on every other one. Even the last gas-electric hybrid behemoth had a small sander on it.


This is a crop of the only pic I have seen of one of these out on the line (and hauling furniture, not ore). Mostly they sat in the yards unused.

[Hydrostat]

Very interesting, Chuck. Is there any more information about this railway available at the web? The guy in front of the engine should take care of his apron ... I see I was wrong with the pulleys .

Cheers,
Volker

[Chuck Doan]

I search:

Epsom salts monorail
Death valley monorail
Magnesium monorail

Not a whole lot, but occasionally a new archive source comes to light. I recently found a couple of colorized lantern slides in the Autry collection.

[Hydrostat]

Whow!-Thanks a lot again, Chuck. Looks like they had some steep gradients on the line. Interesting idea with the monorail system and all the wooden pillars to avoid expensive earth movements, but this surely was a maintenance nightmare!

Volker

[Scratchman]

Here's a photo of my other two monorail locos. At this time I don't know what my next Fordson machine will be. I still may do the  Bulldog/Willamette Straddle Lumber Carrier (axle chain drive). Using 1:48 scale Bill Roy kit for the plan. I have decided not to build the Skagit M.A.C.  Tugger Hoist" (axle chain drive). Using 1:48 scale Bill Roy kit for the plan. I think I would like to find a prototype and make my own plans for these two machines.

Monorail diorama is still at the very start of the the planing stage I don't know if I have that big of a project left in me but I do have a start. The diorama is 48 inches long 28 inches deep and 24 inches high. The back half will be elevated above the front half. The 60 scale feet of monorail track will be in the back and a road to place other machines on will be in the front. If I do build the diorama I will add some monorail rolling stock I'm thinking of building a freelance tool-car, water-car and maybe a crew-car, those would be fun.





Gordon Birrell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/

.

[Chuck Doan]

If I had your skills I would consider building a Trackson. Just sayin'

[5thwheel]

   Sorry Gordon,  since there are no like buttons here I will just have to post Like, like, like. Otherwise I'm speechless (wordless?).

Bill Hudson

[Ray Dunakin]

Absolutely beautiful work!

[Hydrostat]

Yes, it is.

Volker

[Scratchman]

Thanks guys for your comments. With a few basic measurements the Trackson looks like a possible project.

Irish Fordson Trackson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWmcoIY2knY

Gordon Birrell


http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/

[finescalerr]

Trackson schmackson. I think you should tackle the diorama. Can you imagine how cool it will be when it's finished? -- Russ

[Scratchman]

Roadless Tracktion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DmMPfCoE6E

Gordon Birrell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/

[Chuck Doan]

I've got a lot of pics including disassembled tractor projects if you get the itch.

[Scratchman]

Thanks Chuck, I think I have the itch and would like to get a better look at the Trackson so any help you can give me would be great. I may be able to use 1:35 scale tank tracks. Do you know if the Tracksons made in England are the same as like the one in the Hays Museum? 

Thanks Russ for the push on the diorama. I am cutting and staining the wood parts for the track work, and I will start a new thread on the diorama when I get some track work started. 





Gordon Birrell

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/