dieseldog1970

THANK YOU REVELL!!!! THANK YOU TIM FOR ALL YOUR HARDWORK....KUDO'S, HIGH FIVES AND IF WE EVER MEET....A COLD ONE!!!!

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!! 1932-33 Dodge...stock and chopped top 1989-93 P/U with a 12V Cummins 2002-05 P/U with a 24V Cummins 2005 Power Wagon 2005 SRT10 2011-13 P/U with a 6.7 Cummins and one more BIGHORN!!!

The starter cranked and Angie rumbled to life...in the cab, Frank did a final check on air presssure and oil pressure...she was ready to move under her own power! He reached down, released the brakes and slid the transmission into gear, as she started to inch forward, the door was raised and daylight was a few feet in front of her and Frank. Now both local radio and television stations had contacted management about being in the plant for the last day...thankfully, they were told that this was a private day for employees only and did not have access. This did not stop the tv crew from setting up at the back of the lot, sitting on the railroad tracks (!!???), the crew was able to film Angie as she came out the door. The back of the building had people all over the place as she came out, everyone was jockeying for position, trying to get the best pictures possible. Frank brought her all the way out, and turned her around...he drove Angie back into the plant, taking her back to the start of the line. The company had organized a luncheon for everyone there, and she was the STAR of the show...tables had been set up, food was ready to be served. As Frank drove the truck down the line, some employees went ahead and pulled airlines out of the way, when she was clear of the Cool Down booth, he stopped, pulled the brakes and shut her down. A loud cheer went up and everyone was clapping....Frank jumped down, and waited for the noise to die down....he made the confession that after all these years, he had never had a proper license to operate the trucks....(now if this is true, I have NO idea? I think he was joking)...everyone burst out laughing and the luncheon was started. One of the gifts that were handed out to all remaining employees was a coffee table book, a local artist had been hired to photograph people and places in and around the plant, from frame station to the warehouse...black and white photos of the people who gave it their all, and the various sections where all the pieces came together. I still have this book, and go through it occasionally, remembering the faces of friends, and my time there.... to be continued....

So the line carried Angie forward to the other stations, at each one, my co-workers would do their normal jobs, just like every other day...but this time...we all knew it was different. Management stood shoulder to shoulder with plant and warehouse staff, there was a common bond between all of us, we were family, we laughed and joked around, cried and hugged as the sound of impacts echoed through the plant. Angie stood proud...now that she was on her own wheels, the dolleys that carried her from Frame Station all the way to this point, had been removed. The talk going around was that we were towing Angie offline due to shortages...and this did not sit well with any of the plant staff...calls were made, bins were double checked, we searched all over...seeing if there were any spare pieces that had been hidden....it was not looking good. Without authorization from management, a group of employees hatched a plan to make sure that the very last truck we built was going to be driven offline....not towed! This group went out to our Shipping Row, here the trucks that were already built and waiting for delivery to the dealers sat...these would be the cannabalized for mission. Tools were gathered and air lines stretched outside, the workers quickly gathered what parts were needed. Four or five trucks had various components removed and taken back into the plant, top brass were not to happy about it, but I think secretly....they wanted the same thing!!! This group of workers converged onto the line, orders were given, parts went on and final checks were made....she was ready!! As a group, we thought that the only person who should drive this thing out would be Frank...35 years with the company...he had just celebrated this with top brass during a luncheon earlier that year. Frank was our number 1 guy in senority...he spent his time in Mock-Up...working side by side with the engineers on testmules, as they constantly looked at ways to make the truck more operator friendly. During his luncheon, the company presented him with some gifts, one of which was his ORIGINAL application form...from 1967...now mounted in a nice frame!!! We managed to track Frank down and brought him back to Angie....he was laughing and joking around, surprised that he was chosen to run her out the door. He reached up and opened the door...climbing in and settling into the seat, he could look out and see all of us....like proud parents....surrounding the truck....one big family. He reached down and turned the key.....

My computer hates my stories....this forum.....or ME.....OR this forum has ot out for me??? 3 times I have tried to continue the story...3 times it would not save???? Hmmmmmmm......where is that 5 pound sledge hammer.....I will try again later

Since I am a MOPAR guy......in 1/25 scale please..... 1968 Dodge Coronet/ Super Bee/ R/T in both HT and convertible 1971/72 Dodge Demon 1970 Plymouth Road Runner and SuperBird 1980 Dodge PowerWagon 1988/89 Dodge Diplomat/ Plymouth Fury 1998 Dodge 4X4 with a 12V Cummins 2005 Dodge Power Wagon 2012 Dodge Pickup with both SRW and DRW options and a 24V Cummins aaannnndddd.....I would love to see a 1933 Dodge, both stock and chopped top for those who want a MOPAR street rod my .02 cents

Only way this would bother me is if I was building a diorama, with more choices for vehicles, figures, buildings and equipment...it is a no brainer....1/25th!!!! But I am not doing that, so I would be happy to be able to buy whatever MOPAR model is available....in whichever scale. Those Chevy and Ford fans have alot more to pick from...with the different years and models, so I will build both scales. The difference is more noticable with cars and trucks, not so much with the tractor trailers...but maybe I have not really paid that much attention to them,I think it is easier to mix scales with the latter.

So to continue with the story..... I reached up and hit the switch, the door slowly went up and the the line jerked forward, pulling Angie out into the station. People were clapping and taking pictures, some of the more emotional ones had tears running down their faces. The line came to a stop, John, Terry and myself did one final look to make sure the chassis was ready, I went back over to my station and made sure my impact and bolts were ready. I was waiting for the front engine mount, a shortage that was being received in the warehouse and would be delivered when cleared. There were lots of shortages, with so little parts coming into the plant, Angie was going to be like the previous ten trucks...missing a variety of items, but this was one that had to go on, so we wait. I walked over to our drop bin as the forklift rolled up, taking out the mount, double checking the part number and turned back towards my station. I flipped the bracket over and started to write my name and employee number on it in yellow paint pen, Terry asked why I was signing the back...no one would ever see it? I responded..."Exactly! The only way my name will be seen is if they have to pull the motor, all the others may wear off over time, but this one is going to be there for a very long time!" I checked to make sure paint was dry, and fastened the mount to the front of the engine, only thing left to do was drain the oil and install the pan heater. I quickly raised the engine up to the rack, positioned the oil drum underneath and cracked open the plug, I spun the pan heater in, tightened it done and hooked up the electrical harness. Using the control box I raised the motor up off the rack and over to the right, I handed off the controls to Terry who nodded at John that he was ready. As they started dropping the motor, I grabbed my camera and continued to take pictures, stopping to chat with my fellow workers who came to watch, flashbulbs went off as other people took pics, tears rolled down the faces of some. The motor was tightened down, fuel tanks went on and lines hooked up, everything went on without any problems, everyone was giving 150% and making sure that this truck had no mistakes. Terry, John and myself shook hands on a job well done, our foreman gathered us up and took everyone outside to the back, the company was getting pictures of all the remaining employess at each area, we were to receive a copy when they got printed. Engine line and Engine drop, we stood together for the last time...our picture, frozen in time as the line continued to move forward...taking Angie to her next station. to be continued...

You are correct Dave, it was like a family member dying...the tombstone was a very important piece that day, it was an end of an era for Kelowna, the Canadian workers and Western Star.

Thanks Ron....that is the exact truck I was talking about!!! I only seen a picture of the tractor...did not know that there was a trailer done up to match...that is one bad looking truck!!! I wonder what ever happened to it.....???

Out in the daylight for the first time... "Angie" and myself.... This sign was above the Tool Crib, one of the painters did this up after JD Powers rated us NUMBER 1 AGAIN in customer satisfaction, making it 4 years in a row...and we were shutting the doors...!!???

This pic should have gone before the last one, hood is ready to be installed... All fired up and ready to roll..... Coming at ya!! End of the line...

As the engine is getting installed, prep for fuel tanks is started. You can see how empty the line is back through the cool down booth, under normal circumstances, it would never be that bare and quiet. Cab and Sleeper drop. Bolting everything down... Hood drop...

Rolling out of Cool Down.... On the left is my Leadhand who is sitting on the primary chassis line, you can see how close the two lines were.... Open up and say aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

In the Cool Down Booth...waiting for her debut.... Engine Drop Station

Every motor that was very last one for that series, I would write the day of install. One of 5 signatures for me on the truck, years of service and employee number. Myself, John and Terry who dropped motors. The tombstone for "Angie"

All these pics were taken with my old 35mm, so the quality is not that good, I tried to lighten and clean them up.

Transmission Station...more signatures the other side... Yes...this is inside the bell housing!! I do not know how long Dave's name would last...but he definately left his mark!! Engine Prep...my station...to the right you can see the rack that I would rest the motor/trans on while draining the oil.

Sleeper Line...not finished just yet... This is how Carsten first seen the motor before our chat... Now this is a "Signature" motor!! More signatures....

Frame Station...just before the chassis goes into the prep booth for final masking and prep. Found this sign while the chassis was at Frame Station Cab Line...most of the interior is already installed Proud to be...

Thanks Jim....how the heck do ya get the pics here though...instead of just a link???

http://s1251.photobu...mview=slideshow So this is my photobucket.....tell me if this works...Thanks!

So how the heck does a non-computer guy get pics from photobucket to here........?????

going to try and post photos.......

GRRRRR.........Sat here for an hour writing and the dang thing would not save post......will try again!