An old friend revisited

[SpreadAxle]

Remember this one?

I had planned on making it a Michigan train, so here is the pup in progress.

It's beginning to look more like a trailer now. I still have to finish plumbing the brake lines, and the hydraulic line and safety chains. The "dolly" is slightly modified from the kit instructions with more bracing on the tongue. Also, the dump box and frame have been shortened.

Sorry about the blurry pix, I'm still trying to learn my new camera.

Here is the chassis:

If you look at the body closely, you will see small hooks above the rub rail. These are photo-etch brass rope hooks by KFS. They are available from Spualding's(Item #KFS78). I plan to tarp the trailers, so I thought these would be appropriate.

The small ladder sections you see are made from pieces of the cut down rubrail.

Well I hope you enjoyed them. I'm thinking I will have to modify the lead trailer, because from what I've seen on the real Fruehauf Michigan trains, the tailgate on the lead trailer has a noticeable slant towards the front as opposed to the nearly vertical tailgate in the kit.

Edited December 4, 2008 by FlatbedKW

[randx0]

was this truck in an article or something? it seems familiar especially the michigan train part but I don't remember if I saw it here or in a mag but it is a very nice lookin truck!

[SpreadAxle]

was this truck in an article or something? it seems familiar especially the michigan train part but I don't remember if I saw it here or in a mag but it is a very nice lookin truck!

You would've seen it here or maybe one of 2 or 3 other forums. This is the first forum I ever joined, and this truck is the first model I ever restored. I shared the entire restoration process here a year ago. A lot of people liked it, and I've been asked if I ever finished it. Meaning, did I ever build the pup trailer and complete the Michigan Train. So I thought I would share my progress on the pup. Thanks for the compliment.

[mackinac359]

There is an 80's Autocar DC near Sault Ste.Marie, Michigan that your Autocar reminds me of. The 1:1 A-car is in rough shape. Yours is very Michigan Special typical.

Tim

[Jim B]

Looks good, Ray.

Question on dump bodies: I see around here (Central New York) that many dump bodies have two or three small door on the bottom of the main tailgate. Is this usual? Are they just used for salt trucks?

[mistermodel]

Looks good, Ray.

Question on dump bodies: I see around here (Central New York) that many dump bodies have two or three small door on the bottom of the main tailgate. Is this usual? Are they just used for salt trucks?

those are probibly grain haulers

[Jim B]

No, they're regular dump trucks. Construction types.

We don't grow a lot of grain up here. Corn, potatoes, onions, dairy.

[Old Albion]

Ray,

Your right I for one had forgotton about this. Thanks for bringing it back into the lime light. This will look great when the completed pup is added to the rig. It amazes me how these multi axle trailers get around corners. Must cost a lot for tyres?

Great progress keep us posted.

Best Wishes

Dave Bates

[Old Albion]

Ray,

Any progress on the Freight shaker with the flat engine under the middle of the frame?

Dave Bates

[SpreadAxle]

Ray,

Any progress on the Freight shaker with the flat engine under the middle of the frame?

Dave Bates

Actually, Dave, now that I have found some good interior shots of one of these trucks, I will be getting back to it very soon.