(Old Build) The Seashore Trolley Museum's "Highway Monster" trolley hauler in 1:50 scale.

Brian Austin · April 27, 2021

Back in the '90s I set about to build a replica of the unique bit of equipment the Seashore Trolley Museum built in the early '50s or so to haul newly acquired exhibits back to the museum in Kennebunkport, ME. After a false start, I took the following pictures as the project progressed through 2000.

Edited April 27, 2021 by Brian Austin

Brian Austin · April 27, 2021

The 1:1 trailer was made from intersecting I-beams. The problem with my model is the styrene was perhaps a bit too thin. My trailer turned out to be a bit flexible. Indeed, it was intended to display my diecast Corgi PCC streetcar model, but it's so heavy it causes the trailer to sag a bit. The prototype hauler went through several "revisions" over the years. Mine attempts to depict it as it appeared in the '50s. In later years the gooseneck was swapped for one sourced from a tandem trailer. Luckily the old one still existed on the museum property for me to photograph and measure. Certain details still remained for me to have to guess though.

Brian Austin · April 27, 2021

For the Museum's Mack LJT tractor, I rebuilt a Corgi Classics model. I didn't have to repaint the cab, I simply removed the tampo lettering. Thankfully, the chassis was easy to shorten in wheelbase, as it was made in two pieces held with screws.