Mack R688ST

[Warren D]

Maine Locomotive and Machine runs a Mack R688ST.  They haul their 2 foot gauge steam locomotive to some regional shows as well as other things relating to steam locomotives and boilers.  I saw the rig again at the largest model train show in the Northeast US 3 weeks ago, where they set up their 2 footer on a section of track outside the building.  The Mack was parked off to the side and having the AMT R685ST kit doing nothing I decided why not?  The 688 has a 350hp engine and this one has an elongated left side fuel tank.  The real one has some lettering beneath the MLM logo on the door presumably from the previous owner which is peaking out above and below.

The model has an E7 from Auslowe, 1/4 fenders cut down from Auslowe fenders and a few scratch parts.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Warren D
replace photos

[Engine 51]

Very nice!

[Gary Chastain]

Nicely done

[Warren D]

Just noticed I forgot to put the 5th wheel plate on.....oh well, guess I'll have to take new pics!

[Jim B]

Great looking Mack. You going to do the locomotive now?

[Warren D]

10 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Great looking Mack. You going to do the locomotive now?

It would have to be totally scratch built.  I have a Gulfcraft whale watch boat I started 20 years ago that still isn't finished so the odds of me completing a locomotive before I die are pretty slim.

[vincen47]

Excellent! As a railfan, as well as a truck fan, this is a great idea for a build! When you’re adding some more photos, show off that E7, if you can. Great build.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks great! Nice work!!

[yh70]

looks good

[Warren D]

16 hours ago, Engine 51 said:

Very nice!

Thanks!

15 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Nicely done

Thanks

12 hours ago, vincen47 said:

Excellent! As a railfan, as well as a truck fan, this is a great idea for a build! When you’re adding some more photos, show off that E7, if you can. Great build.

Thanks, had to glue the hood down, front radiator guard wouldn't allow it to tilt anyway.

11 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Looks great! Nice work!!

Thanks

46 minutes ago, yh70 said:

looks good

Thanks

[Warren D]

This is the real thing at the model RR show 3 weeks ago

 

[Jim B]

I would say that it's pretty darn close!  Again, really well done.

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[grodudulle77]

Nice build !! ??

[Warren D]

I replaced the photos, new ones have the missing 5th wheel plate and a new stack.  I guess I was so focused on a few little details, I missed the obvious.  I used my tubing bender but still got a little kink.

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[gotnitro?]

Excellent job looks just like the real truck

[Dutzie]

Great looking piece. Nice attention to detail. 

[Warren D]

On 2/19/2023 at 6:58 PM, Jim B said:

Great looking Mack. You going to do the locomotive now?

Well, you got your wish, Jim.  Here's a 1/25 scale Baldwin 0-4-2 plantation loco on the back!  Loco is 3' gauge.

 

[Warren D]

On 2/20/2023 at 11:26 AM, ChrisR said:

Looks great!

Thanks

On 2/22/2023 at 2:43 PM, gotnitro? said:

Excellent job looks just like the real truck

Thanks, I noticed a few things I'd like to fix.

On 2/20/2023 at 7:08 PM, PappyD340 said:

Looks great!

Thanks

On 2/20/2023 at 2:04 PM, grodudulle77 said:

Nice build !! ??

Thanks

On 2/20/2023 at 11:26 AM, ChrisR said:

Looks great!

Thanks

On 2/25/2023 at 7:37 PM, Dutzie said:

Great looking piece. Nice attention to detail. 

Thanks, I've noticed a few things I'd like to do to get it closer so I've decided to do another one once the parts come in.

[Jim B]

That's pretty cool!

[Mopar - D]

Nice looking Mack Warren. Did you build the detachable lowboy?

[Warren D]

9 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Nice looking Mack Warren. Did you build the detachable lowboy?

No, the lowboy is from First Gear

[Brian Austin]

I'm just now finding this build.  What a nice combination.

FWIW, there was a line of Maine 2-foot-gauge models made in 1:24 scale, to run on O Gauge track (2-rail, 1.25" gauge).  These were old-fashioned "craftsman kits" composed of wood bits and castings.  Locomotives and rolling stock were offered.  Product line was called Northeast Narrow Gauge, and was produced through the 1980s.

Unfortunately these models are rather obscure, buried under countless products from various manufacturers scaled to run on larger-gauged track.

Edited May 29, 2023 by Brian Austin