Post by muleskinner on Mar 17, 2011 16:41:56 GMT -5
I finally completed this model after finding a set of Die Cast tracks which looked like the ones on the 1:1 at a farm and Construction model show last weekend. They had to be shortened by two links but fit the bill alright. The model depicts a Holt unit which was built in Stockton California and one of the last T-60's to be built. My inspiration for this model came from my memories of seeing one of them grown over in a field in Fieldbrooke, California back in my early high school days and again a short time later in Redwood valley off Highway 299 just out of Blue Lake, going East. That one was also grown over in the brush and had a small redwood tree growing up through the floor. The latter was missing the track units and front tiller and was used to power a mill in the valley, which was nearby and only the foundation remained. Both units were about to disappear into history as they were slowly disintegrating from the elements. These units and units before them was where the name Caterpillar came from which was later adopted to the equipment we know today. When the first one rolled through Stockton, some one exclaimed that it moved like a Caterpillar and the name was born through the merger of Holt and Best companies.
The model is totally scratch built from Evergreen plastic and a few parts from the parts bin. The engine is a combination of two 1926 Mack engines spliced together and the cross valving rocker arms added to them, and the other details to make it represent a E10 gas engine of the time. The radiator and colling system also is scratch built and the fan belt is made from a 3/8 " wide rubber band cut down and spliced together to fit the engine. All braking, clutch and steering systems were made out of Brass wire and the gears for the Tiller and drive system I made from evergreen plastic. I added the trickle tank to the back as the one in Redwood valley looked to have one which fed oil down and underneath to the main and drive gears.
The model was topped of by the addition of a water urn, cup and lunch box Also scratch built and then weathered to give it a lightly used look, as if it had just began on the job for a few months. On the back is a set of hay grapples which were used to drag turns of logs. The coming of these units and others like it finally sealed the fate of the horse, mule and oxen teams as far as log skidding goes in the logging industry.
The model is totally scratch built from Evergreen plastic and a few parts from the parts bin. The engine is a combination of two 1926 Mack engines spliced together and the cross valving rocker arms added to them, and the other details to make it represent a E10 gas engine of the time. The radiator and colling system also is scratch built and the fan belt is made from a 3/8 " wide rubber band cut down and spliced together to fit the engine. All braking, clutch and steering systems were made out of Brass wire and the gears for the Tiller and drive system I made from evergreen plastic. I added the trickle tank to the back as the one in Redwood valley looked to have one which fed oil down and underneath to the main and drive gears.
The model was topped of by the addition of a water urn, cup and lunch box Also scratch built and then weathered to give it a lightly used look, as if it had just began on the job for a few months. On the back is a set of hay grapples which were used to drag turns of logs. The coming of these units and others like it finally sealed the fate of the horse, mule and oxen teams as far as log skidding goes in the logging industry.
