Michigan madness

[rnagle]

This title "works" on many levels: The Michigan part is obvious, only place in North America where these creatures exist (even here in Ontario, Canada we don't get to run as many axles), madness has the obvious tie-in to spring season basketball "March madness", there is also the "Michigan Madman" E.J. Potter who drag raced some crazy contraptions, and really I must be mad to start another project. (If not I likely will be after prepping 46 tires and wheels!)

Found this photo in a book published by Wm K Walthers, well known model railroad supplier, titled "America's Driving Force: Modeling railroads and the automotive industry". Photo caption reads "Heavy steel coils ride special duty trailers at Detroit, December 1964. Extra axles spread out the weight to reduce wear on the highway. When this photo was taken, most coils were shipped uncovered". This was one of those photos that jumped off the page and said "Model project"!



I'm not sure what is more frightening, the idea of modeling this rig or the fact that I have located enough kits already in the stash to build it!

[gatormarcstaug]

Robert,
That would seem to be a rather interesting and ambitious project. And given your penchant for detailing.I am sure that this build will be educational for me! As centipedes like this are not found anywhere else in ConUS. ButI have a question. As heavy a load as those trailer can carry. It does not look like they are chained down very well. Only one chain per coil??


Be Well
Gator

[rnagle]

As a flatbedder myself I wondered the same thing about load securement. Perhaps rules weren't as strict (or at least as rigidly enforced) back in 1964, another possibility may be that rig has just been loaded and one chain placed per coil for moving out of the mill, additional chains and then tarps to go on next as tarps don't appear to be secured to deck either.

I don't know if rigs like this are still used, I remember seeing 8 axle flatbeds of around 45 - 48 feet in Michigan back in the mid 1990's but not the 3-3-3-2-1 arrangement pictured. B-trains may also have replaced them.

[denc]

Robert this is a great model subject that I'll be watching. Is it safe to assume that is a "Michigan road train"?

[rnagle]

Yes, Michigan road train is one of the terms used, another you may see is "centipede" or "Michigan centipede".

[Deleted]

That's going to be an interesting project! Looking forward to progress. Are you going to upgrade the AMT Ford C-Series with a diesel, or leave it gas?

[denc]

Mar 21, 2015 12:02:00 GMT -5 rnagle said:

Yes, Michigan road train is one of the terms used, another you may see is "centipede" or "Michigan centipede".

Thank you!

[plastictrucker]

Robert, since we last talked about this project I found a few things. There were C1100's , I thought they stopped at 1000.Those wipers were standard on the big 900 and up, optional on the smaller trucks.I think you better call it an 1100 just because.lol.The chains are a head scratcher

[rnagle]

Modelling time has been very limited so not anything to post a picture of however have started prepping AMT flatbed trailer kit platforms and dump trailer frames. By cutting top flange off dump trailer frame sections they will fit right into slots provided in trailer platforms. Near as I can tell rear trailer is slightly longer than lead (I count 1 more stake pocket) so have made one at 22', other at 24'.

[rnagle]

Madness is underway starting with lead trailer. Close spacing of dump trailer kit suspension axles works well for this application:


Flanges on bottom of floor beams added using .020 x .125 styrene strip. .080 rod braces from frame to outside edges of deck also added:

[rnagle]

All those wheels.......the very feature which makes this rig so "modelgenic" may also be the one that puts me over the edge.......

Kit air tank used with scratchbuilt brake valves. There are a lot of brake chambers/slack adjusters too!


Second kit's tridem suspension is start of converter dolly. Kit parts used for hitch on lead trailer as well.