Intermodal 1/29 road vehicles

[Anonymous]

I am currently building a small intermodal terminal using USA Trains stock. I am scratch buiding a MIjack 1000 straddle crane 1/29 scale. My problem is road vehicles 1/29 scale, Tractor units and container chassis we call them skeletal trailers in the UK. A side loader would be nice also! Any help would be appreciated. I want the crane to lift the containers from the trains on to something! I live in the UK and have spent two days looking on the web and ebay with no success!

With thanks and Seasons Greetings
Roger Murray UK.

[vsmith]

Hello Roger, Welcome to the forum. Sorry but as far as I know, forget about 1:29 scale vehicles they dont exist. Look for 1:32 scale vehicle, there are plenty of trucks out there at that scale. Die cast and plastic vehicles from almost all eras come in 1:32 scale.

You have just been introduced to one of the screwball scale conflict issues that exist in large scale. Your 1:29 scale trains SHOULD be 1:32 to accurate to scale (i.e. scale 4'-8 1/2 " between rails = 1:32 scale) The manufacturers make them at 1:29 because they "look" heftier at that scale. The best I can suggest is to "make do" with the 1:32 tractor and kitbash modify the trailers to accept the 1:29 containers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the welcome and the info!

I kind of guessed as much but it was worth the long shot you never know all thats out there.

I thought they used 1/29 cause it is 3 x 1/87 "HO"?

I will now search out some suitable tractor units.

Thanks again

[bman36]

Hi Roger,
Welcome to the forum. As vsmith said welcome to our world. Try to relax with the scale issue on trains versus all the different equip. available out there. I have seen 1/32 scale tractor trailers made by Testors Corp. They looked fairly decent to me. I drive the real thing here in Canada so I am fussy on detail and overall appearance. I also saw a bunch made by some company I don't recall right now. I saw them at a petro stop in Saskatchewan. My next highway trip will be on Sunday so I will stop and check it out for ya'. I will post as soon as I know. Merry Christmas!!! Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hi Brian, Thanks and Merry Christmas. I have found lots of 1/32 tractor units but no chassis trailers anywere! might have to get a trailer and take the top off and make it a bit bigger as vsmith suggested! Look forward to hearing from you again. Cheers. Roger Murray.

[bman36]

Hi Roger,
In Saskatchewan tonight. Get to use the computer at the hotel. Anyways I was able to stop and check on those trucks for you. The company is called New Ray. Web site is www.new-ray.com . Not sure if they have any intermodal but the trucks are decent. Maybe you could start with a flat deck trailer or a van and strip it down to the frame. I've looked at the trailers in real life and there is not much to them. I would think you could also scratch build by using the existing parts. Hope this helps you out. Have fun. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

have any pics of scratch build train yet?

I'm thinking of doing something like a freight yard

[vsmith]

Hey Roger

check out this link

www.aristocraft.com

Go to new development, check out the Roadrailer system items.

Theres a link for a related line of new trucks and trailers that Aristo will be producing.

It looks like they will be 1:29 scale...how about that?

[BudSteinhoff]

Roger,
I just bought a 1:28 scale metal truck from Walmart.
They have tractors and straight jobs and tanker or box trailers.
These are kits and sell for $27 for the tractors, $19 for the trailers.
These are really nice, detailed, painted and plenty of chrome.
They are made by Testors.
Bud[8D]

[bman36]

Roger,
Just went on the NewRay website. If you click on their store you will find the Tractor Trailers. They have a very good selection of both American and European rigs. But....no intermodal. Will have to see what Aristocraft comes out with. Sounds to me like you are good at kitbashing so it should not be hard to get what you need without being expensive. Time to work on my indoor line. All the best. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hi Roger:

Try this site: www.3000toys.com We've had good sucess with a variety of scales that "fit" G-scale, but as others have said, 1/32 is the best you can find at this moment (till Aristo comes through).

[Anonymous]

As far as I know there aren't too many scale trucks that meet your exact specifications of what you're looking for. But look around, there are some very high detailed trucks for around $20.00 US. That's how I built my truck fleet. Also remember that your intermodial facility, won't have every truck with one brand name.

Have some diversity, but don't make everything even, don't have two Peterbilt trucks, and two Freightliner trucks. Make things uneven Now for trailers, container (skeleton) trailers, can be easily converted from semi tanker type trailers, just take off the tank body, and there's a new container trailer. the only problem with that, you have to buy the truck as well. Whatever you do with the tank is up to your choice.

And never worry about scale, just don't put something from a scale too small to something accurately scaled. And for a small scene in your intermodial facility, add a semi (tow) wrecker truck giving some kind of assistance to another truck. But make the wrecker truck a Peterbilt, I happen to own one, and they look very cool.

[Rod Fearnley]

Hi Roger, I would love to see some pics of your intermodal set up. ???
As for trucks, i am using the 1/32 scale New Ray jobs, got a deal at a sell out. They look just great beside my 1/29 trains. Aristo are making a line of 1/29 trucks, but at nigh on &80 bucks a piece, I can have an awful lot of New Rays for the price of one of theirs[;)]

[Anonymous]

A BIG Thank you to everbody you have all been a terrific help. I havn't been getting emails to say I have a reply so just looked on the off chance.

thanks again will be in touch.

Roger Murray UK