I really don't like vehicles without drivers. This die-cast/plastic Cararama 1:87 Volvo Excavator is quite nice for the price but I need to put a driver in the cab. The cab is completely sealed and it appears as though I will have to crack open the plastic windows to access the interior. Before I do that, however, has anyone done this before?
I am also going to replace the flimsy plastic rails with metal.
Just thought of another cool thing I could try. Use one of my miniature motors with gearbox to turn the top by running the motor's drive shaft through the hole in the centre of the tracks. With a switch make it move back and fourth, add a 555 timer and have it repeat with a fixed interval. Hmmmm ... I'll get out the breadboard tomorrow.
How do you manage to find the time for this, when you are going to build the community layout at the silo? I for one (and there are a host of others) am looking forward to seeing your work on the layout. If its anything like what you have done with the diaramas, it should be something to see!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I'm retired. Besides music, this is my full time hobby. I got up at 2:00 AM with a few ideas for motorizing the excavator. Quietly made some coffee so not to disturb the dogs and my wife and played with motors and gears. Also pulled out some solid wire and staples to form into the shape of the handrails. I am good at soldering - been doing that since 1977. This excavator machine, hopefully animated, will be part of the Walton layout. I'll need more of them.
Also did a search for people drivers in the 2017 Walthers Reference Book - an excellent publication. On page 404 there is a set of six Preiser crane operators, a couple of them might fit into the excavator's cab. That being said, Walthers is currently out of stock. So I am looking at an alternative, modifying a 'regular' working person to sit in the cab. Love the details.
Headed back to Walton this morning as the weather and tides are perfect to hike along the base of the cliffs.
PS. One of the things I am going to do is put local Walton people I have met into the layout. They will love it and I am sure I'll get a lot of ideas and help from them.
I am with you. I don’t like vehicles without drivers unless they are parked. I have no idea how to open up the cab of your machine but I’m sure you will find a way. Look for the seams and figure out how it was assembled. You might have to use some force to pry it loose since it was probably pressed together. It might be on the bottom.
Tint the windows. Problem solved!
Rich
Alton Junction
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe I am with you. I don’t like vehicles without drivers unless they are parked. I have no idea how to open up the cab of your machine but I’m sure you will find a way. Look for the seams and figure out how it was assembled. You might have to use some force to pry it loose since it was probably pressed together. It might be on the bottom.
Brilliant tip - thank you. Found the seam and worked it loose. Everything came apart nicely as though the manufacturer knew some of us would install a driver. Now I just have to find an appropriate driver to put in that seat!
Most all of My trucks that I build, white metal casting kits. pewter kits, polyurethane resin kits and even styrene kits have drivers in them.....My rule is simple...if it is on a street, road, highway etc. it has a driver...just sitting vehicles do not. That escavator has a lot more room in it than some of the trucks I build. I have found I could put any full size 1/87 scale driver in most any vehicle by sanding down their buttocks, sometimes shave the backside of the legs and most always sand down their backs......just like in real life...Your body molds to the seat and is not rigid like the stiff back plastic figures. The only part that most times require additional work are the toes, which will also have to be sanded. Most models do not have room for the feet....like under the dash-board.
I am enclosing a pic or two of a driver from the Preiser crane figures You mention, in a Wheel Works white metal casting kit with added details like Stainless steel ecthed mirrors, brass tube exhaust, rolling wheels and tires by A-line and a redone suspension to have the wheels & tires roll with brass tube.....the vehicle also has a working fifth wheel that raises and lowers by the brass handle on the side of frame. The figure was inserted after the model was completely built and painted. through the side windows. Did a lot of measuring and sanding before and while assembling, to make sure He would fit.
Take Care!
Frank
Nice work Frank! My rules will be basically the same. If the vehicle is operating it must have a driver (unless it's one of those new driverless cars). If it's parked it may have a driver (eg. Drive-in theatre).
I'll put the driver's lunch pail in the roomy cab with him.
More vehicles have arrived for the WRMR. Still haven't found suitable people to install but I will continue to look for them.
I got my truck and crane drivers/operators, from an unpainted Preiser set, Preiser 16335 Truckers Car Drivers Passengers. When I can't find Preiser figures at the hobby shop my go to place is https://www.micromacromundo.com/
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe I got my truck and crane drivers/operators, from an unpainted Preiser set, Preiser 16335 Truckers Car Drivers Passengers. When I can't find Preiser figures at the hobby shop my go to place is https://www.micromacromundo.com/
Excellent! I'll check it out! Thank you.