I have located and purchased a number of the baggage buggies one would find at passenger stations. What I need are the tugs or motorized bugs they used to tow the buggies. I have not found any source for the tugs so far, so other than making them from scratch in HO, I hope some one here has a source. I seem to recall that the tugs looked something like the ones used at airports to tow the baggage carts back in the 50's. Thanks in advance.
Welcome to the forums.
I'm afraid the only things tugging baggage carts that I have ever seen looked a lot like humanoids. Thst's probably because I never passed through a very large station.
My thought is, would something like a golf cart look right? There might be something close to that.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Good luck,
shortlinejoe I have located and purchased a number of the baggage buggies one would find at passenger stations. What I need are the tugs or motorized bugs they used to tow the buggies. I have not found any source for the tugs so far, so other than making them from scratch in HO, I hope some one here has a source. I seem to recall that the tugs looked something like the ones used at airports to tow the baggage carts back in the 50's. Thanks in advance.
Can you provide a photo or a link to one? I am not sure that I have ever seen a tug or even know what it is?
Thanks.
Rich
Alton Junction
I have a couple made by Wiking in the '70's.
They don't look lite tractors. More like the bottom half of an undersized VW van/truck with a flat bed.
The trailers look the same, but without a seat, steering wheel, or front panel.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.modelsforsale.com/listphotos/WIK69619.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalog/index.php%3Fmanufacturers_id%3D13856%253FWiking%26sort%3D3a%26filter_id%3D10999955&usg=__IbcD_bV66Y3NvRMifgEDUI3Aedw=&h=270&w=360&sz=4&hl=en&start=3&itbs=1&tbnid=3aF3C3A814EMFM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwiking%2Bcart%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1
Thanks Tom.
The tugs I recall seeing at the Union Station [NC&StL] and the Chattanooga Southern Terminal, here in ChattTown, looked a lot like an old tractor style Huffy lawnmower, only larger, and painted in the railroad's livery. As a kid, I was fascinated by the way each of the baggage buggies followed the one in front of it and how each one seemed to know exactly where and when to turn as the tug towed them along the 1800 to 2000 feet long butterfly style station platforms. On one occasion, I saw the tug driver weave around the shelter posts with a line of six buggies behind following in an exact path. I guess those memories may give away my age, but they also tell a little of why I have had the fascination with trains all my life.
In various larger cities, like NYC and Washington DC, the stations did not allow gasoline driven machinery and as such, electric may well have been the prime mover for baggage, just like the GG-1's on the PC.
Oh, before I forget, I model the Southern in HO along with a section of Central of Georgia. I am in the middle of scratch building a model of the Terminal Station, and wow, it's taking longer than I thought it would
Well, unless someone finds a source, I guess it's time for some scratch building and since the tug is small, perhaps it will not take too long. Thanks all.
Joe of Shortline
Electric "towing tractors" have been around a long time. If you Google "towing tractor" lots of equipment manufacturers come up. They come in sizes from walk alongs to large ride on tractors.
I think you will have to do some scratch building. I would start by getting the smallest fork lift I could find and cutting off the forks and the roof. That may or may not look unreasonable. A stand up one that I think would be the most common in a train station, is nothing more than what looks like a carved out barrel. Just ad a "T" handle out the top, two dials and an on/off switch and your in business. Also remember these things look very beat up and old a week after purchasing. Don't ask me how I know. Keep us posted and good luck.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Thanks Brent for the forktruck kitbashing idea. That may just do the trick. The only problem may be the rear steering fork trucks normally have, making towing a tricky situation in real time or the real thing.
Joe
If you need electric tugs, this probably won't help, but if you can use gas tractors (perhaps for an associated freight terminal/post office/express agency) what about modifying a J.L Innovative Design classic riding lawnmower (ditch the blade deck for one, and add a hitch)?
This set is sold out but you might find it on ebay or at a train show.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3513
Tomkat, the tugs you led me to are exactly what I was looking for. I did do a search for them but couldn't locate an yon e-bay, so the scratch built thing is still on. After looking through the 2010 Walthers catalogue, I noted them on p. 434 with the butterfly station platform but no included with the kit. Thanks again to all of you.