What's the prototype for this?

Do you have a prototype image for this?

Wow, that's different

That is one neat looking car!  I've never seen anything like it.

What is the distance between the center and inboard axle centers?  I have an project in the works that might be perfect for powering this car.

I've never seen anything like that!

The only similar prototype I have seen

The only similar prototype I have seen was used by the Virginian or N&W at one of it's coal piers if I remember correctly. I remember reading about it last week when doing some research for photos of hopper cars, thought it was interesting, but am not going to model the port facilities so did not pay much attention to it.

As soon as I saw your model that is what I thought of. I'm not sure what it would be used for or how it would be used at a steel mill.

I'm sure there were others in use at other locations for maybe different purposes, nice looking model.

Rob in Texas

Take a look here

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/steel-mill-transfer-cars-12187859

Bernd

Transfer car

(cthart) There are many of these cars or kinds like it, being ran inside steel mills. On Bing and Google maps these cars show up on just about every steel mill high line.

(DKRickman) I used the trucks from a Walther's hot metal car kit. According to a scale ruler the spacing between the center and and inbound axles are 4 1/2 feet apart.

(dkaustin) These cars can haul ore pellets, lime stone, coke, sinter, and other material.

(Virginian and Lake Erie) You are correct, N&W did use these kinds of cars in there port coal docks. Attached is a picture of one of those transfer cars.

(Bernd) That link is to the other transfer cars I built. It nice to see some one remembered them. Since the pictures I added a few more details to those cars and redid the hand rails on one of them.

(This picture is not mine. I have no ideal where it come from)

Unusual cars

Don,

I have a high interest in unusual equipment like that. Doesn't matter what it is used for or who owns it.

And, if you want to power it defiantly take Rick up on his offer.

Bernd

Unusual cars

Bernd, Unusual cars is one big reason I start modeling steel mill. A few steel mill cars are available but alot stil have to be modeled. I am always open to ideals and suggestion on modeling cars.  I have sent Rick a message just waiting for a reply.

Still testing

I'm working on a powered truck design, and I have the parts in hand.  Now all I need is enough time at home between trips to actually build and test it.  If it works, it ought to be easy to adapt to fit a self-propelled car like this.

That's all I'll say publicly for now.  When it's ready, I might be making it available for sale, in which case I'll need to pay to be an advertiser in order to share it here.

Interest in Steel Mill

Don,

I've done some research on the unloading of ore boats using the big Hulett's. Already have one Walthers kit. Some time in the future I want to build a diorama of a port that unloads the ore from a boat. Hopefully this summer I'll be able to purchase plans for the Edmund Fitzgerald from Bearco. I'd love to animate a couple of those Hulett's. There's a video on U-tube of a guy that animated a Walthers kit. I'll get to it some day.

Just thought of this. Was it Dean Freytag that did an article in MR on a steel mills?

Bernd

Found the video

Here's the video of the Walther's Hulett kit.

Bernd

Articles, Hulett and mill ideals.

Bernd,

Yes it was Dean that did the articles on steel mills for MR. I have heard in the pass since he has passed other modelers have submitted articles on steel mill modeling to MR but since his passing they say there isn't enough interest in steel mill modeling for them to be published. MRH also had article on steel mill modeling when it first was published, but there was a conflict and the article had to be removed. I think there is an interest in steel mill modeling out there.

I have had luck getting information on steel mills from a few friends and also from a few groups, and like most mills I scratch build a lot of equipment for special use inside them mills. Also a couple valuable sites to go to when modeling steel mill is Bing and Google maps. There birds eye views show a lot of details and interesting equipment with-in the mills that are not seen by pedestrians. I have over 50 ++ mills saved in my favorites on Bing maps and use it pretty regular. Buy looking at the arrangement and placement of buildings I plan on redoing parts of my mill to be more realistic.   

I seen the video of the hulett and it would nice to see them in operation. I am thinking that some of the moving parts were done with Z scale locomotives. There is also a few videos of real thing in operation and also a cab ride under them on a Conrail locomotive.

Wow!

Note that the N&W car has a 6-wheel truck, not sure where we can find such for a model.

not sure where we can find such for a model.

Scratch build one.

Bernd

Unusual rolling stock

Some where in the Way Back I saw a video of this type of car at a gravel/sand pit, I think it was in the MA & PA area.Excellant jobs, might even have to try this!