I gotta say it ...

... those two models you've put out are pretty nice looking ... flat car's always look better (and are a lot more interesting) with something on them.

You may want to take another look at your tie-downs on the model ... essentially there are four "V"s formed: two narrow ones at either end and two much wider ones in the middle (which share a common tie-down point on the flat).  

Tie Downs

Yes, I know the tie down arrangement on my sample photo is completely wrong. I was messing around with a prototype of the chain set and ran out of time to do another one, so I went with the photo I had.

From the photos, I would say this is the most likely chain arrangement:

Hopefully I will get a chance in the next few days to redo it, but first I want to get my code83 joint bars completed!

So much to do... lol.

Thanks for your compliments regarding the loads!

The prototype crane

Bill,

Do you have any idea what model the prototype crane is that modeled its parts for your loads?

Thanks,

Dave

The prototype crane

Nope. All we really know about these is in the photo that Barry took as they *rolled* by his place.

Free Advertising?

Bill, I mean no disrespect to you, I enjoy reading your posts a lot. I'm concerned about basically free advertising and the president it may set for other manufacturers to use the forum for free advertising. 

Um

That's the benefit of being an advertiser here on MRH - you get free advertising.  There is a specific category set up just for advertisers to do this.  Just not a lot of manufacturers take advantage of it.

Yes ...

... Bill is using the "MRH Advertiser Posts" section ... I too am surprised that more don't take advantage of it.  

...

My guess based on the color would be a P&H Coal Shovel...

I apologize

I'm sorry I didn't know. When I look on the site I always click " recent posts ". Advertise away!

Bill is a paying advertiser

As a hopeful manufacturer

I look at Bill's posts and also those from Alkem models and I see a powerful advertising tool. I'll say straight up the interaction both of these advertisers have shown with the members of MRH is driving me towards buying from them more than anything else. When a manufacturer does more than just advertise but takes suggestions and input, answers questions and is part of the community that means a lot to me. 

Similar to a 4800 series

Similar to a 4800 series P&H coal shovel.  Worked for them for a while but with the hydrulic mobile crane division,  

Another piece of the puzzle

Here is a photo of the 3rd load,

Photo also taken by Barry Silverthorn ( http://www.trainmasters.tv )

...

His location would probably be a big help, per iding the company,

It looks like a very small shovel, like the 1900, versus a large shovel like the 4800.

Another option is Caterpillar, but the yellow looks a bit too bright to be Caterpillar.

BelAZ uses a dull goldenrod like caterpillar...

But then there's Komatsu, using a bright yellow like P&D...Plot thickens?

GOT IT!!!

It's a Komatu PC8000-6!

http://www.komatsuamerica.com/equipment/excavators/miningexcavatorsshovels/pc8000-6

It has the distinctive Windows on the counterweight on the back!

If you open the brochure, there's a page with dimensions over the major components of the body.

In here, there's one that is half assembled.  You'll actually be able to make out hte rest of the dimensions of this new piece, whereas it has a pair of large triangle saddles reaching out of it.  The load you have probably missed going through would have been a long box with grate on it, which goes on the new piece but perpendicular to it, so that the counterweight slaps onto the back.

http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?15021-Komatsu-PC8000-6-at-K2-mine-in-Kearl-Lake-Alberta

 Assembly Video..bad angle, alas...

Good find Benny - well done!

I suppose, with so much more info now, I may have to go back to the drawing board. sigh.

oh Benny.

I was just thinking that.

< sigh> also.

The bad news...

If I would re-do this thing, it won't fit on any existing production depressed center flat - so I think I'll leave it alone for now.

...

Your file is all digital, and you probably got at least the dimensions mostly right, so I don't think the parts you already have will change that much.  Maybe a little, but not much.

I also noted that the measurements were over the treads, or over the whole dimension, so your parts could still eb right, more or less.  The counterweight is only 11'9", your's looks to be able that.

I have a plastic"junk" steam shovel I picked up at a christmas auction last year, my plans are to hack it up and put it on flatcars.  Being steam era, it's smaller, on the scale where the cabin would have been small enough to go by rail with the side extensions/walkways removed.  A couple years back someone posted a googlemap image of a Buckyrus yard full of shovel parts and depressed flats.

Chains

Been working on improvements to my chain accessories...

Finer chain, straight binder handles.