Model Railroading on the Cheap

    Now days in HO scale one can find very nice models of cars and trucks that were popular over 50 years ago. I keep an eye out at flea markets for scene supporting trinkets, and then write a little story to explain the setting.

   It looks like the Sunday Afternoon Antique Car / Truck Club has gathered in the parking lot of the machine shop. The machine shop owner’s son drives that little sporty Mercedes convertible near the door. He has invited his friends with old-restored pick-up trucks to stop by for pop and pizza. In the back ground we see the railroad is shoving boxcars to the warehouse.

   The red truck is about a 1939 Ford sporting a ‘Ford V8’ trade mark on the tailgate and separate running boards, the blue one is a 1954 Ford – first year for overhead valve V8.  Then there is a 1950 Chevy by Bush of Germany with an operable tailgate, and a 1946 Chevrolet with a rear view mirror and a single tail light with license plate.  In those days mirrors and tail lights were much smaller and the factory thought that one was enough. The beds of all pick-up trucks in those days had flared sides and wood floors, something you don’t see much of now days. These fine models warm the heart of an old gray head who remembers seeing them in operation.