Model Railroading on the Cheap

The crew of Conrail 2836 is cooling their heels at the Yardley Freight Station while the Yardley & Hillton switcher #65 spots this special handling load (New Haven 84217) at the Yardley end ramp ~ work rules say something about road crews are not qualified for spotting cars at local industries.

I was disappointed that the 1/87^th size Caterpillar back hoe’s apparently jointed booms had false hinges, but while it is not good for action – it could work as a shipping load.  I made a rest for the shovel from wood sticks and used brown thread looped around the load and the simulated wood deck then tied on the bottom side out of sight.  I was glad that my photos show the tie-down cables for this special load.  It would fit on a flat car and the overall height of 17 scale feet just barely falls within height limit tolerance. 

    While I was not able to dig a basement hole with this machine – it made an interesting load on a flat car.  It will be a welcome addition to the ‘ High and Wide’ on the Yardley and Hillton.

Now we are passing the Cobb Corn Co. at Hillton Junction with our special handling load.

           Here we see the other side of this special train exiting Wallbridge Upper Tunnel.  Part of Hillton industrial complex is seen on the upper level. Today the high and wide consists of just one car!