AJC
Western Thunderer
Oh, I don’t know, later versions appeared in some apparently improbable places (including Tavistock and St Ives, off the top of my head).
Oh, I don’t know, later versions appeared in some apparently improbable places (including Tavistock and St Ives, off the top of my head).
AJC
Western Thunderer
“Hello, Prototype for everything department…?”
The Scammell Townsman at St Ives was perhaps most surprising! Can I find the picture offhand? No...
Adam
Rob R
Western Thunderer
A global war where the logistics for the other side relied mostly on genuine horse power.
simond
Western Thunderer
Well, a couple of glitches, but I’m confident that the Mk2 is rather better than the Mk1
I’m astonished how much too tall the first one is. And I checked, it matches the kit.
It would have helped if I had painted the doors, I could have fitted them!
There is a strange kink in the A pillars just below Bert’s hand, on both sides, I shall have to look at the CAD and the printing supports. The roof too has some minor deformations which are due to printing.
Looking at the wheels, the lack of tread (and no deformation at the contact patch) shows, maybe I can do something about that in Mk3.
And thanks to the links provided by @Osgood I discovered that this version of the Mechanical Horse had trailing link forks, rather than the single sided suspension that the Scarab has, so that bit of the model is wrong.
It needs a mirror, starting handle, headlight and number plates, but I’m pleased that it captures the real thing quite nicely.
Gratuitous extra photo
I’m astonished how much too tall the first one is. And I checked, it matches the kit.
It would have helped if I had painted the doors, I could have fitted them!
There is a strange kink in the A pillars just below Bert’s hand, on both sides, I shall have to look at the CAD and the printing supports. The roof too has some minor deformations which are due to printing.
Looking at the wheels, the lack of tread (and no deformation at the contact patch) shows, maybe I can do something about that in Mk3.
And thanks to the links provided by @Osgood I discovered that this version of the Mechanical Horse had trailing link forks, rather than the single sided suspension that the Scarab has, so that bit of the model is wrong.
It needs a mirror, starting handle, headlight and number plates, but I’m pleased that it captures the real thing quite nicely.
Gratuitous extra photo
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AJC
Western Thunderer
Very nice Simon. That said, looking - as one does - at images of the real thing in service, I can't help but note the lack of dents in the tin work [coat on, door open...].
Adam
PS - you know that the Southern (an possibly other operators), converted some of these for battery electric operation? I don't have the book with the pictures to hand here, but can provide when I'm back home.
Adam
PS - you know that the Southern (an possibly other operators), converted some of these for battery electric operation? I don't have the book with the pictures to hand here, but can provide when I'm back home.
Brian McKenzie
Western Thunderer
Quite by chance, picked up a copy of 'British Railway Modelling' (January 2014) which has a 5-page article on assorted Mechanical Horses.
It includes an image of Scammell's six ton automatic coupling mechanism, which apparently was adopted by all makers from 1934.
It includes an image of Scammell's six ton automatic coupling mechanism, which apparently was adopted by all makers from 1934.
AJC
Western Thunderer
I'm not sure whether it was in house by Scammell or by the SR themselves on otherwise superannuated kit. The accompanying text, as I recall, implies the latter.
Adam
EDIT: the book in question is this one - A Pictorial Parade of Southern Region Road Vehicles
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simond
Western Thunderer
Brian, when you say “image”, it wouldn’t be a drawing with key dimensions by any chance?
Apropos my comment about the different “gauges”, they’re visible on the Mechanical Horse website, even on the scarab drawings which are certainly later than 1934 - drawing dated ‘57. Curious.
mechanical-horse-club.org.uk
Apropos my comment about the different “gauges”, they’re visible on the Mechanical Horse website, even on the scarab drawings which are certainly later than 1934 - drawing dated ‘57. Curious.
Scarab Mechanical Horse Particulars
3 Ton Scarab Mechanical Horse 6 Ton Scarab Mechanical Horse ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION GENERAL Engine, clutch, gearbox and driving axle built on Unit construction principle mounted at the front on lar…
mechanical-horse-club.org.uk
Osgood
Western Thunderer
The Scammell version was news in an Oct. 1937 edition of Commercial Motor (source Commercial Motor Archive).
A 10hp motor allowed a 4T payload.
On Sunday I came across a full article including photos with bodywork removed showing battery installation etc but the archive search tool is being a bit clunky just at the moment.
AJC
Western Thunderer
Thanks Tony! The Commercial Motor archive is a gem - but trying to negotiate with a two-year-old meant I hadn't got that far. I'll have a look in a bit - the URLs do seem to be static so should be pastable when they are found again.
Adam
simond
Western Thunderer
My 28-year old was two when we visited Dartmouth. I was watching the trains across the river through my telephoto lens looking for “the perfect shot”, from the front room of our rented house, when I became aware of a rather irate, but quiet voice.
My little darling had dialled 999….
never did get the photo.
My little darling had dialled 999….
never did get the photo.
Giles
Western Thunderer
I do have new unopened Superscale 3 ton Mechanical Horse and trailer kit if you wanted to borrow it to measure up. It's not something I particularly want to sell, as sometime I plan on making a twin for my RC one (also the same Superscale kit....). I know the one you've done is the 6 ton version....
Brian McKenzie
Western Thunderer
Went back to the library and photted the article (pm'd to Simon).
There was this diagram, without dimensions, but perhaps scaleable.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Simon - I don't know which version of the Scammel this is but here are a couple of photos taken from the GCR house magazine. This was in use for the "Railways at Work" gala.
Apologies for the poor quality but I'll scan if they are of any help. Better still go and see the vehicle for real although from earlier comments I believe there are a few in preservation. I also appreciate that any vehicle in preservation may have been modified.
Brian
Brian
Apologies for the poor quality but I'll scan if they are of any help. Better still go and see the vehicle for real although from earlier comments I believe there are a few in preservation. I also appreciate that any vehicle in preservation may have been modified.
Brian
Brian