I’m looking for any photos of Espee Jordan Spreaders that are dated from the 40s through the 50s. Unless I missed one, SP spreader photos that I can find under Google Images and under the many SP sites all seem to be from recent decades. The oldest thing from their roster that I can imagine so far is a pic of Overland’s HO brass model of MW4033 but don’t know the date of the prototype that was used for its design. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I’d like to match up the old Walthers 932-5353 kit (perhaps with the Custom Finishing 247-317 low plow mod) with what was likely yarded along with SP’s older steam rotaries.
I hope I’m not putting you crook but according to this link, Southern Pacific SPMW 4047 a Jordon “Type A”, built in 1929, is shown in its 1953 rebuilt state. I’m finding the link a bit unusual to use as you have to hold icon over the particular item in the list to see the photo and accompanying information.
http://www.tminst.org/pages/TM_Walking_Tour.shtml
This site would appear to confirm the 1953 rebuild date of SPMW4047…
http://espee.railfan.net/spreaders.html
…and there’s more photos of SPMW4047 here….
http://www.pbase.com/clivew/sp_snow_equipment
You might have already accessed this but there’s some outlines of various Type A spreaders here…
Wow, Bear, I’ve hit the jackpot! Especially appreciated are the history notes along with the sites you’ve provided. It’s evident that there’s a lot of bashing ahead at this point, a clue to that being found in the note toward the bottom of the Espee Modeler’s site, which indicates that the Walthers kit doesn’t resemble the SP spreaders. Looks like the Sacramento shops did a lot to the back end. One benefit is that two of the spreaders are here in Oregon, one just 30 minutes away! I can do my own photos, now. This is very appreciated. Good on ya’!
BTW, I note your location. Are you a big All Blacks follower? I played fullback some years ago at Michigan State University and then toted a whistle for a few more. Actually, “some” is MANY. Game’s a tad bit different now, especially the way the big boys play it!
John
[#offtopic]
Good Grief!! A North American who not only knows that you can play a sport with an oval ball without wearing a helmet, wearing more padding than the Michelin Man, and stopping every few seconds for a breather, but he’s actually played the game!!
Gidday John, I shouldn’t be quite so facetious as I gather that those who play rugby in the States are as passionate as those of us in the recognised “rugby” nations.
My rugby playing days, which ended prematurely due to a car accident, was in the amateur era when All Blacks were not swathed in cotton wool and unless otherwise committed, played for their local clubs, so I got to play against one All Black and another future one. I started off as a Lock but ended as a Tighthead Prop. This was also in the days when rucking was allowed!!
Not so sure the game has changed for the better!
Well that’s a bonus, and you’ll be able to get measurements as well, it may be a little challenging, and perhaps at times frustrating, but it would be a satisfying scratchbuild. Good luck, have fun, and I’m sure I’m not the
I agree with Bear! At first glance the spreaders appear to be rather complex but in fact they are built out of relatively simple components. Evergreen has all the shapes needed to duplicate the exposed framing and the rest is flat sheet, with the exception of the top of the nose plow. For the curved bits, .005" brass sheet would do quite nicely. Just roll in around the handle of your X-acto knife.
I did a Roundhouse 3 in 1 kit version a while ago. It is crude (I didn’t know any better at the time), and it could be far better detailed, but it conveys the message:
Dave