My layout will have a cement distribution center as one of the trackside industries, and I want to include a few dry-bulk tractor-trailers in the scene. Trouble is, none of the affordable 1:87 vehicle manufacturers (Con-Cor, Herpa, Trident, etc.) make models of North American-type dry-bulk trailers. That being the case, I’ll have to scratch-build a few.
I’ve seen two main types of Heil bulk trailers, with the side and end profiles shown in the drawing below: Cylindrical (type A) and round hopper (type B). My question: Is the type ‘A’ trailer vessel ever used to haul dry concrete? Or is only type ‘B’ used? If I can be prototypically correct using type ‘A’, that will be ten times easier to scratchbuild than the type ‘B’ body.
T-I-A
Have you checked the 1-87 Vehicles site? I know someone was casting the type Bs . As you mentioned affordable, you may have checked but I’m not sure what the cost was.
Ricky
Ricky, the 1:87 vehicles website posted an announcement a year ago that a company named DecalPrint would be producing a kit for that triple-hopper pneumatic trailer, to be sold by Truck Stop Models in May 2011. But when I went to the Truck Stop Models website, they don’t make any reference to it.
I’m guessing that the DecalPrint bulk trailer project must have been cancelled…
UPDATE - I emailed TruckStop Models, and they said they sold their last one earlier today and they’re not sure when they’ll get the next batch from DecalPrint. But that wouldn’t have done me any good anyhow – they cost $80 apiece, still too rich for my blood![xx(]
Check out Kalmbach’s Industries Along the Tracks I do believe the 3rd in the series. Has a chapter all about cement and concrete. Has a photo from what I gather to be 80’s to mid 90’s showing an old Mack R (with a sleeper!) attached to your type A trailer being loaded with cement.
Looking at your little drawings I don’t think it would be hard to build the A type. I live by a rail-to-truck cement facility so I see so many 3-hopper pneumatic trailers I don’t even notice them that much. I do a little more now because there are A LOT of construction projects going on in the area using concrete so their business in the last 3 or 4 months has gone up probably 400%. There is never less than 10 3200 cube “cement hoppers” waiting there. Their 3 spur tracks can only hold about 15 total. A neat little facility though.
Berk, thanks for sharing - that’s great news![:D]
Of course, first I need to find somebody in my club that has a copy of that book where I can see that photo with my own 4 eyes. My layout is set for the early 90’s, so that would be a perfect fit if what you’re telling me proves correct.
All of the ones I’ve seen for many years are your type B or similar where there are some type of chutes to unload.
Richard
Hi Ken.
I’m a bit of a technophobe when it comes to forums and the like, but I hope this reply gets back to you ok.
I noticed your post and thought it worth trying to let you know about some of the HO Dry-Bulk trailers I’ve recently modeled in 3D CAD and uploaded to a site called Shapeways.com
They can print designs in 3D, in various materials, some of which can produce reasonable detail. I have three designs so far. Two are similar tank styles but with different hatch styles (cement or grain). I’ve also created what I think is called a ‘Pig’. I’m looking to add more types in the future, including trailers used in road-trains.
Here’s a link to one of my models :
http://www.shapeways.com/model/1109309/ho-1-87-dry-bulk-trailer-03-bigger-tank.html?li=productBox-search
Barry
There’s a large Portland cement plant in Marana, Arizona along Interstate 10 just west of Tucson, and a very large fleet of 100 or so trucks to deliver dry cement throughout the area (marked CTI). All their trailers are type B.