Lombard Log Hauler

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I saw an ad in February RMC that Model Tech Studios has a Lombard Log Hauler in HO scale. The ad also mentions O and N scale, but HO is the only on shown on the site.

http://mts.inline.net/merchant.ihtml?pid=752&lastcatid=9&step=4

If you are doing an old logging layout, it would be an interesting addition.

I have read about these in Downeast Magazine. The driver sits on the seat in front of the boiler and steers the front skids and the fireman is in the cab shoveling coal or wood. If you picture one of these beasts heading down an icy road with a string of log bunks behind and basically no brakes, you can see why these were called widow makers

2

This link will take you to photos of a full size Lombard under steam. Say Large Snowmobile???

http://www.allroutes.to/modeltandlombard/

rich

3

Thanks for the info and link(s)! When I read the first post, I thought I’ve gotta get me one of those. Then I saw the $99.00 price and lost interest. Whoo - a lot of a little!

I have a special interest in the Lombard Log Hauler because I’ve visted the Lumbermans’ Museum in Patten, Maine twice and have photographed the one they have on display there. Also saw one in New Hampshire too. I’d sort of thought of making one on my own (there was an article in RMC many years ago on making one), but I never got around to it. Guess I’ll have to do without.

4

I posted a similar message on the Yahoo MEC group and got some further information in the replies:

FYI; You can see one of these beasts eyeball to eyeball in the lower end of Wtvl. [Waterville, ME] down where you go to cross the bridge to Winslow. Don H.

Another FYI …There is Steam Lombard at Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln, NH. It was restored and operated a few years back. There has been a lot of chat recently about Lombards on the 4L Yahoo list. 4L equals The Loyal Legion of Logged-on Loggers. Steve LaBonte

You can also find one at the Lumberman’s Museum in Patten Maine. http://www.mainerec.com/logger.shtml . spudcol

Please note that the Lombard was the first machine to use catipiller tracks. Ernie

I agree with Railhpotog that the price is steep, in addition to the Lombard, you would need to buy or scratchbuild a bunch of log bunks for the machine to pull then model a winter scene to show it operating in its natural environment.

5

Thought you guys might like to see the “muscle car” version of the Lombard, Here’s a few pics of a hauler called (I think) a Climax log hauler. Took them at the logging museum in Rhinelander, WI in '71. These things look like the result of crossing a Shay with a Snow Cat. Check out the position of the driver. [:)] And the driver also has no throttle control - not a real confidence-builder…