Hot Wheels roller from Stop and Shop.
Brand new and before my yard crew used it.
After a few days use.
Tash, Not to rain on your parade or be critical but Matchbox toys are a little bigger than HO scale (something like 1:75) so they are a little out of scale. But, if this gravel pit is on the backside of the layout or not at the focal point of the scene you may be able to get away with it without it being too noticeable. I’ve seen Matchbox cars being used on HO layouts before and if they are somewhat out of the way, no problem. If they’re right up front and center they are very noticeable and often conspicuously out of scale. Also, it’s your layout so whatever you want to do with it is fine - - you’re the boss! The main thing is to have fun, that’s what it’s all about.
Good find… and given that open pit mining does have large equipment, it could pass off, like said above, more in the background… I have found some Matchbox delivery trucks that were 1:84 or 1:85 and it fit fine but I have also tried a couple cars and found them way too big… Most of the matchbox cars have the scale on the bottom since they are made to fit in the match box and not scale specific.
E-L man. I was thinking that size might be a problem. From the picture it does look a little large, however the scale dimensions are 18 ft. long, 10 Ft. high, and the roller is 10 Ft. wide. I have no idea what the prototype dimensions of a machine like this would be. Do any of our listens know? Mike.
If it’s Matchbox, It’s probably not an accurate scale model, but more an artistic rendition of something similar, anyway. Regardless of scale, does it seem to fit into the scene you wanted it for? Does it look good there? A 10’ height for a heavy roller probably doesn’t mean anything for a bit of heavy equipment that is not intended to spend time on a city street. After all, for a long time, many HO structure kits were made to 1/8" to the foot, or even 4 mm/foot (OO scale), rather than 3.5 mm/ foot, and only the nit pickers ever said anything, and many waterfront scenes use kit ships and boats anywhere from 1/72 to 1/96 scales, and the effect makes them look just right. I’ve seen a number of pictures of a popular Great Lakes Ore Boat that usually is assembled somewhere between 3 and 4 feet long, and having grown up in a town that built the boats, anything less than 7 feet long looks toy like. But, in some applications, it looks good. Decide for yourself, does it look ok to you, use it, if not, keep it till you find something that suites your taste better.
Here is a link to a similar prototype machine: http://www.roadrollerchina.com/single-drum-vibratory-rollers.html. The dimensions are in millimeters (5820 long X 2280 wide X 3000 high) which translate to 19.09 feet long X 7.48 feet wide X 9.84 feet high.
maxman.Thanks for the info. Mike
[:-^]
Unlike cars and half tons, heavy equipment comes in a multitude of sizes. There is no reason that you can’t use match box equipment unless it has a specific model number on it that would designate it’s size.
In my world the optimum word is reasonable. After all most of us are not building museum quality dioramas we are doing this for fun. I thought. Right ?? Right !!!
If you like it, Go for it.
Johnboy out…
My model RR layout has 1/64 ,1/72 scale cars ,pickups and SUV . I use 1/64 scale farm equipment .Ho scale trucks and fire trucks . For heavy equipment I use 1/64 and 1/87 . Having a good size layout and on a tight budget 1/64 cars cheaper then ho scale are . I Thought model RRing are just for fun any way
I use some Matchbox and Hot Wheel models in construction scenes, railroad yards, mining operations as these all use very large equipment. The Matchbox boats from many years ago fit in with the marina. Your roller is a good fit for what you need. My thoughts are if the model fits the scene use it.