RMC 6/1972: scrap iron load

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I dont know if many model railroaders on the forums here have an old copy of Railroad Model Craftsman’s June 1972 issue, but they have an excellent article on how to make cubed scrap iron loads for a gondola. You simply make 1/2" diameter balls from aluminum foil, then cube each ball with a pair of slip-nose pliers in the expanded position, until each ball is cubed. Looking at the photo of the 40’ burlington gondola in article, the scrap iron bales look so much more realistic and three dimensional than whats offered now, and also would be much less expensive. I will make lots of them for my athearn 50’ and walthers 53’ and 65’ mill gondolas for my fictional Leelanau County Railway.

2

That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

3

AlpineModeler,

always glad to share such tidbits of info. i have lots of issues of RMC and model railroader with lots of good articles and mini articles. I will look through my issues and as time allows me, i will post some more info.

4

caboose63: I have been using this method for years.It looks very realistic. I used to live about 40 miles from the Leelanau peninsula in Michigan. I belonged to a round robin group that had 5 members. We took turns operating the members layouts.

5

Try using the square end of a scoket from a ratchet set (socket wrench) in the size that fits your needs. When you’ve mashed enough Aluminum Foil in to make a bale, just push it out from the socket end. It will probably be faster and make a more square bale.

Ray

6

A great technique. I have to try it. Real cost- effective, and I have everything I need to do it right now.

7

Sounds like a good tip. Make sure you post any other tips you come a cross.

Cuda Ken

8

Hello I made these with a 3/4 socket with a 3/8 drive. Pack the drive end with scrap and pack it tight they should come out about 3’ sq in ho. You can take Hershey Kiss rappers that are different colors then your bails will look like crushed cans.

Have a nice day Frank

9

Frank,

Thanks for posting a picture. This makes me want to try the technique even more.

10

A variant on this technique is to paint the flat expanses of aluminum foil a couple of colors with cheap spray paint before it is mushed into the cube shapes. It resembles what scrapped cars/appliances look like: some bare metal, some painted, not always the same color.

Dave Nelson

11

I will try this as well but how do they unload such bales? I can see a magnetic crane for steel but what about aluminum?

12

Hello give it a try guys it only took a few min to fill that gon. I would think they would use a crane with a claw to grab the bales. If the operator has any time in the crane it should be no problem for him to grab a bale. the first one would be the hardest to get out. Have a nice day Frank

13

If memory serves me right, I read somewhere that the electro-magnets are so powerful that they will even pick up non-ferros metals.

Ray

14

Only ferous stuff (or stuff with enough iron in it) is capable of being magnetic… and some steels are not magnetic - stainless for one IIRC. BUT… if the blocks of baled alluminium are bound together with steel wires (like baled plastic and cardboard are) then there would be some chance of a crane’s magnet lifting the alluminium bale… I wouldn’t want to be standing anywhere near it though!

The idea makes me think of two things…

  1. I have never seen a model of the bales with any strapping round it. Are the real ones just squashed up hard enough that they hold together or do they have wires (or plastic banding) round them?

  2. Anyone modelling the modern scene might look to see if baled plastic or cardboard go by rail. Even if they don’t go by rail a lot of modern factories have a baling machine in their junk/recycling area and a stack of bales - segregated by material - waiting to be collected.

[8D]