UPDATE: Speaking of cars at Walmart...

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Has anyone looked at the Highway Movers trucks? In our local Walmart, they are located right next to the Malibu cars. I bought a couple and compared them to some scale trucks. I don’t have any dimensions but here are some pictures. The cab on the left in the first picture is the Walmart truck and the cab on the right is an Athearn kit.

In the second picture, the cab on the right is from Walmart.

I also measured the van trailer that comes with the second cab and it measures right at 40’ with an HO scale ruler.

Walmart has four different styles: the van, an auto rack, a tanker, and a gravel truck. The paint colors may be a little gaudy for some tastes but can easily be repainted. In my opinion, they are close enough to scale to at least be used in a background scene.

Tom

PS They are only about $2.50 apiece.

I just peeled the paper stickers off the side of the van and it actually has rivet detail. The van and the tanker also have dolly wheels that fold down.

2

Where do you live? I sure would like to get them up here. Is there a specific company that makes them, or are they just called Highway Movers?

3

I live in Iowa. Here’s a picture of one still in the box.

Tom

4

Those are pretty cool. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them at my WalMart. By the way, the white Peterbiult in the second photo. It’s looks very good. What brand of model is it?

5

I saw those there at Wal-Mart the other day, and I was wondering if they could be 1:87th. I’ll have to get down to Portage tomorrow to get some.
Phil

6

I think it’s a Boley. I don’t remember now.

Tom

7

I bought about 8 of them. They look great for $3-$4 each. The trailors are a little cheap looking, but the tractors look great. Beleive it or not, they are 1/97 scale.(I’ve said in the past- smaller than, is better than larger than scale). The trailors can be painted and detailed to look pretty good. Matchbox also has a line of semi’s that can be used for HO.
Cheap is good IMHO.[^]

8

I wonder if the gaudy stripes can be removed without a repaint? They do look good.

Jim

9

I’m afraid the only way to get rid of the gaudy stripes on the tractors is to repaint. I was able to peel the stickers off the van. The other three trailers are a little more restrained.

Tom