Western Star Self loader Resurrection

[Muleskinner]

This is an old Italeri model with the plastic wheels which I decided to resurrect from the crunch box and build into a self loader. It will be a horizontal haul unit with a one piece reach standard logging trailer which will also have a tunnel tower unit on it, modeled after a United unit from Eugene, Oregon. At one time back in the 60's and early 70's rig such as these could be seen all over the state of Oregon and Northern California, until they were termed as dangerous units to the driver and to normal traffic.

This was due to the way the trailer rode upon the truck horizontally with the reach end sticking through the tower tunnel. If an unwary truck driver came up behind and miss judged the length of the reach sticking out the back, it could make for a very nasty accident, by driving the tail of the reach through his windshield or driving it through the tunnel and into the carrying rig, or both. The trailer also had a tendency to bounce around on its supports and if not tied cinched down properly sometimes came off the truck, to the sides or straight back. They were eventually replaced by the broken reach type which tended to stay put on the rig in the piggy back configuration and ride better.









I have a lot of building to do on it to get it into perspective. I have decided also instead of investing in new models, I am digging into my crunch box and resurrecting a bunch of previous builds which I have forgotten about. About fifteen or more of them. Thanks for looking.

William

[ewaskew]

Well the way you build them William it should turn out very cool

[gator]

William,
There is something to be said for the second time around being better!! With your skill I am sure that will be the case.

Gator

[boxer64]

Nice project William,

I will follow this threat with deep interest

Greets,
Eddy

[ap40rocktruck]

William,

Nice, we used to have those here in the north east as well. Similar scenario's played out all over with the reach hanging out so far.

Good to see the rebuild of a older model.

Thanks for sharing,
Ap40

[slurrydog]

That is going to be a great build William.
I do not remember the one piece reach self loaders. I can see what you mean about not being very safe. It is going to be a great build.
Dave

[Joris Scholte]

Now that is a cool project William!

[Ryan Rønning]

Awesome build

[kerry]

Hey Will. It's kinda cool to go back and pull one of those out like that, kinda like visiting an ole friend. Building a new one is one thing, but the older ones are just grand. Even though I did not get to work with that type of equipment, it is always good to hear of the history and experiences you guys had. Nice truck William, thanks for sharing
Kerry

[doogie7046]

That is great idea to rebuild some older kits that are in need of some updating or total rebuilding. Its just as much fun to build a fresh kit as it is to refreshen an old built kit, only much cheaper.
Mike