~ MANNM Lumber Fleet ~
One of the first models that I detailed and painted for the MANNM Railroad was a Bachman shay (#5). For years this engine sat on the mantle until the outdoor layout was finished enough to run the shay. After seeing it run outside, I knew that one would not be enough! The next piece was an LGB starter set caboose with 4 axles (#8) which completed a train of lumber cars.
Then, a Bachmann undecorated three truck shay (#11) was acquired and converted into the MannM Railroad’s livery. Next was the final locomotive, shay #4. Now the railroad had three engines with one caboose, so another small caboose (#7) with 2 axles this time was picked up. Finally, the last acquisition was tool and crew car #2. This car was built from scraps lying around the shop and imagination!
Then, a Bachmann undecorated three truck shay (#11) was acquired and converted into the MannM Railroad’s livery. Next was the final locomotive, shay #4. Now the railroad had three engines with one caboose, so another small caboose (#7) with 2 axles this time was picked up. Finally, the last acquisition was tool and crew car #2. This car was built from scraps lying around the shop and imagination!
To see more information and pictures of the three shays, click on the following picture to be redirected to the locomotives page.
To see more pictures of the shays, follow the embedded link.
Shay #11 passes over another train on the way to the mill.
Slideshow:
Equipment:
The tool car was made up of the remains of a flatcar I had chopped up for another project. This project was all based on imagination, so I did whatever I wanted with detail. I built the canopy and railings out of plastic and used a corrugated piece of aluminum for the roof. The tool boxes are from USA Trains MOW cars. Then I filled the car with miscellaneous items including tools, fire extinguishers, chain, lanterns, an air compressor and battery charger, and other small things.
The two LGB cabooses were stripped down and painted with primer red. After reassembly, they were decaled and lightly weathered. I liked the idea of not having the two identical cabooses, so I left one with a silver roof and one with two axles as opposed to four.
