[MOC] Lombard Steam Log Hauler

[jtlan]

Hey everyone! Normally I post in the Train Tech forum. I wasn't sure if this MOC belonged here, but Commander Wolf insisted that this was the correct forum.

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The Lombard Steam Log Hauler was the first commercially-produced vehicle to use caterpillar tracks. They were essentially a small saddle-tank steam locomotive mounted on a frame with a transmission driving a short pair of treads. The front of the vehicle was supported by a pair of skids or small wheels, which were steered to turn the vehicle. Operating the vehicle required a team of three: the engineer, the fireman, and the steersman, who sat on the small platform in front to steer the vehicle.

This model uses the same general SNOT-based boiler as my narrow-gauge single Fairlie locomotive. As was the case for that model, I mostly freelanced the design while looking at reference images (this one in particular), rather than scaling an engineering drawing as I usually do (engineering drawings for both vehicles were hard to come by). The end result is approximately the same scale as my other models.

Another angle. The interior of this model is identical to the Fairlie. I'd like to have a crew to operate it, but I don't have any lumberjack minifigs!

Full Brickshelf gallery here (pending moderation). Let me know what you think!

[sunhuntin]

amazing example of something i didnt know existed. the steersman position would have been nerve wracking!!

[eurotrash]

Huh! I'd never seen one before. Nice build - although Sunhuntin's right that steersman position would be a doozy.

[Beck]

Great little creation! Would be a perfect addition to any holiday village. Too bad no one thought to add a pulley around the "steering wheel" to be able to steer the vehicle from the cabin. I can imagine the "steersman" yelling at the engineer who would be completely oblivious.

[Only Sinner]

It's a really good model of an unusual vehicle. I like it, though.