CR-Excavator2

Here is a MOW, (Maintenance Of Way) Unit train featuring a CAT 320D Excavator, on rails, on a flat car! Yes, I made that up, after seeing something similar that was permanently mounted in a similar way. However, I wanted mine to have more mobility. The CAT is a Norscot model (the articulated one, there are two types (or Grades) of Norscot's, budget ones with fixed booms & tracks, & articulated [movable] booms & tracks). I removed the undercarriage & soldered up my own to go on the tracks affixed to the Tichy Train's GSC flat car kit. The wood deck on the Tichy flat is painted, it does not come with a laser cut deck. I used code 70 rails & P87 tie plates to mount the new CAT's tracks. I am happy with the mods I did to the CAT; added Grandt Line offset lift rings to the bottom rear, & in two points on the boom, added an inverter to the right side (not seen in this photo) for the electro magnet lift, added hydraulic hoses to the boom, Painted the cab, & am very happy with my 'forester' style cab guard that was soldered up with Detail Associates .012 wire & mesh components. I also built a 'Custom Finishing' electromagnet with eyebolts & 40 lpi chain, added some Jerry cans, tow cables, & a 20' log chain onto the deck. I was also happy that I was able to color match the yellow with SCII UP yellow & a touch of brown from their weathering set. I shot this photo with the little Trackmobile, as it has not seen any camera time for a while. Later, I will show the extensively worked gondola, after the load dries & sets.

Done