All the previous "Inch" chapters have dealt with accurately observing the
scenic aspects of the world I model and duplicating them as faithfully as
possible. This time I'd like to present something a bit different; My just
completed model of a Vulcan 45T side-rod diesel. There was I time I was doing a
lot more locomotive building but, with time, I've reached a saturation point.
It now seems like I come up with these little projects only once every few
years.
I won't get into all the factors that tipped me to building this model
but, I will admit there is a bit of personal history involving Vulcan. I grew
up within easy walking distance of the Vulcan factory in Wilkes-Barre, my aunt
and uncle Shaffer lived within sight of the plant and my grand-father Sittner
worked at Vulcan for a while in the drafting department.
My model is based on a prototype that resided as a display at the CNJ
Station Resturant complex in Wilkes Barre. (picture provided) I only took a few
slides and never did make any measurements. I also include an image from the
1940 Vulcan catalog. Vulcan didn't build many diesels. Records vary but, from
1938-1954 only 51 or 54 (depending on source)were built from 25T to 70T in
size. Vulcan advertized that they built to suit a customers individual needs.
This meant most were one-off's. With little in the way of
standardization Vulcan was an extremely minor player in the manufacture of, even
small, diesels.
While many Vulcan steam locomotives and electric motors were employed
in the mining of anthracite I don't know of any diesels that were used. My
model is strictly a "what if" some independent had one. The purposely
indistinguishable logo on the cab is for my Glen Dale Coal Co. I provide
pictures of the finished model working the breaker and passing the miners
"patch".
The model is built on a Bachmann GE 45T mechanism. Without drawings, and
working only from my pictures, this is as close to prototype as I could manage
but, not a dead ringer. An artists license! Even though it has the same basic
profile as the Bachmann GE, everything above the trucks has either been rebuilt
or scratchbuilt. I include two in progress images for comparison. Time
involved was about 30 hours!
Hope you enjoy.
Wayne Sittner
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