Thursday, April 03, 2014

The Straco Layout, Part 32 - Things go better with coke

The Linemar Central Coal & Coke Co. dump truck.
Read all the installments of the Straco Express layout project here.

It wasn't that long ago that I purchased a Linemar fire truck for the Straco Express display layout. But since that time, I discovered that the Linemar vehicles were all part of a set (see: Collecting and Collecting Information, Part 13). So I've been on the lookout for other 3" vehicles produced by this Japanese subsidiary of Louis Marx Co.

So when the Linemar Central Coal & Coke Co. dump truck became available at a reasonable price, I took it. The body was stamped from essentially the same mold as Linemar's fire engine (click on the image above to enlarge). The front fenders have the same contours, and both have a crease bisecting the hood  (that's actually a good thing -- it strengthens that surface and helps it resist dents).

I'm really happy with the other embossed details, too. The surface of the coal load is lumpy, to simulate individual chunks of coal, and the lip of the dump bed can be seen across the top of the cab.

There is a little bit of a cheat -- the lithography shows double axles in the rear, but in fact there is only one. But since the chassis has a significant overhang, you really have to look closely to see the actual wheels.

All in all,  a nice little piece, and a good addition to the layout.

Total cost for the project:
Layout construction:

  • Pegboard: $4.95
  • Flathead Screws: $0.40
  • Molding: $2.49
  • SilClear: borrowed from a friend
  • Green Paint: left over from another project
  • Wood Screws: $3.60
  • Felt Pads: $1.99
Power Pack: $5.90
Small Houses: $3.00
Testor's Gray Paint for road: $1.29
Bandai Areo Station: $8.99

Vehicles:
  • Two Japanese toy cars: $2.00
  • A.W. Livestock truck: $4.99
  • Taxi: $2.99
  • Ambulance: $2.99
  • Two Japanese patriotic cars: $6.99
  • Namura Police Car $2.52
  • Haji three-wheel sedan $3.00
  • Namura lumber truck $3.48
  • 1950's sedan $2.99
  • 6 Namura vehicles $16.99
  • LineMar Pepco Truck $8.50
  • LineMar Bond Bread Van $8.00 
  • Linemar Fire Engine $4.95 
  • Linemar Dump Truck $12.99
  • Namura Red Sedan $5.00
Total Cost: $120.99

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