4th of July Contest

[ginzokid]

OK guys. Here is the new contest. This is the one where you get me to build a kit for you. The contest will end at midnight on the 4th of July ebay time. The rules are simple. Tell me what is shown in the three contest pictures in Kim's Place album. What is it and what is it used for. Be as specific as possible. I want a lengthy description and I'm going to be a tough judge. If someone gets it right before the contest time limit I'll end it early. So put your thinking caps on and do some research. Just what you wanted to do, huh. Research over the summer vacation! Just think of the prize you will win! TheContestFadda

[jamajack]

Here is what I think the pictures represent. This is a homemade shunt engine that appears to be running on a narrow gauge track system. It is a farm tractor that has had its drive wheels and steering mechanism removed and then mounted on a very heavy duty steel “I” beam frame. As can be seen the tractor is still complete less the above parts right down to the tractor seat where the operator can sit and push the clutch and engage the normal tractor gears and it is hard to see but maybe they also left the original brake drums intact for stopping. In place of the wheels and tire they placed a large diameter toothed chain gear which runs down to the extensions on the drive axel which has a smaller toothed chain gear. There also appears to be a gear on the center on the rear drive axel that drives a chain to the front axel giving this shunter a two axel drive system. Looking at the gears it looks like a three to one ratio from the engine output gear to the shunter axel. Can you imagine the speed that could be obtained with that kind of a ratio and the changing of the normal tractor gears. The wheels on the shunter appear to be the kind used on the trailers that were pulled by a Jigger (speeder) or maybe a set of leading truck wheels off of a small steam engine. From the looks of the magneto on the right side of the engine I would say that this shunter is gas operated given what looks like the old large carburetor and oil soaked air cleaner on the left side of the engine. Can't tell you what company or model tractor it started out as but given a guess I would say one of the very earliest Case gas models after the demise of Case steam engines It has bar and pin couplers of the kind used in mine service or logging industry, no air lines etc so assume short haul and quick disconnects. Now as to what it could have been used for, I would say it was used more in a industrial application such as: (a) moving lumber at a large mill (b) used in a foundry to move large castings etc (c) It could have also been used to pull mine cars away from the entrance of a mine. The unit itself looks to big for entry into the mines of the day. (d) It could have also been used in a RIP yard moving cars in and out for repair, but unlikely. Jack

[sd35]

From the background it looks like it may be in the sugar cane fields of (pre-Castro) Cuba or possibly Hawaii (at least that's were I'd want to be riding it). Something about it reminds me of a really old Oliver tractor. From the odd seat arrangement (kind of low and really far back), I'd say at one time the thing probably sported large steel wheels front and rear. One could always hope that the large barrels on the flat car in back were ready to be filled with some Rum, but they are more likely filled with water. The frame does look home made, and there isn't any spring or play in them (they are solidly mounted). It's really beneficial that the old springy seat was retained, just to make the ride bearable. Kevin

[barrysfp45]

exactly what I thought. Barry.......]:)

[ginzokid]

Three guesses. Where are the rest of you guy? B-)

[dl85vette]

I got nothing. I was thinking the same thing that it was a tractor converted to power the flat car. And it looked like itis hauling some sort of ore jenny on a narrow gauge mine.

[flaretired]

It looks home made to me. I belive the engine is a Alice Charmers tractor engine. This tells me that at some point in time the land was used for farming,I think and then they possibly needed to clear more land and they used this engine to haul away the cleared debris. But that does not make any since they already had a tractor to do that. So now I guess they found coal or some other kind of mineral that needed a lot of cars to haul out the product. So they built a narrow gauge rail system converted the tractor for the engine and away we go. Chuck

[70novahound]

What happened to the Father's Day contest? CJ]:)

[barrysfp45]

it finished on fathers day, at least in the states. ]:)

[ginzokid]

Contest was won by Jack and I deleted the thread. It was over. Anyone else want to guess what this item is? B-)

[dl85vette]

Don't feel bad CJ. I thought fathers Day was when fathers gave their sons matching shelbys 😉

[crazyd37]

Ok, here's my uneducated guess! 1. a broken tractor 2. another broken tractor with a sun shade 3. a third broken tractor that someone rigged up to make moonshine. (see that funny looking jug!) I am just kidding?!?!?! Sounds like you got a couple of good answers already and I really have no idea. If you have a tie, I would like to see a real good tie breaker for this one!!!!! Thanks again Pete for running another superior contest! I wish I could answer better on this one. Once we get things settled around here I will try to come up with one too. Remember groupies, this guy builds a truly sweet structure. Just don't take advantage of our Leader and ask for the moon. (he already promised it to ME!!!!!!)

[dl85vette]

don't p*ss him off or you'll get Uranus. 😛

[nascarpetlover]

Well a complete left field guess. It's a tractor that has been converted into a narrow gauge switch engine to move a logging equipment around a small yard. Lou PS Like I said it is just a left field guess and my congrats to who ever does win.

[ginzokid]

OK guys, as I said, I would close this contest early if anyone gave the right answer. Well, consider it closed. Now here is the quandary. Two of our members posted closely together and essentially gave the correct answer. Frankly, I thought it would be harder. Both Kevin and Jack were very close. So here is my solution. Both of you guys can send me a kit to build. I cannot separate the answers enough to declare one of you an out and out winner. But in all fairness to me, Make the kit a small or medium sized one. OK? Wood is my specialty as you know, but I also do plastic and resin. Contact me at Ginzokid@hotmail.com for the details. Now for the answer: It is a gas mechanical locomotive; #4 home built from a chain drive Case tractor and was used as a switch engine on the 30 inch gauge Westfield Plantation Railroad in Louisiana on their sugar cane plantation. The pictures were taken during the last days of operation in 1953. Congrats to Jack and Kevin. TheKitFadda