1:76 scale Articulated Trucks

[WhiteRoseRambler]

Having built up a comprehensive collection of rolling stock for my BR Blue era layout, I have been struggling to find a suitable 1:76 scale artic to help with the road detailing.

 

I am searching for a good quality model (not a toy) of a Yorkshire or Northern based haulage firm (but will happily consider others from further afield) which would fit in with a layout set from 1982 to 1986, hence looking for something from 1978 onwards for starters.

 

I have trawled EBay to no avail; sadly very few sellers put the models numberplates on their items and I am no expert when it comes to knowledge of the trucks of the period.

 

Grateful for any help or guidance. Thank you.

 

Chris

[corax67]

There are a host of modern arcticulated trucks here :

 

http://www.newmodellersshop.co.uk/diecast_model_lorrys.htm

 

In the 80's then Scania, DAF, MAN, Volvo, Foden were all readily seen on the roads - one of the guys I used to drive with was a massive die-cast truck collector and I am fairly sure that vinyls are available to redecorate standard trailers much like they are for our coaching stock.

 

I will make some further enquiries.

[corax67]

The other option is to respray a trailer and print your own curtain decals onto water slide transfer paper.

[Catkins]

There are 'ready to plant' models of mid-late 1970's models from EFE, or the rather simplistic model of the Leyland Roadtrain from Base Toys - http://www.ehattons.com/22185/Base_Toys_LR_X1_Leyland_Roadtrain_articulated_flatbed_in_red/StockDetail.aspx

 

If you are happy to build plastic kits you could always go to Knightwing International - http://www.knightwing.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?product=OO-HO_Road_Transport_Kits&cart_id=1395859388.200

Resin based kits are available from Road Transport Images - http://www.roadtransportimages.com/

Langley Models do cast metal models including the Scammell Routeman cab (ref X34), the Leyland Cruiser Cabs (ref G160 & G161), the Seddon Atkinson 401 series (G175 & G176) along with some suitable curtain sided and flat bed trailers.

Langley also do a Leyland Freighter fire appliance (ref G185) as used by Lancashire Fire Brigade.

http://www.langley-models.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_OO_Vehicle_Kits__lorries_trucks_farm_machinery__22.html

 

To get an idea of what was in use in your time period you can get a couple of "heritage" truck magazine like 'Classic Truck' published by Kelsey Media - it's published bi-monthly.

 

Edited to Add, the Scania 110 by Oxford Diecast is suitable - http://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/76/76SC110001%20Scania%20110%20Flatbed%20BRS.html

[RANGERS]

If you're happy with kit building, try Frank Waller's range at www.roadtransportimages.com

 

There's a big range which includes several of 1970s/ 80s vintage.

[jcb 3c]

^{Trucks have a long life so really anything from the 1970s would not look out of place in early 80s.}

[PhilJ W]

Oxford are bringing out a Ford Cargo towards the end of the year in plain white. They already make one for the Stobart shop and a contemporary MAN 7 1/2 tonner that is not in the Oxford catalogue yet. 

[37114]

Having built up a comprehensive collection of rolling stock for my BR Blue era layout, I have been struggling to find a suitable 1:76 scale artic to help with the road detailing.

 

I am searching for a good quality model (not a toy) of a Yorkshire or Northern based haulage firm (but will happily consider others from further afield) which would fit in with a layout set from 1982 to 1986, hence looking for something from 1978 onwards for starters.

 

I have trawled EBay to no avail; sadly very few sellers put the models numberplates on their items and I am no expert when it comes to knowledge of the trucks of the period.

 

Grateful for any help or guidance. Thank you.

 

Chris

 

The Langley Seddon Atkinson 401 would be newish in your timescale and were popular with the general hauliers, Ernest Thorpe are a well known Yorkshire haulier and are still going, they had loads of 401's in their distinctive green,white and red livery. Worth looking at the RTI website, the kits are pretty accurate, although will be pricey if you buy wheels, chassis, cab plus a trailer, I have 3 of their cabs in the spray shop at the minute as I tend to buy just the cabs and graft them onto diecast chassis.

[tamperman36]

You could have Longs of Leeds or James Wilby's Heckmondwyke , however one thing to remember is that artic trailers have grown in length over the last decade and the laws regarding the maximum vehicle weights have changed also.

[Fat Controller]

I loaded and unloaded quite a lot of trucks during the period in question; my recollection was that curtain-sided trailers were quite often plain dark blue, with lettering confined to the doors/headboard. I suspect this was Boalloy's default colour. Whilst Boalloy did sell new trailers, they would also fit curtain sides, doors, etc to customers' trailers. I saw at least one such conversion which retained Twistlocks in the floor, despite there now being a roof on the thing.

By the period in question, 40' had become the norm for trailer length, and under-run protection was being fitted- ends at first, then forward of the axles. 

A lot of things were still carried on flat trailers, sheeted and roped, whilst van trailers (apart from fridges) were relatively rare. Rigid curtain-siders were uncommon, with vans, flats, and drop-siders being the norm.

This site has lots of useful photos, though bear in mind that many vehicles are preserved examples:-

http://ccmv.aecsouthall.co.uk/

[tamperman36]

Another point is that lots of the trailers back then ran on twin wheels no the modern style supersingle used today so its not just a case of chopping down a modern oxford diecast  trailer. Langley models do some usable trailers and can also supply parts if you find them at an exhibition.

On the tractor unit front the ford cargo cab could be used for any size truck from 7.5 tonne up to 38 tonne , there where however 2 widths of cab the one oxford are due to be doing is the narrow version commonly used on rigid chassis however corgi did a diecast  toy which can be made to look very nice which would work as the wider cab version used for the tractor units.

[Fat Controller]

If you're not worried about the relatively small difference in scale (1:72 vice 1:76.2) then the plastic kits originally issued by Keil-Kraft (and now by Knightwing) might be of interest :-

http://www.knightwing.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi

The tractor-units are three-axle types, but easily modified to the more usual two-axle ones, whilst the trailers can be modified to different types. I've even done a two-axle rigid using the Mercedes cab. Whilst they're now about four times the price I was paying in the early 1980s, they're good value, and easy to hack about. There used to be a bit more variety in the original trailers, and for some reason the original Volvo tractor was replaced by a more modern type.

[tamperman36]

Model bus company used to make kits for the Volvo FL type truck in several styles e.g  sleeper cab , day cab ,rigid, they also did t he Ford cargo, Leyland roadrunner and the Ford transit  in several styles however these kits are very hard to find now, Also you could try Doug Roseman  fairground kits, as they used to do ERF and Foden tractors for fairground wagons.

[37114]

Model bus company used to make kits for the Volvo FL type truck in several styles e.g  sleeper cab , day cab ,rigid, they also did t he Ford cargo, Leyland roadrunner and the Ford transit  in several styles however these kits are very hard to find now, Also you could try Doug Roseman  fairground kits, as they used to do ERF and Foden tractors for fairground wagons.

I enquired to Doug Roseman a couple of years ago about the ERF and he said it was long discontinued, RTI do an ERF B Series as well though.

 

Re the Ford Cargo cab I seem to recall the basic cab was the same size across the range, it was just the mud guards were wider on the 17t upwards models, so it maybe possible to modify the Oxford one when it is out

[37114]

Another point is that lots of the trailers back then ran on twin wheels no the modern style supersingle used today so its not just a case of chopping down a modern oxford diecast  trailer. Langley models do some usable trailers and can also supply parts if you find them at an exhibition.

On the tractor unit front the ford cargo cab could be used for any size truck from 7.5 tonne up to 38 tonne , there where however 2 widths of cab the one oxford are due to be doing is the narrow version commonly used on rigid chassis however corgi did a diecast  toy which can be made to look very nice which would work as the wider cab version used for the tractor units.

Corgi also did a MAN cab that was good,I grafted one onto a Base toys chassis with a scratch built fridge trailer in Gateway colours some years ago.

[tamperman36]

Another point is that the center steering axle and lift axle where both new ideas on tractor units in the mid to late 80's. Also trucks where limited to 5 axle max until mid 80's when the weight limit was upped to 38 tonnes, anything over had to have an STGO plate and most of the time a police escort.

Modern regs are 41 tonnes for container vehicles travelling from rail/dock to final destination, 38 tonnes normal on 6 axles,

STGO vehicles are now escorted by a vehicle with yellow flashing lights and warning signs with permission from local police.

[Fat Controller]

Another point is that the center steering axle and lift axle where both new ideas on tractor units in the mid to late 80's. Also trucks where limited to 5 axle max until mid 80's when the weight limit was upped to 38 tonnes, anything over had to have an STGO plate and most of the time a police escort.

Modern regs are 41 tonnes for container vehicles travelling from rail/dock to final destination, 38 tonnes normal on 6 axles,

STGO vehicles are now escorted by a vehicle with yellow flashing lights and warning signs with permission from local police.

If by 'centre steering axle' you mean the second, non-driven, axle on the tractor, then one of the oil majors (BP?) had these on some of their Scammells from the 1970s; for some reason, such an arrangement was referred to as a 'Chinese Six'

[tamperman36]

A Chinese six usually refers to the 2 steering axles together under the cab and the drive axle on its own at the rear of the chassis the modern vehicles have the main steering axle a small gap usually for the fuel tank and then a trailing steering axle followed by the drive axle.

[RANGERS]

If you're not worried about the relatively small difference in scale (1:72 vice 1:76.2) then the plastic kits originally issued by Keil-Kraft (and now by Knightwing) might be of interest :-

http://www.knightwing.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi

The tractor-units are three-axle types, but easily modified to the more usual two-axle ones, whilst the trailers can be modified to different types. I've even done a two-axle rigid using the Mercedes cab. Whilst they're now about four times the price I was paying in the early 1980s, they're good value, and easy to hack about. There used to be a bit more variety in the original trailers, and for some reason the original Volvo tractor was replaced by a more modern type.

The Knightwing kits are pretty good representations of 80s heavyweight tractors. The Ford Transcontinental started life in 1975 and the DAF, Volvo and Mercs a Couple of years later but all were long lived. The wheels benefit from replacement with something nearer scale but otherwise they're good looking replicas.

[Catkins]

Another point is that the center steering axle and lift axle where both new ideas on tractor units in the mid to late 80's. Also trucks where limited to 5 axle max until mid 80's when the weight limit was upped to 38 tonnes, anything over had to have an STGO plate and most of the time a police escort.

Modern regs are 41 tonnes for container vehicles travelling from rail/dock to final destination, 38 tonnes normal on 6 axles,

STGO vehicles are now escorted by a vehicle with yellow flashing lights and warning signs with permission from local police.

I've disagreed with the above because modern regulations allow 44 Tonnes (44,000 Kilogrammes) on six axles, and 38 Tonnes on five axles, split as a 2+3 or 3+2. Also there are still occasions where an abnormal -STGO type- load will require a police escort, but they are normally when the load is so big that it needs a road closure to allow it to pass.

On the subject of axles, some foreign makes used a rear lift axle in the 1970's as the continent used to run heavier weights than the UK, and there would be occasions where the extra "carrying" axle behind the drive axle could be lifted to reduce tyre wear or aid traction - a lot of log transporters in the UK still have a rear carrying axle. Fat Controller mentions the Scammell Handyman - with the Micholotti designed cab - having three axles, with the first and second axles being the steering axles, this was designed in the latter 1960's with an eye on Britians entry into the Common Market and harmonised vehicle weights (something that still hasn't happened), the use of the two steered axles did make it more stable which tanker operators liked, and it reduced tyre wear on the middle axle.

The chassis design was so good that it was used under the Leyland T45 and Leyland-DAF derivative ranges until production stopped.

 

 

The Knightwing kits are pretty good representations of 80s heavyweight tractors. The Ford Transcontinental started life in 1975 and the DAF, Volvo and Mercs a Couple of years later but all were long lived. The wheels benefit from replacement with something nearer scale but otherwise they're good looking replicas.

The Ford Transcontinental used the same cab as the big Berleit and Renault trucks at the time, and until Renault introduced the "Premium" model range, still used the cab on their bigger trucks - along side the "Club of Four" cabs on the smaller trucks.

[Fat Controller]

I hadn't realised that  the Ford Transcontinental used the same cab as the Berliet/ Renault trucks; I'd seen the similarity, but thought it was just coincidence. I don't remember seeing a lot in general haulage, though there was an outfit that hauled from Boulogne to Alsager for Indesit that used them in the late 1970s. Strangely, two of their tractors ended up as recovery vehicles for a firm at Lympne, not a million miles from where we now live.

On the subject of cabs appearing on different makes, I've recently seen a Renault used as a French Army recovery vehicle which had a cab very similar to that of the later Leyland/ Scammell type.

This link might work:-

http://lapassiondutrain.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2014-03-10T15:32:00%2B01:00&max-results=20&start=89&by-date=false ;you'll have to scroll down towards the bottom of the page

[PhilJ W]

I hadn't realised that  the Ford Transcontinental used the same cab as the Berliet/ Renault trucks; I'd seen the similarity, but thought it was just coincidence. I don't remember seeing a lot in general haulage, though there was an outfit that hauled from Boulogne to Alsager for Indesit that used them in the late 1970s. Strangely, two of their tractors ended up as recovery vehicles for a firm at Lympne, not a million miles from where we now live.

On the subject of cabs appearing on different makes, I've recently seen a Renault used as a French Army recovery vehicle which had a cab very similar to that of the later Leyland/ Scammell type.

This link might work:-

http://lapassiondutrain.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2014-03-10T15:32:00%2B01:00&max-results=20&start=89&by-date=false ;you'll have to scroll down towards the bottom of the page

If you are referring to the 8 wheeler that is the successor to the 'Club of four' cab. It is used by DAF. Renault and Volvo. A very good 1/76 model of the Renault version of this cab is in the Del Prado fire engines series.

[Fat Controller]

If you are referring to the 8 wheeler that is the successor to the 'Club of four' cab. It is used by DAF. Renault and Volvo. A very good 1/76 model of the Renault version of this cab is in the Del Prado fire engines series.

That's the beast- I tried linking to the individual photo, but the site wouldn't let me.

[37114]

I hadn't realised that  the Ford Transcontinental used the same cab as the Berliet/ Renault trucks; I'd seen the similarity, but thought it was just coincidence. I don't remember seeing a lot in general haulage, though there was an outfit that hauled from Boulogne to Alsager for Indesit that used them in the late 1970s. Strangely, two of their tractors ended up as recovery vehicles for a firm at Lympne, not a million miles from where we now live.

On the subject of cabs appearing on different makes, I've recently seen a Renault used as a French Army recovery vehicle which had a cab very similar to that of the later Leyland/ Scammell type.

This link might work:-

http://lapassiondutrain.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2014-03-10T15:32:00%2B01:00&max-results=20&start=89&by-date=false ;you'll have to scroll down towards the bottom of the page

 

A number of the restored Ford Transcontinental's use Renault cabs with the floor/grille replaced, the Renault version was available for around 14 years after the transcontinentals so are a good source of less rusty cabs 

[RANGERS]

A number of the restored Ford Transcontinental's use Renault cabs with the floor/grille replaced, the Renault version was available for around 14 years after the transcontinentals so are a good source of less rusty cabs

 

Hardly worth calling the Transcon' a Ford, fair to say the only Ford item was the badge. Cummins engines, Rockwell axles, Eaton transmission and a Berliet cab. The engineering owed more to Foden who were initially contracted to assemble the UK market vehicle, than it did to anything Ford had ever produced. Surprisingly, operators slated the aftermarket support, which for a pan European organisation like Ford must have been something of an embarrassment.