I visited my LHS a few weeks ago and saw a display of N-Scale Caterpillar Construction Equipment. This was an unusual find because, for years, all the LHSs in this area of the USA have only carried Cat equipment in HO scale. I promptly bought the remaining 10 pieces (only $2.99 each!!) and ordered 2 more display boxes with 15 pieces per box. Here are some pics: There are 4 types of vehicles: excavator, back hoe, wheeled front-end loader, and tractor with blade. Blades and shovels move to several positions up and down (and side to side on the blade), and the front half of the wheeled front-end loader bends when the vehicle turns. All have nice decals and paint. It looks like I'll be able to remove the blades to simulate a typical Caterpillar load on a flat car: wide blades removed and positioned sideways on the flat car for transporting. Made by Norscot Scale Modeling-- www.norscot.com
The backhoe/tractor is about 1:160... The loader is about 1:144 The excavator is about 1:180 The bulldozer is not really close... about 1:120 As loads on a flatcar...scale differences may not be very noticable. If you put the loader, excavator and bulldozer next to actual N scale vehicles... it will be noticable.... specially the bulldozer.
here is what mine look like on a flat cars. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/511/PICT0269.JPG i really do not like them very much, but at least i will leave them where they are for now. the other two i am going to use at a construction site.
dave you can still find them at select walmarts and they are $1.47. until last month the one near me had them in the clearance isle for $.50
I know this is not positive and may open a can of worms,... but I personally wouldn't buy these... If you would like to PM me to discuss the issue, that would probably be more appropriate than having a discussion in this thread. I just feel a moral obligation to make this post.
The Norscot Construction Mini's were reviewed in the May 2007 issue of Model Railroad News. The approximate scale of each vehicle was calculated by a very reliable source and is as follows: 315C L Excavator = 1:141 420E Backhoe Loader = 1:130 906 Wheel Loader = 1:101 D5G XL Dozer = 1:89 The 315C L excavator closely resembles the 320C L, so that model will not look to much out of place when displayed with 1:160 scale vehicles. We are very hopeful though that if Norscot does make more Construction Mini's, that they will make them closer to the model railroading scales. :teeth: Carter
Ah Carter, there you are. I was going to post sooner but figured you would chime in with the correct info rather than my half remembered facts. I know this has been kicked around a few times on various boards. Based on previous topics on this subject I limited myself to just a pair of the excavators. I did remember the others being to far off for my "close enough". Even using forced perspective it would be hard to utilize the assorted scales of these. I didn't realize the dozer was that close to HO scale though. Dave(Ppuinn), I hope this doesn't leave you with a dose of "now what do I do with these".
I agree. I bought the excavator and the front end loader at Walmart for less than $2.00 each. At a train show one of our club members bought them for $5.00 apiece. They could be bashed into something by changing the cabs. Other than that they belong with all the Hot Wheel vehicles- off the layout.
not too shabby......... AT least this is a start- should make someone happy. IIRC, there are similar items in HO- I have a Cat bulldozer on a flatcar, as well as two John Deere tractors on a 50'flat (Athearn RTR). I'd happily buy more if and when decent-looking tractors become available. Any Case-International or Massey-Ferguson stuff out there as well?
The only Massey Ferguson tractors that I know of are those made by Wiking. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/781-95739 http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/781-95740 The Wiking tractors are very nice, but certainly a lot more expensive than the Norscot models. And, as has been mentioned, the larger scaled Norscot models do have kitbasing possiblities. I bought the 420E backhoe with the idea of using the parts as detail items at an equipment dealer. And, if someone just wants to hang onto them and keep them in "mint" condition, I am reasonlably sure there will be a collector's market for the Construction Mini's, someday.:teeth: Carter
Yep... I stand corrected... I just compared the three I have with my CMW vehicles. The 420e backhoe is too tall and wide as compared to a CMW box truck. It's loading bucket is also waaaayyyyyy to large. Perhaps if it were a different model it would be closer... but I doubt there is a backhoe that would scale out to 1:160 which is taller than a box truck. I was surprised with the size of a prototypical 315c excavator... I thought they were much larger. The model of the 315c excavator... as mentioned by Carter... is not as far off and is actually larger than an N scale version should be. The 906 loader is really too large to be plausible... it is taller and wider than the CMW tractor/trailer rigs. Perhaps if it were a 966 version it would be close? :wub: Definately would be nice if Norscot made these to scale. They make 1:87 (HO scale) , 1:64 (S scale), 1:50 (O scale) & 1:25 (G scale)... All they have to do is fine tune these to 1:160. Thanks for the more precise info Carter.
just so we are 100% clear, Norscott made the models to fit the display cases they came in (were shipped in).... there was NEVER any intent to make them uniform or to scale.... i have been down that road numerous times with them... never having any luck. my 2 cents.
Sounds like a similar scenario.... I've contacted Model Power about making their diecast aircraft (Postage Stamp) series to one set scale (preferably 1:160)... but they also mentioned that they make them to fit a 5" cradle or an 8" cradle and the scale is not a factor. I always thought that collectors would prefer a series of models TOO A SPECIFIC scale... but... there seems to be enough that don't care about scale to convince manufacturers to make them to the 'container' size.
Bruder Mini My LHS had some bruder mini Cat dozer models,1-128 scale, for $7.99. The D8size dozer can be used as a key holder. The set comes with a small Phillips screwdriver you can use to take the ripper off & replace with the key connector. Check out www.bruder.de The catalog lists other 1-128 scale small tractors with wagons & other small parts. The dozer is about 2" Lx1"H x1"W.
Iwas in Walmart last night looking over al the nice Caterpiller equipment made in 1:87 scale. The HO boys got a bonanza.
Actually my reasons for not buying them are political. I would not buy any product with the Caterpillar name on it. The moderators removed the link I posted because they felt it was not appropriate. PM my if you are curious.
There are two ways to get into trouble- start talking about religion and politics. That's why we avoid both subjects here. Just a reminder................
As an HOer' thanks for the props , but it wouldn't break my heart a bit to see you guys with proper N scale Cat equipment....or any other manufacturer of equipment.