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| A classic - the Bucyrus Steam Shovel. |
TWH 021 - Bucyrus Steam Shovel
Model Review July 2008
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| A classic - the Bucyrus Steam Shovel. |
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| The 'aged' box. |
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Inside the box. |
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| All the parts out of the box. |
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| First class model engineering visible inside the machine house. |
The Bucyrus Company has a long history. It was founded in Bucyrus, Ohio in 1880 and thirteen years later moved to South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Soon after it decided to specialise in excavating machinery.
Around the turn of the century the 95-ton steam shovel was the largest the company built and they were used on many projects and Bucyrus shovels were the most prevalent in use during the construction of the Panama Canal.
This model was commissioned
by Toy Trucker and Contractor Magazine and is in 1:48 scale. As a rail mounted piece of equipment, the scale has been chosen
as it is 'O' gauge, and so could find a place onto a suitable railroad layout
although the model is not designed to be towed behind an engine.
It is made in
Packaging
The model comes in a box which has an aged
appearance and so suitably represents the historic nature of the model it
contains.
Inside, the model is securely packed
between the usual expanded polystyrene trays.
The review model had no defects or missing parts.
A small booklet details the history of the Bucyrus company and has interesting photos and narrative about the real machine. Two small cards are also provided. One warns that the model is designed for static display, and the other has some small photos illustrating the basics of assembling the few pieces that need it. Although it is good that these instructions are provided, they do not do justice to the model itself. TWH have recognised this and they have produced an updated set of instructions which can be downloaded - see the Model Notes section at the end of this review.
Care is needed to unpack the model as the drive chains under the carriage are taped together and need to be carefully removed before doing anything else.
Detail
On looking at this model it is clear that it is something special.
A length of track is provided which has metal rails and plastic ties (sleepers) which look like wood. In addition two plastic moulded blocks for packing under the outriggers are provided. These look like timbers and it would have been nice if they had consisted of separate pieces rather than one piece.
The underside of the model gives a taste of the detail and engineering quality that is this model. Drive chains lead from sprockets to the bogies. These have fine flanged wheels with excellently detailed bogie frames and suspension. At the front end of the car frame are outriggers, one on each side. These have fine structural elements, and at the top a nice spoked turning wheel.
