Current Line Models Power Trucks and More

Ed Miller, the owner of Current Line Models (CLM), contacted me about my comments regarding CLM power truck dimensions. Ed Miller stated, "They have not changed in over 50 years. The LL truck that Wagner produced was 1 1/16 high. the CLL is the same.


"If you look at the lower bolster on the older CLL truck you will see that Rick (Wagner) built up the casting to support the round can motor. The upper brass bolster is the same one as the bolster on the older LL trucks with the open frame motors. Only difference is the LL truck had the mounting plate riveted on and the CLL has the screw and spacer. The was done because if someone used a screw that was too long it would foul the motor. After a few repairs Rich went to the rivet.


"The CLL trucks I make with the Johnson motors use the lower bolster from the older open frame motors so they work out to the same height. What I can do on trucks with a 6' 6" WB or larger is use the smaller 64 pitch gearbox and shave the rear of the motor a little and drop the motor below the rear axle a little and get the top of the brass bolster down to a little below 7/8".


"The pictures of the CSL X car have this and the truck is completely under floor. Only thing that shows on the top is the head of the 2-56 flat head screw which I hid with some detail parts that I glue on top of it with some hot glue so if the truck has to be removed they can be removed."


To demonstrate what Ed is talking about, below is a page from the “Wagner Car Company, Truck Book No. 6”. The CLL power truck is in the middle with a photo to the right.

Current Line Models, Wagner Car Company, Truck Book No. 6, page 3

The pictures of the CSL X car Ed mentions are these. The model is a CSL crane. Most of the CSL service cars were numbered in the “X” series. It is a beautiful model.

The other item of interest is my taking out time to up-grade the electrical system of my layout. For about a year 2 of the turnout motors has not worked correctly and some switch lamps were out of order. Also, more storage space is required to display models.

Work has been under way for the past 2 weeks to prepare smaller “control panels”. About 1/3 of the work of installing them has been completed. Four small “control panels” will replace the large control “panel”.

In the opened up space either my small streetcar test track can be placed or a tiered display unit installed.

Originally my layout was designed and built with the idea of operating either 2-rail models OR trolleys with both rails grounded. A number of small electrical gremlins kept popping up. With the electrical up-grade only trolleys will be operated. The layout is an interurban layout without street running.


The other change is the use of real interurban or rapid transit controllers to operate the models. Many years ago both a CA&E and CRT controllers were wired-up for 12-18 volt operation. They will be used instead of a power pack.


To see the layout in operation visit Eric Bronsky’s Electropickle Productions U-Tube videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3mcdEVqp-c  OR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uan9RDcJzF0

The electrocution of the pickle was to make Eric an honest man!

Cheers,
Ed
Old chemistry teachers never die, they just fail to react!