1: Photo; Baker Driveaway Company, Detroit,
Michigan. Courtesy of Ron Adams. Reproduced with
his permission.
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Getting Real Column - 2
2:
This series of photos were taken at Eastbury Salvage.
Eastbury Salvage that the trailers were very well-built, and suit-
able for heavy hauling. I took additional photos and also was
able to get basic measurements.
A great photograph of the Mechanical Handling Companies
trailer appeared in the book, “Big Rigs of the 1950s” by Ron
Adams. This is a great book for those modeling the transition
era. The photo shows an MHS Auto Carrier trailer lettered for
the Baker Driveaway Company, Detroit, Michigan. I contacted
the author the book, and was able to get a quality 8 x 10 print,
reproduced here with his permission.
This trailer was built in 1949, the era I am modeling on my
Kansas City Southern layout. It's right from the golden age of
train travel, Harley Earl and automobile design. That influence
can be seen in the design of the trailer. Look at the fins on
those 1960 Dodge autos!
For some time I contemplated how to model this unique vehi-
cle. The curved bottom sides would be the greatest challenge. I
decided the best construction method would be to use styrene
sheet and shapes.
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3: Additional photos of the trailer taken at Eastbury
Salvage.
MRH-Feb 2014
