I designed up the car which resembled a narrow model T with a side car. I wanted something really different and so it had only three wheels - which seemed like a great idea at the time. The truth is I actually outsmarted myself. When I finally got it rolling and tested it on the track which we had laid down the driveway it worked great - until we came to the first corner. Then it derailed. It was time to go back to the drawing board! The project languished for many years as we tackled a thousand other projects.
This year I am determined to get the train going at long last. Phoebe, our first grand child is now twelve years old, Juniper, is one and a half and another is on the way soon.
So I built a new frame - this time with four wheels. I cut the old truck apart and welded it to the new frame. Once I had a good idea of how it would look I started work on the design of all the details.
I decided it would have fenders and a box this time around - complete with working tailgate to allow access to the motor. The motor is actually to be in the truck bed and so I am going to enclose the hood sides. This will allow me to open up the firewall to give me a little more leg room inside the cab. This evening I spent a little time in EnRoute designing the cutting files for all of the remaining metal work. It is going to be all welded steel with no bondo. We'll let it rust naturally and perhaps add a little weathered paint for a splash of color.
