Large scale, gauge-1 logging disconnects with logs

Large scale, gauge-1 logging disconnects with logs
LGB of America
6444 Nancy Ridge Dr
San Diego, CA 92121
Check your local dealer for pricing and availability
Web site: www.lgboa.com

Injection-molded-plastic logging disconnects with plastic logs; two pair of disconnects and two different logs of roughly the same diameter in each box; hook-and-loop couplers installed; link-and-pin couplers supplied, to be added by the modeler
Pros: Crisp detail, accurate representation of typical disconnect trucks; logs look very convincing
Cons: Unladen disconnects are very light; shiny finish on trucks makes them appear toy-like under the realistic logs; logs not weather resistant

ks were common on many logging lines, particularly in the west where trees were larger. The idea behind these is that the log itself becomes the “frame” of the car, eliminating the unnecessary weight inherent in other log cars. Depending on the specific truck design, a “rooster pole”-essentially a wood beam with a metal loop at either end-could be used in addition to the logs to keep the two trucks together if the weight of the log and the chain attaching it to the frame was thought to be insufficient.

LGB’s disconnect logging trucks have been around for a while. What makes this release of the trucks “new” is the inclusion of the molded-plastic logs. These come two to a set, and each log in the set is different. There are two different sets of logs, too. One “smaller” set (#45775), if 2.5″ diameter can be considered small; and a larger 3.5″-diameter set (#45770). The logs are very well done and have the look and texture of the large redwood logs seen in old logging photos. Each log is around 13″ long. They’re lighter than a “real” log of that size, so you won’t overtax your locomotive by pulling a long string of these up steep grades. The included literature states that the logs are not weather resistant, but doesn’t go into why they aren’t. They are plastic, so my guess would be that they may not be UV stable.

The trucks come with a snap-in cradle designed to better support the 2.5″-diameter logs. Each has a metal chain designed to be wrapped around the log to hold it in place. The chain is long enough to wrap around the 3.5″-diameter logs without the cradles. It’s too long to fit snugly with the 2.5″ logs in the cradles, but can easily be shortened by removing the excess links. I’m not sure I’d rely on the chain to hold the log to the truck (and the trucks together), so I’d keep the rooster pole connected beneath the logs.

Each truck comes with hook-and-loop couplers on one end and a link-and-pin socket on the other. LGB included extra sockets in the box, so modelers can add them should they desire. Also included are extra hooks and two extra rooster poles to connect to additional trucks the modeler may have purchased.

The trucks are painted a glossy, ruddy brown, almost a maroon. I think they look out of place beneath the realistic-looking logs. The modeler could spray them with matte finish once they are out of the box.
My biggest complaint about these trucks is that they’re quite light. When carrying the logs, this isn’t so much an issue, but when running empty, there’s no real weight to help them roll smoothly. The addition of metal wheels would greatly improve their operation. These can be added without too much difficulty.

Overall, I like these cars. The logs are very well done, and I’ve always liked disconnects, even if they weren’t used on the eastern logging lines from which I draw inspiration. LGB doesn’t state a particular scale but, in this case, the cars are fairly adaptable to anything from 1:24 to 1:20.3. A string of these would look great behind any of the popular logging locomotives being produced today.