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Rank: Advanced Member
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Toy Trucker and Contractor announced a Northwest 80D shovel in 1/50 scale as their 2023 show model. Manufactured by Speccast. Should be a nice model of an old timer. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=556011706546859&set=a.444208844393813
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WOW that will be pretty cool and a decent price. My EMD R-50s will finally have a loading tool!
Still Plays with Toys
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Great news, I'd forgotten this was in the pipeline! I hope it's available to buy in the UK
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So was this the model that someone had posted about last year or the year before that Speccast wanted to produce something but wouldn’t say? I vaguely remember that.
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Yes. This is the model TT&C said they were considering for the 2023 show but wouldn't say what it was at the time.
They typically announce the show models in February.
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It's been quite a long time since I've posted anything here. I was always hoping a 1:50 Northwest 80-D shovel model would be produced, to go with my Alan Smith 95 pullshovel. Apparently it seems that the version of the 80-D shovel to be produced as a model will be the later version featuring the Capsule Cab, rather than the earlier "breadbox" house that was on previous iterations, going by the ad copy and the photo of an actual machine.. I was hoping that the earlier house would have been produced, as it was the more iconic version of that legendary machine. I had hoped to display the earlier version in a "period" 1950s to 1970s diorama featuring Mack B-61, B-81 or DM-800 dump trucks. Nevertheless, it will still be welcomed in my Northwest collection.
My hope is that the model is done correctly. I have my criticisms of early Northwest models. On the models produced for the previous Model 25 versions, the reeving was wrong, the main drums (in which the actual machines have separate side-by-side drums for hoist and drag functions), the main drums were made as a single piece, and what would be the boom hoist drum was used for hoist or drag functions, with the line emerging from a hole in the house. On the shovel version, the dipper door was non-operable. Yet on those models, the house, and operable tracks were beautifully and accurately done.
My reference for a small 1:50 convertible machine is the EMD Bucyrus-Erie 22-B versions, which were beautifully created, with every detail done correctly. In my view with a larger machine like an 80-D, there should be no reason for it to have major flaws. At that size, the reeving should be correct. The drums should be separate. The dipper door should open/close. Hopefully the crowd/retract for the dipper stick is functional. The tracks should be the same quality as done on the Model 25 version produced some years ago.
Let's hope that this will be a model we will be happy to own.
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I would assume over time there will be other versions with a crane or dragline like the 25D model series Speccast produced..
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TT&C has posted more information on their website.
Only one version will be produced. Just the front shovel. No later versions.
limited to about 1250 pieces.
Retail at about $250.00
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How and where can you buy it?
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I believe DHS will carry them. Toy Trucker has them listed for preorder on their website also.
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For those in the UK, I've emailed Jon Hall at diecastconstruction.co.uk to see if he can get hold of some from Speccast. He's looking into it. I would love one of these!!!
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TT&C added some 3d printed prototype photos on their website. It looks pretty good. It does have the new cab and what appears to be 3 working drums.
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It looks like I'll have to modify this model, as there are corrections required. I had the strong feeling that there would be issues. The right drum, as seen from the front if you were standing in front of the machine should NOT be a drum, but instead the retract sprocket for the crowd/retract function of the dipper stick. The crowd chain goes from the sprocket to the crowd drum at the base of the boom, and returns to the crowd sprocket (driven by the crowd clutch) the returns to the retract sprocket. The crowd/retract ropes operate off the crowd drum on the base of the boom. The left drum (closest to the operator) is the hoist drum, whose rope goes up to the left point sheeve down to the bucket padlock sheeve, back up to the right point sheeve, and should take a few wraps around the crowd drum at the base of the boom.
It looks like the hoist/ retract drums are a single piece, not two separate drums, as they should.
I see two holes in the house for operating two drums. It looks like the boom hoist is reeved from a drum operated by the lower-front hole, while the dipper is operated by the upper hole. Also it seems to me that the dipper door does not open. The boom hoist reeving will need correction
I hope corrections are made to the model before release. I doubt they will, so I'll have to make the corrections. See my earlier criticisms in a previous post.
As an avid Northwest fan, one who co-authored four books on the Northwest machines, I am one who desires accuracy, and I really want this done correctly.
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I concur with all the points mariot has laid out, and have yet another to add to his list. WTF is going on with the triple-grouser track shoes??? I've never seen an 80-D that didn't have the flat shoes with 8 holes drilled in s simple, but distinct pattern.
As the model is at least 7 months out, NOW is the time to attempt an intervention while the project is in the mock-up stage!
While I have a decent size Northwest archive; it surely pales in comparison to the sheer volume you, Matt F., and Dimitri T. possess! I'm going to scan some appropriate brochure pages and send them to both SpecCast and TT&C and express my strong reluctance to pre-order any of the models because of all the "issues" with the prototype.
Perhaps somebody more computer savvy than I can put a petition online? I will work to conjure some support from collectors abroad and get the word. Until then, everybody that cares about how this model turns out should at least make their voices heard!!
In the end, it doesn't take any more effort to make the model right from the get-go, and the resources are being provided to them. Sadly, the old saying "you can lead a horse to water, but cannot make it drink" often prevails today as egos are so easily bruised and injured.
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Hello all. This is only my second post on this forum. I check it several times each day, but don't post. I am the guy who suggested this model to Cathy Scheibe at the Toy Trucker magazine. What I really wanted was a pullshovel, but apparently they couldn't find one to measure, so it will be a shovel instead. Those who know much more than I are correctly pointing out that the drums are not entirely correct, nor the tracks. It would be great for those who know more to contact Spec-Cast, although I suspect that by now they are pretty far along. The adage "do not let the perfect become the enemy of the good" comes to mind. This is not a CCM brass model from circa 1990, but it won't cost as much as a CCM model. I will be OK to take what is produced, but if some of you can persuade Spec-Cast to make it better, more Murphy diesel power to you.
All the best to all of you.
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I will try to make this a quick reply. The major issues brought up as problems by mariot are being addressed. diggerr, SpecCast was already aware the tracks are not accurate and are changing them. Cat20, this will be the only model of the 80D Shovel. No other models will be made from this tool and it is exclusive to Toy Trucker & Contractor. At this time the only two places pre orders can be made is from DHS and Toy Trucker & Contractor. One of the reasons for the delay for this model is that we want it to be done correctly. Pullshovel52 So happy you posted here and sorry that this was not the exact version you wanted made but rest assured the final product will be better. Keep watching our website, toytrucker.com for up to date information. Cathy Scheibe
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Good day all,
As mentioned before, my desire for this long-awaited model is that it is an accurately-potrayed replica of the full-size machine.
As Pullshovel52 rightly points out, this not intended to be a CCM-class model, in order that it remain affordable to the widest range of collectors. As Northwest Engineering Company was a legendary manufacturer that served on construction projects all over, a model of an 80-D shovel was long desired. Although my opinion was such that the model be of the earlier version that had the rounded house, rather than the later Capsule Cab version, the model will still be welcomed, as I have mentioned in my first post on this subject. Also as the generation of operators of these machines are being lost, a model honoring their contributions should be rendered as true to form as possible.
I am happy to hear that the issues concerning the tracks has been addressed. My major concerns are centered on the reeving, which actually may not be a major item to fix, nor should those corrections cause unesessary additional costs or time. I have given thought as to how the reeving can be corrected and have contacted SpecCast: hopefully they will return my phone messages. I have called on two different occasions. I am willing to send drawings, literature, and anything else that may be required. I am also hoping that wherever SpecCast is in the development phase of the project, that it is not too late to address any issues.
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Wow, it's great to have replies from the people involved! I would love to get myself one of these, but I'm in the UK so I'm hoping www.diecastconstruction.co.uk can have some available for us Brits/Europeans. Can that happen? I hope so. Cheers, Jamie
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Hello all,
It was nice of Cathy to take the time to post. From speaking with her, I know she is getting Mario together with SpecCast engineers to discuss the model as well as some others who are experts on this machine. So they intend for it to be made right. Please be aware that the photos are early pics and the model is not finished yet - so more photos will be coming when they are available.
DHS has been selected to distribute this product as well as the Toy Trucker website. Get your orders in early as we do expect a sellout. Also note the model is being made as a one-time deal. The tooling will not be used to make other versions of the same machine. So this may be your only chance to own a Northwest Shovel.
Thank you all for your interest. Delivery on these models will likely be late 2023. We will keep you updated as we know more.
Chuck
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toytrucker wrote:I will try to make this a quick reply. The major issues brought up as problems by mariot are being addressed. diggerr, SpecCast was already aware the tracks are not accurate and are changing them. One of the reasons for the delay for this model is that we want it to be done correctly. Pullshovel52 So happy you posted here and sorry that this was not the exact version you wanted made but rest assured the final product will be better. Keep watching our website, toytrucker.com for up to date information. Cathy Scheibe Hi Cathy, Thanks for posting! I take some relief in reading that the concerns of collectors are actually being "heard" and these matters are being addressed. Personally, I do not care how things are configured internally as functionality is most important. If the hoists and crowd are operable, I'll be satisfied (bucket door must open as well!). You are in the best possible hands going forward with "mariot" providing the documentation and images for ultimate accuracy to both you and SpecCast. He is part of the triumvirate of Northwest Engineering specialists extant!!
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