Fig. 359.—Spool Wheels.
The Cars for this railway will have their trucks constructed alike, and it is a simple matter to transform a car from one style into another. [Figure 358] shows a top view of a truck. For the bed of this cut a three-eighths-inch board twelve inches long by two and one-quarter inches wide, and, after rounding the ends as shown in the drawing, cut a mortise at A and B two and three-eighths inches from either end. Procure two one and one-half inch spools for wheels, and drive a wooden peg through the hole in each, cutting off the ends so they project a little beyond the hole, as shown in [Fig. 359]. Then bore four holes in the edges of the truck-bed with a gimlet at C, D, E, and F (see [drawing]), and, after setting the spools in mortises A and B, pivot them in place with small finishing nails driven into the wooden pegs. These nails should fit loosely in the gimlet holes. In order to drive them into the exact centres of the spools, it is best to locate these points upon the ends of the pegs before placing the spools in the frame. A quarter-inch hole should be bored in the top of the truck-bed at G and H ([Fig. 358]) in which to fasten the two uprights I and J (see [Fig. 360]). Make the uprights four inches long and whittle a peg upon the lower ends to fit holes G and H (see [Fig. 361]). Bore a hole with a gimlet in the top of each and run a piece of heavy wire from one to the other, bending it as shown in [Fig. 360]. Fasten K between I and J, as shown. Place a small brass ring upon the wire before you fasten it in place. A small hook should be screwed into one end of the truck and a screw-eye into the other end for couplings, should you wish to hitch two or more cars together.
Figs. 360-361.
A Gondola Car, such as shown in [Fig. 362], should have its truck made similar to [Fig. 358], with the exception that it should be two inches shorter, in order that cigar-box strips can be used for the side-pieces. Cut the strips an inch and one-half high and fasten them to the bed of the car with brads. This car may be used as a trailer.
Fig. 362.—A Gondola Car.
The car shown in [Fig. 360] is a rather crude affair, but with a little more work may be transformed into a better-looking car—