Comments ...... from 10 years later: This month in history saw the introduction of the Atlas Ford LNT-9000 truck tractor, one of the best truck tractor models of a North American prototype ever produced. The weak wheels notwithstanding, this cab tooling still holds up as one of the best ever! The still-born Trucks N' Stuff Peterbilt 377 never got off the ground, Resin Unlimited has come and gone producing some very nice resin model kits and both Williams Brothers and Puget Sound have both fallen by the wayside. Bob Johnson - webmaster. [posted 02/20/2008]
Atlas Model Railroad Company has entered the HO vehicle market with a Ford LNT9000 and 45' Pines intermodal van trailer. Although identified as a 1984 year model, the same basic configuration was manufactured from 1970 until 1997. The Ford comes in 8 different solid colors and the trailers come decorated in 9 lettering schemes. Each model is also available undecorated.
Brookfield Collectors Guild will soon have their first HO scale model, a P&H mining shovel. This is a different model than the Conrad produced model released several years ago. [This project has been canceled as of November, 1998]
Classic Construction Models will releasing its next brass model of the Caterpillar IT28 Integrated Tool Carrier in February, #6 in a series of 12 Caterpillar authorized models. Also coming is a limited production brass model of a Link Belt crane.
Custom Finishing recently released a Kershaw RCH 100 ton mobile wrecking crane (item #7030) in kit form made of pewter, brass tubing (for hydraulics) and clear laser cut window glazing. Also available are an 18 ton, 3 axle equipment trailer with working pintle hook (item #7048) and a 50' heavy duty two axle gooseneck lowboy trailer (item #7047).
Ertl has announced a premium John Deere harvesting combine model to supplement their current line of farm equipment. Also announced were plans for a backhoe construction tractor.
Lonestar Models will ship in February a "bobtail" straight truck flatbed lumber hauler. Available as a complete unit with cab and chassis (includes the Herpa Ford LTA9000) or the bed only in black, red, or undecorated. Retails for $16.95 with the truck cab and chassis or $9.95 for the bed only. Model includes decals to match the Walthers Cornerstone Series #3057 Lumber Yard kit (Walton & Sons Lumber Co.), Atlas #750 lumber yard kit (Hillsdale Lumber & Milling Co.), the Weyerhauser, Trussway, and Boise Cascade. Also shipping is assembled versions of the previously released Barrett Livestock trailer (current style), retailing for $44.95.
Puget Sound Casting Service has almost 40 cab models of high quality resin construction with open interior that fit existing truck chassis. Models cover eras from the 1950s through the 1980s. They also produce many unique trailer and equipment kits. [Puget Sound Casting has since ceased operations]
Resin Unlimited has announced a Pulpwood Forwarder six wheel drive model which retails for $21.99. [As far as we know Resin Unlimited has ceased operations]
ROCO has announced a new U.S. military tractor and tanker combination (M931 and M969A1).
Special Edition Railroad Models, well known for their high quality screen printing of N scale equipment, has entered the HO scale market with several custom decorated A-Line containers.
Trident will be shipping soon a US Army M917 20 ton dump truck (item #90089). A yellow version that could also be used for a civilian model (item #90093) is also planned.
Trucks 'N Stuff expects to release soon their first truck tractor model, the Peterbilt 377. Also announced is a smooth side 53' van trailer and 53' refrigerated van.
Williams Bros. has announced a 1950 Chevy stakebed truck and a 1995 Chevy Caprice. Each retails for $5.45.
