The truck is modified from an HO scale Woodland Scenics white metal kit, built up with styrene from the windshield back (over the course of about a year
). The figures were collected from many places over the years, mostly Revell building kits. I only remember for certain that the big guy climbing the side is from a 1/72 Monogram B-29 kit.The reference is from a book I had borrowed from the DesPlaines Public Library-- searching their catalog, it's probably Chicago Transit by David Young, but I don't remember for sure.
This model gets lots of praise-- I think it's either because of the CSL's pleasing color scheme or all those busy guys to capture the eye. It won my first NMRA Merit Award and a President's Choice at the Midwest Region convention in Green Bay in 2003.
I caught a glimpse yesterday of similar trucks being used in the Howard Hughes biographical movie "The Aviator", when they were moving the Spruce Goose parts across town, to lift the overhead wires clear.
Thanks for looking!
-Sean.
