Jordan Spreader - Ready to Run

Whenever PROTO is mentioned as a manufacturer it always means two things; they will be accurately detailed and very expensive. In this case it is where art meets model. I don't model GTW or SOO but I do model SP so I have model number 110105, SPMW 4000. This is not exactly an SP spreader reproduction but it is very close indeed. Someone at Walthers did their homework with regard to the trucks. On the SP both the spreaders and the flangers didn't have springs in the trucks. Too unstable for the spreader and you didn't want a flanger bouncing up and down. This model represents earlier steam era equipment. Modern spreaders had a motor driving a generator for electrical needs and the wings were powered by hydraulics. This model is powered by air being used in a snow removal consist comprised of this car, a Broadway Limited AC-4 and a Proto caboose. The real artwork is in the design and intricacy of the wings. They are fully functional. When extended the rams slide out of the cylinders and is extremely accurate and retract when the wings are folded up s-l-o-w-l-y. On the interior case in letters too large to miss it says that the wings are delicate and need you to “open and position carefully” in case you are going to use this in a diorama or actually running it as if it were being employed. They mean it because of all the fine detail I have described. I was timid about doing it and only did it once to make sure the wings worked properly. There is full brake rigging under the car. To improve looks I painted the wooden steps and put a Kadee scale head short shank coupler on the rear of the car and you could put a dummy coupler on the nose. The down-side list is very short. It’s pretty light at 81g. I have four KATO #6 switches and it just doesn’t like the frogs whether being shoved or trailing. It has no trouble with all the other switches including #4 witches. The plow isn’t quite right for SP and I knew that going in, but that is a small concession to make. There is one anachronism in that it has a brake wheel instead of a staff brake. Unfortunately there is no way to install working lights because there isn't any room. This model is a winner and I hope they release a flanger soon. If they do I will pre-order one, now that I know what I can expect. You’ll get your money’s worth and you won’t be disappointed, so you can buy with confidence.