Milton Train Works™

MTW-1001-bw Hopper car

This is an instance of my custom hopper car. This was my first custom model, going back to the Gary Louie Memorial Auction when I made and donated my first one. It's an oldie but a goodie, with over 50 copies now sold to happy fans world wide. Arguably this model started the whole custom model business, showing that it could be done.

Here's what you get

1. Instructions & Parts list in PDF format.

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-1001 product page (opens a new page)

MTW-1002-rw Bulkhead Flatcar

I completed development of this set in early August 2000, have made an initial production run of 10 units in red/black as pictured. A small modification was made to the trucks to enhance realism. I also added "tie down rails" (LEGO tubing) to the clips running from one end of the car to the other.

This model convinced me that the idea of custom kits had legs.

Here's what you get

1. Instructions & Parts list in PDF format.

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-1002 product page (opens a new page)

MTW-1003-rb Stockcar

Stockcars were an American invention, introduced in the mid 1800s as a way to transport livestock of various kinds. Thousands were used in great blocks by various western railroads to collect cattle from railheads in frontier towns such as Amarillo and Dodge City, and transport them to the great meat packing cities of Chicago and Kansas City, where the slaughterhouses awaited. Several of these were featured in my "Paiute, Wyoming" ISSC contest entry. There's a bit of homage to Lionel in this model as the horses are designed to rock as the car moves.

Here's what you get

1. Complete instructions in PDF format.
2. Step by step parts list in PDF format.

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-1003 product page (opens a new page)

MTW-1004-by Drop Center Flatcar

Drop Center flatcars are used around the world whenever a load needs to be transported by rail that is too tall for standard flatcars to carry and still satisfy clearance requirements. Thus this model is at home on both North American prototype layouts and others.

MTW-1004 is one of my favorites, and it has a transformer load. I offered this kit in two color schemes, you can build it in any scheme you like.

Here's what you get

1. Complete instructions in PDF format.
2. Step by step parts list in PDF format.

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-1004 product page (opens a new page)

MTW-1005 Combine and Cars

Never actually produced as a kit, and never before released to the public, this is my most elaborate freight model to date. The combine harvester is done in red and white, the colors of Massey Ferguson, partly for parts availability reasons and partly because MTW-5001 uses John Deere colors.

The load takes two cars to carry it one for the harvester head, and one for the body. The body is big enough that a drop center was used. Not strictly prototypical but it looks good. When assembled as a combine, the wheels drive the harvester head.

Here's what you get

1. Complete instructions in PDF format.
2. Step by step parts list in PDF format.

MTW-2001 SW Diesel Electric Switcher

This is a mid to late 20th century US prototype Diesel Electric Switcher. It does not follow any specific prototype exactly but I was heavily influenced by EMD and to a lesser extent, Alco, switchers. Lots of variation is possible, this one has been produced in many colors.

The instructions make a white version but I have included a color scheme document so you can see some of the possible variations. People have ordered this in many different schemes, at last count over a dozen, but the yellow and gray of Union Pacific was always the most popular one so that's what the render shows.

Here's what you get

1. Complete instructions in PDF format.
2. Step by step parts list in PDF format.
3. Color Schemes diagram in PDF format.

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-2001 product page (opens a new page)

MTW-5001-yg Big Green Farm Equipment

This is a set of two Big Green tractors and pull behind accessories. The color scheme was chosen as an homage to John Deere but it's not an actual licensed product.

Every layout needs a rural section and these tractors will accent that nicely. As their namesake equipment manufacturer has a worldwide presence, these models will be at home on any layout. You get designs for both a modern tractor and one that has been back dated a bit so it would be at home on layouts as early as the 1930s. You also get a wagon and a sprayer.

Here's what you get

1. Complete instructions in PDF format.
2. 

For more information on this model, you can view the MTW-5001 product page (opens a new page)

Bonus: MTW-1006 Hydro

A hydrogen tanker is a relatively rare specialty car. Because of the great pressure under which hydrogen is carried, it uses multiple tubes. The model simulates this with lots of 1x1 rounds.

Here's what you get

1. MPD source file suitable for use with MLCad or other LDraw compatible programs (see below)

Bonus: MTW-1101 Caboose

This is a conventional caboose with cupola. However the cupola is an extra stud wide to allow for better visibility. You may have to root around to get the 3 wide windows it uses. Features some interior details.

Here's what you get

1. MPD source file suitable for use with MLCad or other LDraw compatible programs (see below)

Bonus: Union Pacific SW calf variant of MTW-2001

This is a "calf", a cabless switch engine usually tethered to a "cow" or cabbed switch engine, to allow for multiple unit use. It has a prime mover, unlike a "slug" which has just traction motors. Union Pacific colors. Goes well with the MTW-2001 (one is mated to it on the left of the image).

Here's what you get

1. MPD source file suitable for use with MLCad or other LDraw compatible programs (see below)

Bonus: Spreader add-on for MTW-5001

This is a manure spreader add-on, just another implement that your MTW-5001 tractors can pull.

Here's what you get

1. MPD source file suitable for use with MLCad or other LDraw compatible programs (see below)